The Wind That Shakes The Barley (2006)

3.5

U.S. Release Date: 06/23/06
Running Length: 127 Minutes
MPAA Classification: NR
Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Cast: Cilian Murphy, Padraic Delaney, Liam Cunningham, Orla Fitzgerald
Director: Ken Loach
Screenplay: Paul Laverty
Cinematography: Barry Ackroyd
Music: George Fenton
U.S. Distributor: IFC Films

Review by: Carter Moulton

06/14/10

It’s too bad Barry Ackroyd couldn’t guest speak to the class during our Study Abroad program, because his film is beautiful. The Wind That Shakes The Barley is aesthetically pleasing, featuring an earth-toned palette—greens, browns, greys—with a subtle use of sunlight that occasionally frames characters’ head and shoulders. Ackroyd’s cinematography gives a refreshing splash of simplicity to a story that is historically complex.

Director Ken Loach has tucked a strong political statement into this period piece about the Irish War of Independence. This film has received some heat from critics because in it Loach, who was born in England, criticizes his homeland for its imperialistic reign over Ireland up until the 1920’s. Cilian Murphy stars as Damien, a doctor who finds himself caught in the middle of—and eventually leading—the battle for Irish independence. Complete independence. However, Damien finds himself fighting not only against Britain but against other Irishmen—including his brother Teddy (Padraic Delaney).

This may sound cliché, but the conflict is presented with care. This isn’t a film about the bloodiness of the battles—in fact, blood is rarely used in the film—so much as it is about the politics behind them. And because of this, we see Damien and Teddy as humans rather than pawns in a chess match.

Photo © IFC Films

Paul Laverty’s script doesn’t shy away from political issues of the time. We get a scene where a man is convicted of fraudulent interest rates by the Republic court. The man is of great use to the revolutionary movement, as he serves as a middleman for weaponry and ammunition. Teddy takes matters into his own hands, ignoring the court order and aiding the man in order to get a reasonable price on weapons. Others, including Damien, disagree with the action and think that order and principle are more important than ammunition. What good is a free country if morals and legislation are ignored?

Watching a human being contemplate whether or not to follow an order to shoot his friend is more disturbing than a healthy splattering of blood. We get a very unconventional acting style from the cast, as they occasionally stutter or stumble over their words during emotional debates. Loach’s decision to leave these human errors in the film fleshes out the characters and strengthens the film’s sense of genuineness.

The last shot of The Wind That Shakes The Barley is a long shot. A lonely bike rests against a home on the top half of the frame—for someone who won’t be returning home. It’s an unsettling shot. Keeping the camera held at this distance depicts the fragility and loneliness of the onscreen subject. A letter is delivered, and with it, a strong political message about imperialism.