The Dubliner magazine, together with Jamesons Irish Whiskey.. Mmmm.. are asking What is the Best Irish Film of All Time?. In order to qualify, the film you choose must satisfy two of the following requirements: 1. Made in Ireland 2. Irish director 3. Irish producer 4. Starring Irish actors… and they’ve got plenty of excellent films to choose from.. and a few not-so-excellent.. Far and Away??.. sheesh.. but they will accept other nominations.. Excalibur?.. As long as it isn’t The Quiet Man.. *shakes head*
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I found this little thread while doing a search on google and thought I’d add my 2 cents to this argument.
First of all the very nature of the question is a little biased as it is seeking an Irish movie thats not the Quiet Man and several people on this board seem to have fallen into this trap.
Roger you are to forceful in your support for the movie.
Davros you do seem to be living in a different world when you participate in this conversation all you can do is knock the movie for what you perceive to be Irish stereotypes. You fail however to mention how integrated within the movie there are people with genuine belief in their religion and a certain tolerance between the Protestants and Catholics, which is always nice to see. Of course its obvious that this is a quality movie Winton Hochs cinematography is stunning and the Technicolor processing makes the movie a visual treat. The electricity between Ohara and Wayne is superb and the entire movie has this fairytale feel to it. Yes there are Irish stereotypes loveable priests and beer swilling Irishmen but its harmless and inoffensive and yes it is the best Irish movie.
Davros for you a quality Irish movie would be something along the lines of ‘flying saucers rock and roll’ but I’ll have The Quiet man any day of the week.
Davros for you a quality Irish movie would be something along the lines of ‘flying saucers rock and roll’ but I’ll have The Quiet man any day of the week.
Bit of a giveaway the last paragraph 🙂 I wonder which regular ?
I don’t think there have been any “great” Irish films in the sense that we have produced great plays, prose and poetry.
Just watched Into the West DVD, about the only decent thing to come out of Sunday Independant in 20 years!
I enjoyed Into the West, and I’m looking forward to seeing Millions and MickeyBo and Me. Just call me a sucker for those two yound boys against the world movies.
As for the issue of Irish films, I think the industry/art is fairly new and will take some time to fully develop. When there are a hundred movies to choose from that meet all 4 of The Dubliner’s criteria for Irishness, then you won’t have to have arguments about which American movie about Ireland is better than which English movie about Ireland.
The Quiet Man, to me, is one of the most enjoyable movies I have ever seen. The fact that it happens to be of an Irish persuasion is irrelevant. It’s a warm, happy movie that people with good in their hearts can relate to and really enjoy. For the rest of you, I’m sorry.
Certainly, there were a number of Irish actors and actresses in it, and the location filming adds to its authenticity as well.
In any case, it doesn’t seem worth arguing about, everybody is entitled to his or her own opinion, and no one is likely to change another’s opinion.
Darby O’Gill and the Little People runs a close second to The Quiet Man (OK, I realize it might not officially qualify, but it sure makes me think Ireland!).
The Quiet Man, to me, is one of the most enjoyable movies I have ever seen. The fact that it happens to be of an Irish persuasion is irrelevant. It’s a warm, happy movie that people with good in their hearts can relate to and really enjoy. For the rest of you, I’m sorry.
Certainly, there were a number of Irish actors and actresses in it, and the location filming adds to its authenticity as well.
In any case, it doesn’t seem worth arguing about, everybody is entitled to his or her own opinion, and no one is likely to change another’s opinion.
Darby O’Gill and the Little People runs a close second to The Quiet Man (OK, I realize it might not officially qualify, but it sure makes me think Ireland!).
The Boondock Saints should qualify hands down. Ultra violent but totally hilarious.
Best irish movie;
Spare me the tweeness of the past.
I think ‘guilt trip’ was fantastic, as was the recent ‘Halo Effect’.
However I think the best Irish film never made would be ‘Eureka Street’ – I’d sell me granny to see that on the big screen.
the quiet man is popular in many counties of the world as it has some grand footage of the countryside of ireland. it tells a story which many of us have forgotten in the modern age of voilence and bad language which appears to be the standard of todays movies. i for one don’t know many of the other movies listed but i do know TQM and as it was asked for your personal vote for the movie that you liked then each to our own and we should have the right to vote for the movie we liked the best without having to defend our choice. i feel if a movie will help with the tourism to the country why put it down it has to be doing something right to get the people over to ireland and spending the tourist dollar there
‘man about dog’,’the commitments’ or ‘the van’ should win, and I’m sure there’s more brilliant film’s that I can’t think of now. Personally, when it comes to making Irish films, I think the comedies are always the best
‘man about dog’,’the commitments’ or ‘the van’ should win, and I’m sure there’s more brilliant film’s that I can’t think of now. Personally, when it comes to making Irish films, I think the comedies are always the best
100 posts so far and no-one’s mentioned Eat the Peach, surely the Irish film of the early 80s and a cert in any Irish Top 10.
100 posts so far and no-one’s mentioned Eat the Peach, surely the Irish film of the early 80s and a cert in any Irish Top 10.
Seems I’m not the only one whom thinks that TQM is the best Irish movie.
Coincidentally, guess what film was on here (in Finland) yesterday … i’ll give a few clues: John Wayne … a red haired cailín … paddywhackery … TQM ! Dat’s right Surr, to be sure. It seems no nation is spared!
What about Saving Private Ryan. Made in Ireland with some minor Irish actors and thousands of FCA extras.
Maca,
What are you doing in Finland? My wife has been there twice and is a huge fan of the country. Is it a lot like Ireland, as I suspect, what with all the bogs and all? Except for the reindeer and saunas, that is. And the north of Finland is almost like a different country, isn’t it?
Oh yes, and the Finns sincerely hate their eastern neighbors, the Russians, causing them to end up on the wrong side during WWII.
Oh, and sorry, I forgot to say something about movies….
Oh, yes, Cillian Murphy from Cork is in the new Batman movie! And, Liam Neeson of Ballymena, too.
Maca,
What are you doing in Finland? My wife has been there twice and is a huge fan of the country. Is it a lot like Ireland, as I suspect, what with all the bogs and all? Except for the reindeer and saunas, that is. And the north of Finland is almost like a different country, isn’t it?
Oh yes, and the Finns sincerely hate their eastern neighbors, the Russians, causing them to end up on the wrong side during WWII.