Best Irish movies

snow scorpion

Honorable mentions:

The Snapper

The Field

Michael Collins

Waking Ned Devine

The Matchmaker


Second Prize goes to: The Committments

Is this the band then? Betcha U2 are ****tin' themselves.

Jimmy Rabbitte: Who're you, then?
Joey: Are you the one startin the band?
Jimmy Rabbitte: Yeah.
Joey: The name's Joseph Fagin. Joey "The Lips" Fagin.
Jimmy Rabbitte: [sarcastically] And I'm Jimmy "The Bollocks" Rabbitte
Joey: I get mine from my horn playing. How'd you get yours?
Jimmy Rabbitte: Don't get snotty with me.
Joey: I get snotty with no man.

Billy: And you... George Michael... you ever call me a ****in' eejit again, you'll go home with the drumsticks stuck up your hole... the one you don't sing out of.
Deco: That'll be the day.
Billy: I'm tellin' ya it's coming, so keep your Vaseline handy.




And the winner is: The Quiet Man

He'll regret it till his dying day, if ever he lives that long. There'll be no locks or bolts between us, Mary Kate... except those in your own mercenary little heart! Is it true? That behind me back, he's trying to steal White-a-morn right from under me nose?

SoupyNorman

Are you telling us or asking?

Zaph

Don't see Intermission on that list

p~b

the general and the van are the best irish movies ever

snow scorpion

bravestarr082 wrote:

Are you telling us or asking?

Giving my opinion.

I'd be happy to hear yours.

Hugh Hefner

Song Of a Raggy Boy is good. Honestly though, I'm never that inspired by Irish films. They just don't have that kick in them.

StonedParadoX

jesus your mad

take matchmaker , the field and michel collins off the list and put on intermission , the general , the van , angeles ashes , the magdelene sisters ,

thesteve

I Went Down was pretty good too and even got a mention in Total Film this month for one of the '50 excellent films you probably never heard of'

StonedParadoX

heh Total film is just getting better and better

TF!
i like Empire too but there not as good any more

SoupyNorman

snow scorpion wrote:

Giving my opinion.

I'd be happy to hear yours.

Ok so,

Intermission would be on the list if Colin (cant actually act) farrell wasnt in the film other then that the film is fantastic.

The Snapper is probably my favourite, almost every line is a classic!

In the name of the father
My left foot

Retr0gamer

And nobody mentioned the Field or the Quiet Man. Tsk, tsk.

The Field is on tonight if for anybody who wants to change their minds.

is_that_so

Retr0gamer wrote:

And nobody mentioned the Field or the Quiet Man. Tsk, tsk.

The Field is on tonight if for anybody who wants to change their minds.

Quiet Man is in OP but agree with you about the Field. Towering perfomance by Richard Harris.
I'd also include Man of Arran - a documentary from the 30s. Fascinating

mycroft

The Quiet Man is woeful not least because of the line "now c'mon cheer like prodestants"

My list

Inside I'm dancing

Eat the Peach

I Went Down (best review I heard for it was "at last an Irish film we don't have to pretend we like")

Feenikusu

Waking Ned Devine is a nice film, yep.

mycroft

Just out of curiousity how do you define what is or isn't an Irish Film? This is a debate that sparked endless tedious debate in college.

1. Waking Ned. Irish Cast, but British director, filmed in Isle of Man with US/ British Money.

2. The Quiet Man. Irish Cast, US crew, US director, US money, US lead.

3. The Snapper/ Commitments, BBC/US money, british directors, Irish Cast n Crew, Irish writer.

4. The Field. Irish cast and crew, and director US money.

5. Michael Collins, US money, manly Irish cast and crew, Irish director.

6. The General, Irish cast, British director, US/Irish money.

And so on, what makes an Irish film Irish?

is_that_so

mycroft wrote:

Just out of curiousity how do you define what is or isn't an Irish Film? This is a debate that sparked endless tedious debate in college.

