The Ira On Film And Television: A History Irish Republican Army On Film And Television

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) has for decades pursued the goal of unifying its homeland into a single sovereign nation, ending British rule in Northern Ireland. Over the years, the IRA has been dramatized in motion pictures directed by John Ford (The Informer), Carol Reed (Odd Man Out), David Lean (Ryan's Daughter), Neil Jordan (Michael Collins), and many others. Such international film stars as Liam Neeson, James Cagney, Richard Gere, James Mason and Anthony Hopkins have portrayed IRA members alternately as heroic patriots, psychotic terrorists and tormented rebels. This work analyzes celluloid depictions of the IRA from the 1916 Easter Rising to the peace process of the 1990s. Topics include America's role in creating both the IRA and its cinematic image, the organization's brief association with the Nazis, and critical reception of IRA films in Ireland, Britain and the United States. Mark Connelly teaches literature and film at Milwaukee Area Technical College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he is vice president of the Irish Cultural and Heritage Center. The Irish Republican Army (IRA) has for decades pursued the goal of unifying its homeland into a single sovereign nation, ending British rule in Northern Ireland. Over the years, the IRA has been dramatized in motion pictures directed by John Ford (The Informer), Carol Reed (Odd Man Out), David Lean (Ryans Daughter), Neil Jordan (Michael Collins), and many others. International film stars as Liam Neeson, Brad Pitt, James Mason, Robert Mitchum, James Cagney, Richard Gere, and Anthony Hopkins have portrayed IRA members as heroic patriots, psychotic terrorists and tormented rebels. This illustrated history analyzes celluloid depictions of the IRA from the 1916 Easter Rising to the peace process of the 1990s. Topics include Americas role in creating both the IRA and its cinematic image, the organizations brief association with the Nazis, and critical reception of IRA films in Ireland, Britain and the United States. The Irish Republican Army (ira) Has For Decades Pursued The Goal Of Unifying Its Homeland Into A Single Sovereign Nation, Ending British Rule In North Ireland. This Illustrated History Analyzes Celluloid Depictions Of The Ira From The 1916 Easter Rising To The Peace Process Of The 1990s--provided By Publisher. Introduction -- The Troubles I: The War Of Independence And The Irish Civil War -- The Big Fellow: Michael Collins -- The Shamrock And The Swastika -- The Troubles Ii -- The Classics: The Informer And Odd Man Out -- American Angles -- International Intrigue -- The Gangster Film: Criminalizing The Ira -- Themes And Characters -- Post Troubles? -- Conclusion. Mark Connelly. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Cover......Page 1 Table of Contents......Page 6 Preface......Page 8 Introduction......Page 12 1. The Troubles I......Page 22 2. The Big Fellow......Page 45 3. The Shamrock and the Swastika......Page 69 4. The Troubles II......Page 107 5. The Classics......Page 154 6. American Angles......Page 168 7. International Intrigue......Page 205 8. The Gangster Film......Page 211 9. Themes and Characters......Page 222 10. Post Troubles?......Page 243 Conclusion......Page 249 Chronology......Page 252 Filmography......Page 254 Chapter Notes......Page 258 Bibliography......Page 267 Index......Page 272