The IRA on Film and Television: A History

by Mark Connelly

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) has for decades pursued the goal of unifying its homeland into a single sovereign nation, ending British rule in Northern Ireland. Over the years, the IRA has been dramatized in motion pictures directed by John Ford (The Informer), Carol Reed (Odd Man Out), David Lean (Ryan’s Daughter), Neil Jordan (Michael Collins), and many others. International film stars as Liam Neeson, Brad Pitt, James Mason, Robert Mitchum, James Cagney, Richard Gere, and Anthony Hopkins have portrayed IRA members as heroic patriots, psychotic terrorists and tormented rebels.

This illustrated history analyzes celluloid depictions of the IRA from the 1916 Easter Rising to the peace process of the 1990s. Topics include America’s role in creating both the IRA and its cinematic image, the organization’s brief association with the Nazis, and critical reception of IRA films in Ireland, Britain and the United States.

273 pages, Paperback

First published April 25, 2012

Reviews

[Kathleen Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

IRA on Film and Television by Mark Connelly is a book depicting Irish history from the "troubles" to 'post troubles". The book covers film and television for Michael Collins, Ireland's involvement in WWII. It also covers the classics such as The Informer and Odd Man Out, dark crime thrillers. There is a chapter that is devoted to the "American Angles", which tells about how the Irish immigrants in America still remained faithful to the "old sod". Did you know that "For a century and a half America remained a source of arms, money, and recruits for "the Cause?"...I didn't.
The chapter on international intrigue is about the involvement of the IRA in other countries such as Mexico and Israel.
This book is a wonderful companion to anyone's library, especially if they are interested in Irish history regarding the IRA from around 1858 to present. In the back of the book is a huge list of movies and TV shows to pick from, along with a bibliography, Irish chronology and notes. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and will certainly be watching some of the movies and shows depicted i the book.
I received a copy of this book from the author and was not monetarily compensated for my review.

[Peter · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly written, with a clear lack of understanding of the wider points of The Troubles. Littered with typos. No deep thought or analysis of either side of the conflict explored in actual depth. A vague collection of film synopses with no real exploration of the conflict. Fine as a reference for The IRA in film but nothing more.