1. Waking Ned. Irish Cast, but British director, filmed in Isle of Man with US/ British Money.

2. The Quiet Man. Irish Cast, US crew, US director, US money, US lead.

3. The Snapper/ Commitments, BBC/US money, british directors, Irish Cast n Crew, Irish writer.

4. The Field. Irish cast and crew, and director US money.

5. Michael Collins, US money, manly Irish cast and crew, Irish director.

6. The General, Irish cast, British director, US/Irish money.

And so on, what makes an Irish film Irish?

For me it is Irish based and ideally Irish staffed. Production is international these days and film makers will take their money from anyone who'll pay.

mycroft

is_that_so wrote:

For me it is Irish based and ideally Irish staffed. Production is international these days and film makers will take their money from anyone who'll pay.

Which would negate; for example, waking Ned and Alan Gillesnan's unreleased "timbuktu" (set and filmed mostly in morocco by an Irish crew), it could also mean the majority of Corman's recent films could be considered Irish because they mainly use Irish crew.

Also the Irish crew thing is a conudrum; my major bone of contention with the film board seducing films over to Ireland is this, any major or even medium budget film that's brought here by a foreign director will have an Irish grunt crew (ADs, camera teams, Sparks, etc....) but the HoD's (DOP, Art Director etc) will be brought in from abroad by the director, so while the Irish crew gets proficient on a technical level, the creative roles are all filled by foreigners. Consider intermission, Intermission may be Irish crewed but most HoD's have been brought in from abroad*

And then if you apply it has to be directed by an Irishman then East is East, Behind enemy lines, and Sahara all count as Irish films.

It's an interesting conudrum, if you're concerned about national pride and good home produced cinema.

* This isn't some jingoistic "foreigners coming 'ere and taking our jobs" rant, its more of a lament for the state of the Irish Industry in real terms. Its all well and good for John O'Donoghue to step up and have his photo taken with lassie, over and over again, but in the end of the day while it make create a few jobs, most of the HoD's and the director fly over here, shoot the film while the Irish crew stop the traffic, lay the cables, and serve the food, and then the americans or british or whomever bugger off home, and while some income has been generated and some cutesy photos taken, we've done nothing to lay the ground work for film makers from ireland to learn how to shoot, how to film, how to run a department. Its just atypically Irish, we'll give the tax credits for a Gateway or a Dell to come here and set up a factory or a call center, but do f*ck all to promote and encourage home grown businesses.

StonedParadoX

inside im dancing is a brilliant film ..sobered me up when i went in melted off my tits
good movie
none of my mates like it though .. they suck i need new mates

ugh too much to read mycroft either break it down into 5 lines or ill read it later .. most likely ill read it later so ignore me

mycroft

StonedParadoX wrote:

ugh too much to read mycroft either break it down into 5 lines or ill read it later .. most likely ill read it later so ignore me

Uh huh, my posts are generally considered to be so erudite and witty that a condensed version pops up in readers digest every now and again, look out for it.

BraveheartGal

my left foot

the magdalene sisters

song for a raggy boy

in the name of the father

some mothers son

the general

the commitments

michael collins

Sweetness!

The Commitments
The General
War of the Buttons
Darby O'Gill and the Little people, don't know if that movie is counted as Irish as Steveson was an English director but I feckin' love it!

axtradub12

Sweetness! wrote:

The Commitments
The General
War of the Buttons
Darby O'Gill and the Little people, don't know if that movie is counted as Irish as Steveson was an English director but I feckin' love it!

Shake Hands With The Devil

BlitzKrieg

mycroft...


film as a globalised medium is the centre of many debates, and is a mixmatched affair of ifs and maybes. Your right in that all the films you have named are irish by content but not by creation. Waking Ned is a prime example as it doesnt represent Ireland but an almost fantasised (stereotyped?) view of ireland (little villages cunning little villagers and drink) much in the same vien of scottish film local hero.

Of course this brings into the question of national cinema? should it promote the nation or should it try to promote an *irish* interpertation of film as an artform.

