Seemed to be a distinct absence of cash slopping round in this production, but that's how it is with a tv film. I spent some time with soldiers in Northern Ireland in th 1970s and was not all that convinced by the squaddies in this film They were older, bigger and far less disciplined than the younger, thinner and anxious to obey orders Greenjackets I met. Nevertheless, this is a very worthwhile film which helps explain how the army managed to go from being welcomed by the Catholic community when they arrived, to being hated as an army of occupation.
8 Reviews
I was there and from street level it was fairly accurate.
billyyork6 June 2004
On that day 32 Years ago I was a cocky young fella who seen nothing wrong with the world. I was marching along with thousands of others for basic civil rights for everyone. The only reason I was there was a beautiful young catholic girl. Now it was a bit different for me as I was a 20 yr old protestant and only there in the hope of some heavy petting after the march.
That day changed my outlook on the world. The film portrays it fairly well and can I remember it as it happened, although nothing can replicate the fear I felt that day. I won't go into too much details as I don't want to dig up old memories that turn me into a blubbering old fool. I can only say that what I seen in the film was fairly accurate to what I seen that day in the streets of the Bogside. That day I saw innocent people killed for marching for basic civil rights.
I don't know much more than what I saw and can't comment on the other pieces in the film of which I have no knowledge. I have read a lot regarding the Armys motives and also of English Justice and Political reasoning behind all that happened that day. To me I can't understand it and also I can not believe any of it as it all contradicts itself.
Nothing in my mind excuses what happened that day. Lets hope our kids on both sides of the fence and on both sides of the water do a better job of living together in peace. This film and others like it serve their purpose to show the world what happens on days like these. Days that change the world and change history. Lets hope we can learn from it.
All the Best,
Billy
That day changed my outlook on the world. The film portrays it fairly well and can I remember it as it happened, although nothing can replicate the fear I felt that day. I won't go into too much details as I don't want to dig up old memories that turn me into a blubbering old fool. I can only say that what I seen in the film was fairly accurate to what I seen that day in the streets of the Bogside. That day I saw innocent people killed for marching for basic civil rights.
I don't know much more than what I saw and can't comment on the other pieces in the film of which I have no knowledge. I have read a lot regarding the Armys motives and also of English Justice and Political reasoning behind all that happened that day. To me I can't understand it and also I can not believe any of it as it all contradicts itself.
Nothing in my mind excuses what happened that day. Lets hope our kids on both sides of the fence and on both sides of the water do a better job of living together in peace. This film and others like it serve their purpose to show the world what happens on days like these. Days that change the world and change history. Lets hope we can learn from it.
All the Best,
Billy
As well done as Hillsborough?
mayzeedoodle21 September 2005
An excellent and accurate film... McGovern takes great pains to research and document his writing and it pays off. He is not afraid to tell the truth, even though it might draw unfavourable reviews and comments from some who like stories to be clean and sweet and glossy.
Once again, McGovern brings in Christopher Eccleston, though not in as high a profile a role as he played in Hillsborough. I found this movie as accurate, well acted and well presented as Hillsborough and I applaud McGovern for his poignant unapologetic writing. Well done and my hat is off to the writer, the actors, the production crew. A great film!
Once again, McGovern brings in Christopher Eccleston, though not in as high a profile a role as he played in Hillsborough. I found this movie as accurate, well acted and well presented as Hillsborough and I applaud McGovern for his poignant unapologetic writing. Well done and my hat is off to the writer, the actors, the production crew. A great film!
Review and film and not a "biased" history...
uncle_pot25 November 2013
McGovern has used to astonishing effect both the infamous photos from the day and the eye witness accounts from both soldiers and marchers that led to those photos being taken. The "not spoken of; yet well known" stories of (at the time)oppressed Irish Catholics of the North. Harrowing... but to but it simply it does not tell the true story of the north at the time. It does not delve into the cause and effect, the fear and despair for everyone that was placed or lived at that time in that part of the world. ... but regardless of what you read above "reviews" ... this has been proved a factual... and it is a hard watch but well worth it. Enjoy
I will leave the reviews to the reviewers but as some may have read above reviews both about the film and defending the soldiers and claim it too be biased against them.. what has now become fact is that those soldiers are being treated as murderers and that every word they said was a lie...
I will leave the reviews to the reviewers but as some may have read above reviews both about the film and defending the soldiers and claim it too be biased against them.. what has now become fact is that those soldiers are being treated as murderers and that every word they said was a lie...
Excellent
jayok7 March 2002
This film deals with the atrocity in Derry 30 years ago which is commonly known as Bloody Sunday.
The film is well researched, acted and directed. It is as close to the truth as we will get until the outcome of the Saville enquiry. The film puts the atrocity into context of the time. It also shows the savagery of the soldiers on the day of the atrocity. The disgraceful white-wash that was the Widgery Tribunal is also dealt with.
Overall, this is an excellent drama which is moving and shocking. When the Saville report comes out, watch this film again to see how close to the truth it is.
The film is well researched, acted and directed. It is as close to the truth as we will get until the outcome of the Saville enquiry. The film puts the atrocity into context of the time. It also shows the savagery of the soldiers on the day of the atrocity. The disgraceful white-wash that was the Widgery Tribunal is also dealt with.
Overall, this is an excellent drama which is moving and shocking. When the Saville report comes out, watch this film again to see how close to the truth it is.
Bizarre Coincidence
harrydelaney22 March 2002
This is supposed to be well-researched and based on fact. How come therefore that it's so packed with McGovernisms. Did the people of Derry live in some kind of bizarre Philip K. Dick world in which reality was uncannily like Cracker/ Liam/ Priest? Or is McGovern an idle hack who just keeps repeating hims
Excellent
thatsnotwinston18 April 2002
This drama is an excellent interpretation of the events on and surrounding January 30th 1972.
It is very fact based despite the opinion of others and presents the day for what it really was, cold blooded murder and an attack not just on the 28 innocent, catholic civilians shot that day, but on the very idea of civil rights for everyone in Northern Ireland.
It is very fact based despite the opinion of others and presents the day for what it really was, cold blooded murder and an attack not just on the 28 innocent, catholic civilians shot that day, but on the very idea of civil rights for everyone in Northern Ireland.
Very Biased
regkat5 January 2004
I completely agree with bobthemoo, a terribly one-sided doco cum dramatisation. I have no doubt whatsoever that bloodshed occurred culminating in murder on that day. But to opinion the British soldiers in such a way was nothing short of total biasness by the author. I thought he researched this event thoroughly? And what did happen to the IRA soldiers in the so called accurately filmed movie??? Mmmm.
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