Am i the only one who thinks........Average?

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

I've read a few reviews about this film and more often than Not there was a debate as to whether it glorifies war and/or the I.R.A., if it should be more pro-British or pro-Irish, if the director is a traitor and so on...I think all these reviews miss the crucial point this movie tries to make - and IMHO delivers quite brilliantly: There are no winners in war, and this rule applies even more when it is a civil war!I really don't get how people can argue about the points mentioned above when the film culminates in a scene where a man has to order the execution of his own brother!?!One thing that bothers me about the IMDb is that users often do not differentiate when they cast their vote - these "binary" votes of either one or ten stars are pretty useless and in my opinion a movie has to be exceptionally well to deserve a rating of even eight stars - but if THIS ONE doesn't deserve the full load of ten stars, no one does!!!Watch this movie, invite friends over and be sure to recommend it to others: I can't imagine that anyone in his or her right mind will dislike it on the basis of ANY political agenda - viewers should be able to cope with something other than a happy ending, though...

Shockingly poor with an almost child-like interpretation of historical events seen through the eyes of a dedicated Marxist. The British Army, storm troopers, forces of darkness while the IRA are a happy go lucky bunch of folk-singers, democrats and human rights activists. Honestly, I have never seen such nonsense in my entire life, it's so ridiculous it'd be funny if it wasn't for the damage it causes promoting the idea that was how the British behaved, when reality couldn't be more different.The IRA weren't the courageous freedom-loving heroes some would like to portray them as, no, instead they were murderous thugs intent on suppressing by knee-capping and murder anyone including women and children who stood in their way. They run the drugs and every other level of criminality in both Ireland and Northern Ireland supported financially by America who stood and smiled as innocent men, women and children were blown to pieces by these 'heroes'.What a political dinosaur you are Ken Loach, simplistic, naive and dangerous in your attempt as historical revisionism seen through the eyes of a dedicated Marxist, with your self-loathing channelled against your country as though the fault lies with it and not with you.

All wars and violent revolutions were "created" to solve some serious issues - often they did, but - in turn - brought forth new ones, with all means employed. Families were split and friendships were deprived, enemy figures changed faster that the years and solutions were interpreted according to own judgments and skills. Plus the fact that some people get used to fighting and long-term confrontation are unable to re-enter into "normal" civil life.The Wind That Shakes the Barley is a fine example of all this taking place during the Irish War of Independence (1919–1922) and the Irish Civil War (1922–1923) - through the eyes and fate of two brothers, Damien and Teddy O'Donovan, splendidly performed by Cillian Murphy and Pádraic Delaney, respectively. Tensions are maintained up high to the end, accentuated by fierce shooting events, brutal behaviour of the British soldiers and - last but not least - desolate Irish landscape and weather. All this seems realistic even to me who is unaware of those events, and the result is a strong and catchy war drama (according to Ken Loach style) - to be watched alone or in a company of like-minded, and although some women have significant role in the film, it does probably not bespeak contemporary women.

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.