StonedParadoX

i still havent seen song for a raggy boy ..even though its behind me

tell me to watch it

mycroft i didnt mean to be rude man .. just not in the mood too read lots

TerrorFirmer

Magdalene Sisters

The Snapper (the best imo)

Intermission

Adam and Paul (so pointless but you just have to love it)

Man about Dog (this was really fantastic)

Maybe other good ones also

mycroft

BlitzKrieg wrote:

mycroft...


film as a globalised medium is the centre of many debates, and is a mixmatched affair of ifs and maybes. Your right in that all the films you have named are irish by content but not by creation. Waking Ned is a prime example as it doesnt represent Ireland but an almost fantasised (stereotyped?) view of ireland (little villages cunning little villagers and drink) much in the same vien of scottish film local hero.

Yup which would disqualify the Quiet man, and Darby, and half a dozen films as an explotation of Irishness rather than a representation of Ireland and the Irish.

Of course this brings into the question of national cinema? should it promote the nation or should it try to promote an *irish* interpertation of film as an artform.

All depends on who you ask and what you define as the nation. It's disturbing that we'll clutch at any kind of successful film which sniffs of Ireland as one of our own.

It's why "Eat the Peach" is one of my favourite Irish films, It defined the era, spoke about national character and mood, was funny dark and intelligent and most impressive of all is still good despite of Pat Kenny's cameo. Apparently RTE scientists have been studying it for years to try to isolate this factor.

popey21

Michael Collins
Michael Collins twice because its the best Irish film ever made
The Commitments (1991)
High Spirits (1988)
Braveheart (1995)
Darby O'Gill and the Little People (1959) "he didnt kiss her and he a dublin man"
I Went Down (1997)

satchmo

I second Adam and Paul, I enjoyed that a lot more than any other Irish film I've seen recently.

Geiger

Gotta pick The Field. Excellent movie. That's another movie I'd like to buy...

Hugh Hefner

When Brendan Met Trudy.

It's very funny.

arbeitsscheuer

Apologies if this has already been asked in the thread but...
How do you define an "Irish" film?
The Commitments (certainly a fave of mine and many other ppl on this thread) is directed by Alan Parker, a North Londoner. So it's not 100% Irish, and therefore might not be eligible...

A few of mine:
The Treaty
I Went Down
The Van
Inside I'm Dancing

BlitzKrieg

To Sebthebum

points to mine and mycroft's posts on the question of irish film.


To mycroft.

It is interesting that in a similar idea to film genres (westerns sci fi etc) they tried to class films from certain countries are classified by reoccuring elements. For example i was recently reading over how they classify scottish films into 3 different groupings,

I'm just trying to remember the terms.

But one is defitnally Kailyard, which i believe can apply to any nation, but it currently seems to be considered a scottish film style. Kailyard is where the local 'backward' villagers outsmart the modern big city people.

I felt films like The Englishman who went up a hill and came down a mountain which is focused around ireland. Or Sweet Home Alabama which is in USA. These films i feel are kailyard but i am constantly put down by those damn lecturers who still argue against me that it is scottish only.

the other two i cant remember the terms, but one is focused around working class scotland and the other i *think* is the really fantasised historical scotland (like Braveheart).


The most confusing element of my film course last year was studying european cinema and film globalisation at the same time. One course was telling me national cinema can be up its own arse alot of the time and can be hyprocritical, then going to the other course i was being told all the beauty and greatness of films from such and such country. (I must admit i liked the Italian films they showed, but they were'nt really italian.)

mycroft

SebtheBum wrote:

Apologies if this has already been asked in the thread but...
How do you define an "Irish" film?
The Commitments (certainly a fave of mine and many other ppl on this thread) is directed by Alan Parker, a North Londoner. So it's not 100% Irish, and therefore might not be eligible...

g

I do like people who decline to read a thread, This point has been raised we thank you for your glistening insight

rancheros

Inside i'm dancing,

Man about dog.

