Amazon.co.uk Review
If it was a piece of fiction, they'd say that it could never happen. Bloody Sunday is a dramatisation of one of the most shameful episodes in recent British history. Released to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Derry civil rights march and also the re-opening of enquiries into what really happened, the film is one of the most incisive, explosive works ever to emerge from British cinema. The premise is simple--to follow what took place in the city on 30th January 1972, when an anti-internment march descended into violence and left 13 unarmed civilians dead at the hands of the British army.
Abandoning traditional filmmaking methods in favour of a more documentary style, Bloody Sunday is frighteningly realistic, especially when detailing the chaos into which the peaceful demonstration descended. Those who are only familiar with James Nesbitt through his lighter work (Cold Feet for example) may find this something of a shock, but he excels in the role of local politician Ivan Cooper. Admittedly there is a danger in presenting historical facts in a dramatic manner, no matter how painstaking the research, even though much of the dialogue here is taken straight from testimony and actual military transcripts. But if any question of bias arises, it's worth remembering that this film was written and directed by an Englishman, stars a Derry protestant as well as a young man whose uncle was killed during the march, and was produced as an Anglo-Irish project. The result is an unforgettable and unflinching piece of cinema not to be missed.
On the DVD: Bloody Sunday absolutely has to be seen on DVD. The slew of extra features not only complement the film, but place it in the overall context of the past, present and future of Northern Ireland. The various interviews with cast, director and producers paint a picture of a film that sets out to heal wounds and build bridges on all sides and to break the cinematic mould. Thus the majority of the cast were not actors but ordinary people from the Derry area, with the majority of the British soldiers played by ex-military personnel, some of whom had served in Northern Ireland themselves. As more and more of the story behind this remarkable film is revealed, so its impact becomes more intense and its aims and purpose more successful.--Phil Udell
Customer Reviews:
moving, honest, neccessary........2004-05-31
The cover of the dvd did not really betray what was to unfold on the screen. Relating a story of such tragic events is not an easy task to do; objectivity and sensitivity are the key to providing an honest and believable account. The issue is an emotive one for many in the UK and so tackling it was bound to be tricky. I have to say, they have dealt with it extremely well.
The use of ex-serving soldiers from N.Ireland and residents from Derry who present during the riots 25 years ago adds genuine authenticity. There are no flashy production techniques, no Hollywood style melodrama, more a documentary feel. The footage is beautifully shot; you feel like you are the eyes of a unwitting observer, and this makes it all the more involving.
The story unfolds rapidly before your eyes, a sense of growing tension is realistically recreated. At times the footage is hard-to-watch, but yet utterly compelling; the tragedy transfixes your for the duration of the film. Nesbitt performs his role with subtlety and quiet dignity, easily his best role to date.
As the film finishes, you arise with a much deeper understanding of both what happened, and why it happened. You understand how the conflict affected all parties, you begin to understand the lasting emotion the day has given to so many.
In summary: a superb account of the UK's darkest days, shot with sensitivity and acted with genuine care.
Bloody Sunday.......2002-08-27
Given the highly emotive and disturbing subject matter of the film, this is a very thought provoking and balanced view of what some could view as the route cause of the escalation of the "troubles" in Northern Ireland, the imagery and detail is highly accurate and the action is viewed on all sides fairly and in my view neutrally, it leaves you to make your own mind up and will probably encourage you to research the subject matter independently.
The direction is stunning and conveys the realities of these tense times, the quality of the acting is also excellent, a thoroughly compelling and thought provoking work which deserves a wider audience.
Makes you feel, not just think........2002-05-03
This is one of this productions which proves that British TV dramas, when well made, rivals the best in the world. This is the story of the 1972 Londonderry Civil Rights march, which ended in tragedy when British troops opened fire and killed 13 protesters, and wounded a further 14.
Paul Greengrass writes and directs with a surprisingly even hand, showing that the soldiers, front-line troops from the Parachute Regiment who are trained to be aggressive fighting soldiers, should not have been used in a containment/arrest role. However, it also shows that some of the marchers split off and attacked the soldiers, and that IRA gunmen were involved, as well as the fact that senior police tried to both tone down the military presence, and advised the leaders of the protest of the high likelihood of confrontation, and inevitably, violence. The military leadership planned the operation as a military ambush, not a civil operation. The story unfolds over the whole day, focussing on various characters to show all sides and levels.
The film's real strength, however, lies in it's utter believability. The footage looks like contemporary news stock, and is filmed in a documentary style. The acting is excellent, not only James Nesbitt as the Civil Rights leader and M.P Ivan Cooper, but the entire cast of unknowns. The soldiers were played by real soldiers, with the exception of a very few senior officers, and lend credence to the whole film. The civilians, also, are superb. You feel the anger and frustration of the Para's, and the pride to terror rollercoaster felt by the protestors when the rubber bullets, tear gas, and eventually real bullets start flying. In all aspects of production and performance, it overshadows the Jimmy McGovern-scripted "Sunday",which tells the story not only of the massacre but also of the investigation which is portayed in a paranoid, biased manner.
This deserves a cinema release, and if there is any justice will start international careers for Nesbitt and Greengrass. Of course, they may prefer to make quality items like this, rather than watered down big budget nonsense, but they deserve plaudits for this, a genuinely great film.
Product Description
PLOT SUMMARY: Documentary-style drama showing the events that lead up to the tragic incident on January 30, 1972 in the Northern Ireland town of Derry when a protest march led by civil rights activist Ivan Cooper was fired upon by British troops, killing 13 protesters and wounding 14 more
ABOUT THE DVD: This is an A-FILM release - part of the 'Quality Film Collection' - for the NETHERLANDS market (Region 2 PAL format, which is the same as in the UK, so it will play without problems on all standard DVD players in this country). The text on the rear of the packaging is in Dutch, and the only subtitles available on the disc are Dutch or French (they can be switched off, but there are no English subtitles on the DVD). The audio is the original English language (there is also a French language option too, if requred), with a choice of Dolby Digital 5.1 or 2.0 audiotracks. The film is presented in widescreen format (16:9 anamorphic), and a Scene Selection menu is available, and extras include cast and crew interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
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