Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

The Wind That Shakes the Barley
2006
***½
Director: Ken Loach
Cast: Cillian Murphy, Padraic Delaney, Orla Fitzgerald, Liam Cunningham, Myles Horgan, John Crean, Damien Kearney

Damien and Teddy are brothers and IRA guerrillas who strive for an independent Ireland. They fight shoulder to shoulder against the brutal British Black and Tan forces, but find themselves at odds when Ireland signs a compromise treaty in 1921. Ken Loach's strongly acted political drama alternates between explosive debates and fierce gun fights. This is a powerful film, although the personal story is somewhat dwarfed by the fate of the entire nation.