BlitzKrieg

i swear me and mycroft seem to be vultures on the film board for the last week...

mycroft

BlitzKrieg wrote:

To Sebthebum

points to mine and mycroft's posts on the question of irish film.


To mycroft.

It is interesting that in a similar idea to film genres (westerns sci fi etc) they tried to class films from certain countries are classified by reoccuring elements. For example i was recently reading over how they classify scottish films into 3 different groupings,

I'm just trying to remember the terms.

But one is defitnally Kailyard, which i believe can apply to any nation, but it currently seems to be considered a scottish film style. Kailyard is where the local 'backward' villagers outsmart the modern big city people.

I felt films like The Englishman who went up a hill and came down a mountain which is focused around ireland. Or Sweet Home Alabama which is in USA. These films i feel are kailyard but i am constantly put down by those damn lecturers who still argue against me that it is scottish only.

Interesting theory and I like your application, the Dukes of Hazard meets Chief O Hara theory of cultural stereotypes (I tells ya we're a decade late for the modern review co authoured article)

the other two i cant remember the terms, but one is focused around working class scotland and the other i *think* is the really fantasised historical scotland (like Braveheart).

Theres another the middle class worthy either the Cathal Black (korea) or the attempt to express an issue by someone who doesn't actually experience and is an attempt to empathise with three inches of plexiglass between them and their subject, or as a friend of mine was like to quote;

We make three films in this country

1. Cripples getting laid in the fifties

2. RA rebelions getting killed

3. Middle class middle life crisis.

The most confusing element of my film course last year was studying european cinema and film globalisation at the same time. One course was telling me national cinema can be up its own arse alot of the time and can be hyprocritical, then going to the other course i was being told all the beauty and greatness of films from such and such country. (I must admit i liked the Italian films they showed, but they were'nt really italian.)

Blitzkerg no offence but you seem a tad caught up witb film as globalisation, it's an interesting turn of the century concept but it negates the grief n hassle of film making. Irish cinema as a concept is staggering and reeling for two decades we've not made a success, it's hilarious we've someone lauding when brenda met trudi as a great film on this thread, I can remember when this film came out people claimed that WBMT and About Adam were the clarion call for a regeneration of irish cinema (when the first rise of the frankenstein monster occured we'll never know!) when the **** did a couple of sub par four wedding become a regeneration?

For me, I've felt that Irish cinema (sod gobal) has as always a self confidence crisis all of our best directions sodding off to the uk to learn and develop their trade, and the selection of shoddy films we've been presented, demand we offer a pretence of enjoyment, essentially whats occured to Irish cinema is a by product of the Irish disporia that's occured over the past 150 years. Our best talent has had to go away to get the experience necessary.

To be in our cups we need to admit that we're like Manchester and Glasgow, and Edinburgh and Birmingham, we've got the same brain drain to London, what we don't have is a regional funding to back up to the Uk.

I have a film editor/director friend of mine who's been ranting about how fundamentally what we need is more money for music (budgets) and the occasional star. And most importantly development money.

mycroft

BlitzKrieg wrote:

i swear me and mycroft seem to be vultures on the film board for the last week...

I'm suffering a dual ban from politics for suggesting a SF supporter has ADD and for telling a gob****e in Feedback to STFU, for ranting about why legends of the boards to be closed because it doesn't suit his ideals.

Also; BTW Obeygiant is a tiny wart covered knob.

(hey I'm on a roll.....)

BlitzKrieg

Blitzkerg no offence but you seem a tad caught up witb film as globalisation, it's an interesting turn of the century concept but it negates the grief n hassle of film making.

yes i admit i am caught up on global issues, really because my whole life has been very international (i went to international school, father's with UN, studying abroad). And as you pointed out when the 'people' are expressing the need for resistance to hollywood cinema and everything. One cant help but get those stupid niave urges to stand up against the man. But i'm torn on the issue cause i know its being a bit niave so i'm trying (and failing) to understand the issue fully. hence yes i am very caught up on the gloabalisation issue, and i'm not offended. Ihave problems...thats me.

