Customer Reviews

Bloody Sunday [VHS]

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"Bloody Sunday" is a remarkable and powerful film; a rare breed of film that makes you wonder why such a gem goes so unrecognized by moviegoers. This is such a well-done and important film that has the ability to re-create history with pure authenticity. One of the best things I did last week was purchase this DVD. As soon as I started it, I knew there was no turning back.

I had never heard of the event itself (here's my age showing again). Never even learned about it in high school. As a matter of fact, I'm learning there's LOTS of things I never learned in high school, but back to the movie. "Bloody Sunday" is a documentary-like film that re-creates what transpired on Sunday, January 30th, 1972. In a Civil Rights demonstration in Northern Ireland, British troops opened fire on protesters when things were getting hairy, which would eventually lead to 27 wounded and 13 dead. This was a tragedy that struck a major blow to the Civil Rights movement, and to Ireland and Britain as well.

From what I understand, this is still a very controversial topic, even today. Nobody is still 100% sure of what exactly happened. Both sides are still debating and offering their versions of what really went down. I don't know much about the event, as I said in the beginning of this review. What I do know is that this film was done in a very realistic and authentic way, and I believe that what happened on that tragic day might've gone down the way it did in the film, or very close to it. I also believe that the movie shows both sides, not just one.

This film was done entirely hand-held, meaning not once did the filmmakers use a dolly or camera stands. The end result is that it gives it the raw and realistic feel that it needs to be affective. There is no story or plot in the movie. The movie isn't there to tell a single story or show us "characters;" the only goal is to try to educate us all on what happened on January 30th. You never look at the actors as actors, but more like the real people themselves. In fact, when I was watching this, I was very convinced that I wasn't watching a movie, but a real documentary.

The DVD comes equipped with some very nice special features. Those being two commentary tracks and 2 documentary features. That may not sound like a lot, but when you view or hear them, you feel very satisfied. It would've been nice to have a few more extras, but I can't really complain. Nor do I want to.

I really believe the filmmakers when they say that they did not make "Bloody Sunday" to open old wounds. They want to educate us all on what happened and they want us to confront it. Much like when an addict has a problem but he or she won't admit it, the problem will never come to a resolution if we continue to ignore it. I urge every history teacher to make their students watch this movie. I urge EVERYONE I know to give this movie a try. It is a rare and unique gem that takes historical films to a new level that it has never reached before. It's a shame that not many have seen it, but my hope is that more people will see it now since it is available to own and rent on DVD and video. "Bloody Sunday" is an experience you will never forget, and it is an important one you do not want to miss out on. Definitely makes my Top 10 of 2002 list, without question.

An emotionally crushing recreation of the infamous January 30, 1972 clash between British troops and Irish protesters in the town of Derry, which led to the deaths of dozens of civilian marchers. "Clash" is perhaps too strong a word -- this film (as well as several abortive inquiries) makes a strong case that the testosterone-amped British "para" soldiers simply went berserk and shot people at random, in hopes of "teaching them a lesson they'd never forget." The distinction between IRA warmongers and the civilian civil rights movement was apparently lost of the embattled English, but their actions at Derry helped lock the Catholic-Protestant feud into place right up to the present day. Filmically, this is an impressive work: the documentary-style handheld camera work, which seems a bit mannered and distracting in the first part of the film, pays off handsomely when the violence starts -- the fear and chaos of the event is made palpable in a suprisingly visceral manner... it's like a punch to the gut when the shooting starts.... and then it worsens and keeps on going for what seems like an eternity. Regardless of what you think of the filmmaker's political slant, the skill with which they built this film's dramatic impact is undeniable. Viewers will have to make up their own minds about what they believe actually happened that day, but this film proides a convincing argument on behalf of the civilian victims. Highly recommended.

Set up like a documentary, Bloody Sunday, brings to the screen the true story of the 1972 massacre in Derry, Northern Ireland, by the British forces and the cover-up that followed.
James Nesbitt, Tim Pigott-Smith, and the rest of the cast, have truly outdone themselves with their performances, which are exceptional to say the least!
Very well written and very well presented, the movie does a great job of describing the complexity of Northern Ireland.
The setting, the plot, the dialogues and the music are all wonderful!
In short, Bloody Sunday is a movie definitely worth watching and one to seriously consider adding to your movie collection!

