Allison Haas on "The IRA on Film and Television: A History" | E3W Review of Books
One of the many strengths of this volume is the effort Connelly makes to place the cinematic history of the IRA within the broader context of Irish history and culture. This introductory chapter is followed by other chronological chapters which take the story through the Good Friday Agreement of leading to the official disbanding of the IRA, although rogue elements of the organization remain active. The organization of the volume detracts from any sustained analysis of how the IRA genre film might be employed to understand changes in Irish politics and culture.
Nevertheless, Connelly provides readers with a good overview of recent Irish history and an almost encyclopedic account of films dealing with the IRA. In this regard, Shake Hands with the Devil is an illustrative text.
Allison Haas on "The IRA on Film and Television: A History"
The Irish struggle against the British is presented in a sympathetic light. However, when the IRA leader Sean Lenihan James Cagney refuses to accept the treaty negotiated by Michael Collins, providing for Home Rule and eventual independence but allowing the six northern counties to maintain an affiliation with the United Kingdom, he is portrayed as a fanatic perpetuating violence. In addition, most films on Ireland fail to consider the role of Protestants living in the Republic or Northern Ireland.
The conflict is presented as a struggle among Irish Catholics or a conflict between the British and Irish. Thus, by leaving the Protestant population out of the picture, the complexity of the Irish situation is often simplified. One of the weaknesses of the book is its failure to provide much background information on the film productions, as Connelly elects to focus primarily on plot development.
He offers readers little information on the filmmakers or why some films were produced. And certainly some account of how the Irish film industry developed might help clarify the cultural politics of representing the IRA. The film is essentially sympathetic to Collins as a man who led an urban guerrilla warfare campaign against the British occupation but in the end was willing to risk his life for peace.
However, many critics in both the United States and Great Britain tended to view Collins through the lens of terrorism, and the film failed to earn the anticipated box office receipts. The Fox of Glenarvon In the back of the book is a huge list of movies and TV shows to pick from, along with a bibliography, Irish chronology and notes.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and will certainly be watching some of the movies and shows depicted i the book. I received a copy of this book from the author and was not monetarily compensated for my review.
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Jun 12, Peter rated it did not like it. Poorly written, with a clear lack of understanding of the wider points of The Troubles. No deep thought or analysis of either side of the conflict explored in actual depth.
The The IRA on Film and Television : A History
A vague collection of film synopses with no real exploration of the conflict. Fine as a reference for The IRA in film but nothing more.
Mercer Brady rated it really liked it Mar 18, Sojourner rated it it was amazing Oct 10, Tate Quinton rated it really liked it Oct 01, Megan added it Sep 05, Brenda Hill marked it as to-read Sep 28, Ciaran Bryden marked it as to-read May 09, Ellie is currently reading it Mar 09, There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Books by Mark Connelly. No trivia or quizzes yet.