BlitzKrieg

mycroft wrote:

I'm suffering a dual ban from politics for suggesting a SF supporter has ADD and for telling a gob****e in Feedback to STFU, for ranting about why legends of the boards to be closed because it doesn't suit his ideals.

Also; BTW Obeygiant is a tiny wart covered knob.

(hey I'm on a roll.....)

do you need me to pass on any messages to the politics or feedback forums?
:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

and please dont get banned from here

ienjoy the discussions...even if i am outclassed at times.

mycroft

BlitzKrieg wrote:

yes i admit i am caught up on global issues, really because my whole life has been very international (i went to international school, father's with UN, studying abroad). And as you pointed out when the 'people' are expressing the need for resistance to hollywood cinema and everything. One cant help but get those stupid niave urges to stand up against the man. But i'm torn on the issue cause i know its being a bit niave so i'm trying (and failing) to understand the issue fully. hence yes i am very caught up on the gloabalisation issue, and i'm not offended. Ihave problems...thats me.

No it's not it's interesting, one need to only look at the fallout for the cast of city of god to look at cinema as a global insitution to look at how the cast was treated in comparsion to the films sucess.

I just find it remarkable that Ireland has yet to make a really significant mark on global cinema in the past 25 yrs, on a global scale on a non US supportered film, we haven't got the money for a Full Monty etc, but we've not made a complusive Irish film in decades and the fawning attention over WBMT and About Adam says it all, our best directors move to the US and the UK and our best writers have one foot their and one foot here. Our best technicans need to have spent time in the UK and US and be able to dance between the two. Our Industry is finite yet we produce more and more graduates expecting jobs in "film" each year.

My prefered editor has been ranting to Rod Stoneman for the past two about me needing to move to london to kept in work. It just needs to be done.

ienjoy the discussions...even if i am outclassed at times.

Not at all you raise the tone.....

George White

BraveheartGal wrote: »

my left foot

the magdalene sisters

song for a raggy boy

in the name of the father

some mothers son

the general

the commitments

michael collins

Magdalene Sisters filmed in Scotland.
Darby O'GIll mostly done in Hollywood, but with second unit bits in Ireland.
High Spirits, Irish director, Irish lead, Irish cast, Irish setting, but the large haunted castle interiors were done in Shepperton, I think one of the big English studios.

Ken Shamrock

Wow, brings up an 8 year old thread for that??

iomega

satchmo wrote: »

I second Adam and Paul, I enjoyed that a lot more than any other Irish film I've seen recently.

It was on channel 4 during the week. Great film.

Johngoose

Anything directed by Michael McDonagh... ;-)

darkdubh

It says a lot that many films listed are not Irish made films per say but international productions.If I was to list best films that were most part indigenous productions I'd include.

Adam And Paul.

Garage.

Intermission.

I Went Down.

Angel.

Reefer And The Model.

Eat The Peach.

187187

1,.. In the Name of the father,

I had to stand up (like many other folks) at the end of the movie as it was so powerful.

2,..The Commitments,

A Truly enjoyable flick.

3,.. My Left Foot.

Timmy, (ok not in movie but you get my drift)

4...Adam and Paul.

I love dublin junkies ( in movies and stay there )

5,..Michael Collins. (you rebels have a lot to answer for)

podgemonster

War of the Buttons!

Mister Jingles

Lol to whoever said The Commitments isn't eligible to be an Irish film.

Chrissybhoy

Into The West a classic

Ageyev

George White wrote: »

Magdalene Sisters filmed in Scotland.

darkdubh wrote: »

It says a lot that many films listed are not Irish made films per say but international productions.

I don't agree that this disqualifies Magdalene considering the subject material. Nor would The Wind that Shakes the Barley. Jimmy's Hall was good too.

I thought Crushproof was alright and have always had a soft spot for Inside I'm Dancing for some reason.