The Wind That Shakes the Barley

Play trailer

The Wind That Shakes the Barley

2006

2h 6m

History

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

116 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

In 1920s Ireland young doctor Damien O'Donovan (Cillian Murphy) prepares to depart for a new job in a London hospital. As he says his goodbyes at a friend's farm, British Black and Tans arrive, and a young man is killed. Damien joins his brother Teddy (Padraic Delaney) in the Irish Republican Army, but political events are soon set in motion that tear the brothers apart.

Critics Consensus

Bleak and uncompromising, but director Ken Loach brightens his film with gorgeous cinematography and tight pacing, and features a fine performance from Cillian Murphy.

Read Critics Reviews

Cliff Doerksen

Time Out

Rated: 5/5

Nov 17, 2011

Full Review

Steven Rea

Philadelphia Inquirer

Gripping, powerful, heart-breaking.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 4, 2007

Full Review

Jim Emerson

RogerEbert.com

While this may be a historical piece, it's history told in the vivid present tense.

Rated: 4/4

May 11, 2007

Full Review

Farah Cheded

A Good Movie To Watch

In its willingness to grapple with the ugly nuances of revolution, The Wind That Shakes The Barley proves itself an intelligent and undeniably powerful film.

Aug 18, 2023

Full Review

David Lamble

Bay Area Reporter

Murphy's agonized body language conveys the horrible, irreparable damage of war.

May 26, 2020

Full Review

Alberto Abuín

Espinof

The director has an excellent cast, having Cillian Murphy shining with his own light. [Full Review in Spanish]

Feb 15, 2020

Full Review

Read all reviews

Freedom L

Brilliant movie a must see

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/31/24

Full Review

Ali W

I love this movie. I’ve watched four times and keep returning to it over the years. Masterclass in filmmaking with powerful story and great performances

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/20/24

Full Review

Ruth H

Hauntingly heartbreaking.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/10/24

Full Review

Emma W

Very good movie, a bit much at points.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/24

Full Review

Nathan H

A fittingly bleak window onto a complex moment, with full-throated performances all around, but especially Orla Fitzgerald and Cillian Murphy whose characters can't quite believe the level of horror that eventually reaches them. As with the eponymous poem, it's very pretty and very grim: "With breaking heart whene'er I hear / The wind that shakes the barley."

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/18/24

Full Review

Regina P

I'm so sorry... it's a no from me. And I actually think the story itself should have kept me glued to the screen. The relationship between the brothers and the backdrop of Ireland's fight against England-- good raw material. I should have been wrapped up in this story from beginning to end. But the execution was so boring that I kept having to take breaks.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

11/24/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Ken Loach

Director

Cillian Murphy

Damien O'Donovan

Padraic Delaney

Teddy O'Donovan

Liam Cunningham

Dan

Orla Fitzgerald

Sinead

Mary Riordan

Peggy

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

65%

85%

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Watchlist

Amazing Grace

68%

85%

Amazing Grace

Watchlist

Goya's Ghosts

30%

57%

Goya's Ghosts

Watchlist

Fateless

95%

83%

Fateless

Watchlist

Bobby

47%

72%

Bobby

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Cannes 2009: RT’s 10 Must-See Movies

Cannes 2009: The Tomato Report – Antichrist Shocks, Eric Delights

Cannes 2009: RT’s 10 Most Anticipated Movies

View more photos

Synopsis

In 1920s Ireland young doctor Damien O'Donovan (Cillian Murphy) prepares to depart for a new job in a London hospital. As he says his goodbyes at a friend's farm, British Black and Tans arrive, and a young man is killed. Damien joins his brother Teddy (Padraic Delaney) in the Irish Republican Army, but political events are soon set in motion that tear the brothers apart.

Director: Ken Loach
Producer: Rebecca O'Brien
Screenwriter: Paul Laverty
Production Co: Cineart, Irish Film Board, UK Film Council, TV3 Ireland, Tornasol Films S.A.
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Mar 16, 2007
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 10, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.8M
Runtime: 2h 6m