The Wind That Shakes the Barley1

Ken Loach's film is set in Ireland in 1920. It is four years since the Irish Volunteers led by Patrick Pearce and the Irish Citizen Army led by James Connolly staged a rebellion in Dublin against British rule. This rebellion, known as the Easter Rising of 1916, was put down, but the decision of the British to execute several of the leaders alienated public opinion.

In the 1918 general election Sinn Fein (‘We Ourselves’) totally defeated the Irish Parliamentary Party. They became the first Dail, or independent party in Dublin, headed by Eamon de Valera. The British attempt to smash Sinn Fein led to the War of Independence of 1919-1921. The Irish forces were led by Michael Collins. After more than two years of guerrilla war a truce was agreed. In December 1921 the Anglo-Irish Treaty was signed and twenty-six counties gained independence as the Irish Free State. The six counties of Ulster were given their own parliament in 1920 and remained within the United Kingdom.

The establishment of the Free State was followed by a civil war between the new government and those who opposed the Treaty. There followed a truce in May 1923, but the civil war claimed the lives of many who had been involved in the fight for independence.

Loach's film is set in and around Bandon, a small town just outside of Cork city. He concentrates on events at a grass-roots level, and shows to great effect the struggle of ordinary Irish people who organize themselves to fight against oppressive rule. The film is about the brutalization of people. It is not just about what the British did to the Irish but what the Irish did to their fellow Irish. It looks at what drives ordinary men and women to politics and violence.

The story centres around Damien and his older brother Teddy. Damien's character as softly spoken, sensitive younger brother is countered by Teddy's man of action. Damien is a young doctor set to go to London to practise medicine.

The scene is set when a group of lads, having enjoyed an illega