Shake Hands With the Devil

Released Jun 24, 1959

1 hr. 50 min.

Drama

List

75%

8 Reviews

Tomatometer

56%

50+ Ratings

Audience Score

In 1921, Kerry O'Shea (Don Murray), an American medical student living in Ireland, learns that his esteemed professor, Sean Lenihan (James Cagney), is also a leader in Ireland's rebel army. Even though Kerry's father and roommate have both been killed by British troops, he refuses to join the Irish rebellion. However, after Kerry is unjustly imprisoned and tortured by the British "Black and Tans" special forces, he fully commits himself to the cause of Irish freedom.

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Audience Member

Glynis Johns was a good hoor. Ira actions leading up to the civil war. Cagney early representation of killing coz deep seated sexual issues ...maybe his gun went off too quick.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

James Cagney adds a bit of grit to an almost-true story of British domination over the oppressed Irish people in 1921 Dublin. Known as the "Troubles" over there, the British invaded Ireland 500 years ago and killed anyone who wouldn't obey their laws. Irish independence is the theme of this film, and this independence would finally be achieved later on in the twentieth century, too late for any of the protaganists in this movie to enjoy. The events are based on a book detailing events that occurred in 1921. Cagney. Murray. Johns are all top notch in their roles. The film is rife with true dramatics, things that Americans were never to hear much about. Ireland was fighting for its independence two hundred years after the U.S. achieved theirs.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

darin c

Period piece concerning Ireland's fight for independence which was slow-paced and sometimes hard to stay interested. However, I did enjoy the presentation of the freedom fighter view.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A perfect match with Michael Collins for an Irish troubles double feature with some impressive directorial flourish from Anderson and another captivating Cagney showcase. There is some beautiful sights in the film, especially around the lighthouse where much of the later action takes place. Anderson adds plenty of excitement to his shots, such as the POV interrogation scene where all we see is a hand slapping away at the camera. The script offers a pretty evenhanded examination of the Irish strife, establishing a tense police-state atmosphere courtesy of the Black & Tans but not forgetting to show the harsh code of silence on the rebel side. The scene where Kerry O'Shea watches an IRA man break down after shooting an informer prostitute is still quite wrenching to watch. Cagney always keeps you off balance with his performance, a master at the anti-hero especially with this part. You always get a sense of a zealous determination to his fight for the cause, but the film last half hour shows him going over the line when he is unaccepting of the Anglo-Irish treaty, as in fact many were at the time. The final tragic showdown atop the windswept hilly coast is a nail biter and Anderson delivers right to the final frame with a beautiful shot of Lenihan's pistol falling to the beach sands below. Keep an eagle-eye out for a very young Richard Harris and Doctor Who's original Time-Lord, William Hartnell.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Period piece concerning Ireland's fight for independence which was slow-paced and sometimes hard to stay interested. However, I did enjoy the presentation of the freedom fighter view.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The was always more to Cagney than the "dirty rat" from his gangster movies. A good well acted movie set in the Irish fight for independence.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

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Michael Anderson

Director

James Cagney

Sean Lenihan

Don Murray

Kerry O'Shea

Dana Wynter

Jennifer Curtis

Glynis Johns

Kitty Brady

Michael Redgrave

The General

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Lou Lumenick

New York Post

Rated: 3/4

May 20, 2005

Full Review

Frank J. Avella

Edge Media Network

Shake Hands with the Devil is an exceptional, bold work with great performances that should be considered a classic.

Rated: A

Jan 21, 2022

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Opinions will naturally differ on the politics behind this drama set during the Irish War of Independence, but there will be no arguments over the quality of James Cagney's performance.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 15, 2022

Full Review

Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

Touches of melodramatic hokum in the story diminish its impact hut fail to disqualify it as a worthy specimen.

Oct 18, 2019

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

A good intro into the conflict between England and the IRA.

Rated: B

Jul 22, 2005

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: B

Jun 18, 2005

Full Review

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Synopsis

In 1921, Kerry O'Shea (Don Murray), an American medical student living in Ireland, learns that his esteemed professor, Sean Lenihan (James Cagney), is also a leader in Ireland's rebel army. Even though Kerry's father and roommate have both been killed by British troops, he refuses to join the Irish rebellion. However, after Kerry is unjustly imprisoned and tortured by the British "Black and Tans" special forces, he fully commits himself to the cause of Irish freedom.

Director: Michael Anderson
Production Co: Pennebaker Productions
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 24, 1959, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 30, 2017

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