The Irish Times: The 50 best Irish films ever made, in order
The 50 best Irish films ever made, in order
https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/the-50-best-irish-films-ever-made-in-order-1.4238979
I myself like these….
The Secret of Roan Inish
John Sayles, 1994
In the 1940s, a young girl is sent to the Donegal island of the title, where her extended family tell her about selkies and her missing younger brother. A magical piece of storytelling about storytelling with a great teller in the late Mick Lally.
The Commitments
Alan Parker, 1991
The Snapper and The Van may be more coherent Roddy Doyle adaptations, but one can't ignore the impact Alan Parker's vibrant Dublin musical had on a city on the brink of unprecedented cultural upheavals. Generated a touring act, a stage production and a handful of durable careers.
And this I barely remember watching decades ago….
Flight of the Doves
Ralph Nelson, 1971
Once maligned as high blarney, this adaptation of Walter Macken's 1967 novel has gained a cult following in recent years. Two Liverpool children escape their cruel uncle (Ron Moody) and run away to Galway. Features a great St Patrick's Day chase and the forward-thinking, inclusive anthem, You Don't Have to Be Irish to be Irish.
Bloody Sunday
Paul Greengrass, 2002
Though made for Granada TV, Greengrass's kinetic take on a seismic tragedy debuted at Sundance and received a theatrical release. So it counts. James Nesbitt is excellent as the heroic Ivan Cooper. Ballymun does good work as Derry. But it is the dynamism of the filmmaking that sticks in the memory.
The Magdalene Sisters
Peter Mullan, 2002
In the early 1960s, four young women – rape and incest survivor Margaret (Anne-Marie Duff), too-pretty Bernadette (Nora-Jane Noone), unmarried mother Rose (Dorothy Duffy) and intellectually disabled Crispina (Eileen Walsh) – are forced into a Magdalene asylum. Hugely affecting historical drama.
My Left Foot
Jim Sheridan, 1989
It still seems so unlikely. Producer Noel Pearson and director Jim Sheridan imagined their study of disabled writer Christy Brown would play to a modest audience in Dublin. Boosted by a stirring performances from Daniel Day-Lewis and Brenda Fricker, it ended up winning two Oscars and relaunching the domestic industry.
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