Diagonaldi Very well executed

SeeQuant Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction

ChampDavSlim The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

Stephanie There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

stiglaidlaw Ken Loach does what he does best - give a dramatic cinematic experience, that combines his political worldview and historic accuracy into something that ticks all the boxes. As a socialist as well, it's especially brilliant to see the portrayal of the two currents out of the Irish Independence Movement - a labor-oriented, socialist, revolutionary current and the bourgeois nationalist movement. The "family feud" isn't really a family feud at all but a debate between these two currents. We can see the today the result of this battle.The scenery is beautiful, the costumes, and the brilliant acting performances only help create a more immersive story. There is depth in the characters, and the ability for them to be both opportunistic, principled and shift in their orientation to some of the main questions of the time. Ken Loach has done a brilliant job in creating a historical work of art - his realism in his films is picture perfect in this film and really sets the bar for any future films covering the Irish Independence Movement.

FedRev The Wind that Shakes the Barley is a politically sophisticated war film set during the Irish War of Independence and the Irish Civil War between the years of 1919 and 1923. The film has a very authentic sensibility and depicts the war between the Irish Republican Army and the occupying British force. The British harass, intimidate, and murder the locals in their attempt to squash the rebellion, and the Irish utilize guerrilla tactics to ward off their occupiers. The film centers around two brothers who fight together for the IRA, and then later against each other on opposite sides of the Civil War after a compromise had been reached with the British. Barley examines two ideologies: one, the principle that people should fight to completely free themselves of oppression and imperialist occupation, and two, that the occupied should resist just enough to force concessions from the imperialists. The second faction turns on the first when they continue to fight for complete independence even after the Irish government signs a treaty with the British. While Loach's film portrays both factions in the Civil War with generally equal time, it's clear his film sides with the Republicans who didn't compromise their principles and continued to fight for freedom and true independence, and rightfully so.

GUENOT PHILIPPE It's one of the best Ken Loach's movies ever. A real gem which learns us many unknown things about war between Irish fighters and the British ones. Everything in this film is awesome. I won't add anything much to the other comments. But just only one little thing. When I watched it for the first time, just after actually, something in the story reminded me another war film gem: BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER KWAI. Know what I am talking about?The scheme where the true leader of the "good men" reveals himself a traitor at the end. This scheme seems not have been noticed by the viewers. Watch it again, and then the David Lean's masterpiece. And compare.

Branden Murphy The Wind that Shakes the Barley is an inspirational film of dedication and perseverance. It delves into the world of family division and fighting for a seemingly hopeless cause. Teddy fights for a resolve to the oppression of the English but his younger brother Damien strives for complete emancipation. Through dialogue, camera angles and plot the film gives the impression that the potentially fatal devotion to liberty Damien has is correct and justified. The director positions the viewer to agree with and accept Damien's idealistic pursuit.The film seems to follow Damien as the main character; the director focuses on him. Out of all the pertinent characters, Damien has the most development. He has story lines aside from the battle for freedom. We relate to Damien and therefore believe his stand points are just and reasonable. Damien has a girl in his life. He has someone to worry about beside himself. He is fighting for her safety as well as his own. The director intentionally expanded on Damien's character more than his opposite Teddy. Damien had close friendships with other characters. Damien and Dan's relationship grew as the plot carried on. Through the conversations he had with Dan parts of his personality and opinions were displayed. The writer did not give any of the other men a more dimensional character, beside a soldier. Due to the humanization of Damien's character we are naturally drawn to view his goal as honourable and dignified.