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This Is the Sea

Play trailer Poster for This Is the Sea R 1997 1h 44m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 4 Reviews 30% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Hazel (Samantha Morton) lives in Northern Ireland with her strict parents (Dearbhla Molloy, Ian McElhinney) and her brother, Jef (Marc O'Shea). A neighbor, Jacobs (Richard Harris), convinces Hazel's mother to let her travel to Belfast, where she happens to meet Malachy (Ross McDade). They are forced to keep their fledgling relationship secret since Malachy is Catholic and Hazel is Protestant. Trouble arises when Rohan (Gabriel Byrne), a militant Catholic, begins questioning Malachy's loyalty.
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This Is the Sea

Critics Reviews

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Daniel M. Kimmel Variety 04/27/2005
This Romeo and Juliet story set in Northern Ireland is a winner, with... newcomers Samantha Morton and Ross McDade carrying the day. Go to Full Review Nicole Ackman FF2 Media 02/02/2021
2.5/5
'This Is the Sea' is a fascinating glimpse at Ireland in the late 1990s Go to Full Review Christopher Null Filmcritic.com 01/01/2000
2.5/5
Cheryl DeWolfe Apollo Guide 01/01/2000
74/100
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Audience Reviews

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Steve M Oct 16 Deeply disappointing. McGuckan couldn't direct traffic or write a high school pantomime. Shocking waste of acting talent. I'm surprised Richard Harris didn't pull rank and walk off set. Samantha Morton, John Lynch, Gabrielle Byrne, James Nesbitt and the immortal Harris were all fantastic. Mike Scott's music was superb. But Ross McDade just couldn't hold a lead role. And I guess the film's investors wouldn't have lasted 5 minutes in the stock market going by their financial acumen. See more 10/28/2021 I enjoyed this movie even though it is Romeo & Juliet set in 1994 Northern Ireland. However, it is an excellent look at what was going on in Northern Ireland. (My wife's family is from Ireland and I have several N. Irish friends) A love set between a Protestant girl and a Catholic boy and the clashes the families take; including murder. Has the greats Byrne and Harris in it. I know Samantha Morton was not Anglican as we also say "Father, Son and Holy Ghost" and she said to to the boy you say it funny. She looked like a Mennonite or some other very conservative Christian Protestant but you do get to see her in a wet shirt. She had some figure but she was also only 19. See more 09/19/2010 I missed the first 15 minutes so it took a while to get into it. Funnily enough had just been talking about Gabriel Byrne and here he is! Northern Ireland, car bombs and a romea and juliet story in the middle. Plus a weird old man and Samantha Morton in a thin white night gown in the rain!! See more Read all reviews
This Is the Sea

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Cast & Crew

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Mary McGuckian

Director

Samantha Morton

Hazel Stokes

Ross McDade

Malachy McAliskey

Richard Harris

Old Man Jacobs

Gabriel Byrne

Old Man Jacobs

John Lynch

Padhar McAliskey
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This Is the Sea

This Is the Sea (1997) This Is the Sea (1997) This Is the Sea (1997) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Hazel (Samantha Morton) lives in Northern Ireland with her strict parents (Dearbhla Molloy, Ian McElhinney) and her brother, Jef (Marc O'Shea). A neighbor, Jacobs (Richard Harris), convinces Hazel's mother to let her travel to Belfast, where she happens to meet Malachy (Ross McDade). They are forced to keep their fledgling relationship secret since Malachy is Catholic and Hazel is Protestant. Trouble arises when Rohan (Gabriel Byrne), a militant Catholic, begins questioning Malachy's loyalty.
Director
Mary McGuckian
Producer
Michael Garland
Screenwriter
Mary McGuckian
Production Co
Paramount
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 16, 2019
Runtime
1h 44m
Sound Mix
Surround
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