Top Films about Ireland
Far and Away
When Ireland is portrayed in a film it’s usually a stereotype of drunks, horses, fighting and thatched cottages. All this is present in Ron Howard’s Far and Away. It’s a film that appears to have been made by a group of people who never set foot in Ireland. It’s a shame that it was shot there!
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The Commitments
Alan Parker’s adaptation of Roddy Doyle's novel was something of a revelation upon its release in the early 1990s. Strong performances and an outstanding soundtrack mean that this film is a minor modern classic – and it manages not to live up to any negative imagery.
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Once
John Carney directed this pseudo-musical about a Dublin busker and his relationship with an immigrant single mother whom he meets in the streets. It’s not as depressing as it sounds, and this low-budget film has a lot of heart and a great soundtrack!
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Bloody Sunday
Paul Greengrass' 2002 political drama is based on real events which took place in Derry, Ireland in January 1972. It pioneers Greengrass’ love of shaky-cam, but it also has a lot of depth and accuracy as it was shot on the streets of Derry and Dublin. Keen Screen Rant readers might even be able to spot me in the background of the film... somewhere.
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Darby O'Gill and the Little People
If you thought that Far and Away was filled with blarney - then you haven’t seen Darby O’Gill. This Disney film is a total Irish fairy tale and although it’s pure... I’m not totally sure what it is – but I have to admit that it’s great fun!
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The Quiet Man
John Ford’s John Wayne starrer was shot in Ireland back in 1952 and it has been adopted by Irish people all over the world. A true classic, this is a film that is still watched on a continuous loop in many Irish homes today.
Honorable mentions:
In the Name of the Father, My Left Foot, I Went Down and The Crying Game
That's it folks. I'm sure that you have your own favorites - so let loose in the comments section!