From the moment the opening credits begin (with a haunting and brooding score punctuated by nervous military radio banter) to the sombre closing credits (with a fine live version of u2 performing Sunday, Bloody Sunday) this picture, dramatising the unfortunate events of 30 January 1972, in Londonderry, N. Ireland grips you and--slowly, surely--winds the tension up like a spring.

Whilst I will avoid recounting the events of that terrible day (the previous reviews do that very well) and will avoid commenting on its historical accurateness (there's certain to be inaccuracies cited in this telling by historians, and, truth be told, the British do not represent well at all here [seeming so hateful and criminal as to be, at times, difficult to believe--but, maybe that's the point) I will say that the film feels amazingly real-that is, it is utterly convincing. Through a documentary styled presentation showcasing amazing and sharp acting performances, you are drawn in completely-you believe you are there.

Technically, this DVD is beautiful. The picture is presented in a gorgeous anamorphic 16x9 transfer with solid blacks and crisp and tight (if intentionally muted) colours. The audio is likewise full and punchy. You will notice that there are two feature audio track options: 1. A `Domestic' audio track (which is, in fact, a U.S. mix (domestic would mean the U.K., the film's place of origin), and 2. A U.K. release mix. The difference between the two is that the U.K. track has a much more spacious and pronounced ambient/surround mix, whereas the `domestic' mix reduces much of the ambience in favour of a louder (centred) dialogue track (most likely to aid the N. American audiences not conversant with the Irish accents and varying dialects featured so prominently in the film.)

I cannot recommend this film too highly. It is a fine example of what art can aspire to when embedded with a strong and passionate message.

"Sunday Bloody Sunday" was a John Lennon song from his "Some Time In New York City" set that introduced me to this sad day. "When Stormont bans out marches," was the chorus that rattled in my head for the early 70s. Then the U2 song came out. Now I'm pleased to see this film.

It's hard to review this film without either reviewing the event itself and the political situation that surrounds it or reviewing the cinema verite style that director Paul Greengrass employs. There is no doubt that "Bloody Sunday" is powerful. I sat watching the credits roll afterwards and listened to the U2 song even after the screen went black. I found this film less effective that the docu-drama "Veronica Guerin." Gerald McSorely played Irish Mafioso John Gilligan in "VG"; and here plays Capt. Supt. Lagan who sits dumbfounded hearing the news, patently ignored by the British officers.

The film is centered around Ivan Cooper played by James Nesbitt. He does an excellent job as a wheeler dealer politician who then becomes dumbfounded at the day's results. Tim Piggott-Smith does a marvelous job as the boneheaded Gen. Robert Ford who goads the British into the confrontation and then crows about it as a tremendous success.

The short abrupt cuts didn't work as well for me. If they had started with longer sequences and progressively been snipped to shorter and shorter shots as we approach the massacre, the film would have had more of a sense of build. As it is, it does convey the sense of confusion with people talking at once, not listening to each other, and then the screen cutting to a completely different setting and sequence, leaving each part dropped but adding to a cumulative effect.

Because this film is about an extremely important event, one that is unfortunately mirrored in too many unjust situations around the world, it does have a universality and resonance. On the other hand, because we don't spend long enough with each character, because we don't come to know the 13 killed or the 14 wounded, there is a facelessness to the proceeding. It would have been more moving for me if like "Veronica Guerin" we become directly involved with the characters and concerned with their outcome. Even so, it's a film that deserves to be seen. Enjoy!

Familiar with the famous U2 song, "Sunday Bloody Sunday"?? Well, here's a look at the events that inspired that song.

On January 30, 1972 Catholics living in the Northern Ireland's city of Derry march for human rights denied under British rule. But this wasn't an ordinary march by any means. Thirteen marchers were shot dead during what was later termed "Bloody Sunday".

This movie alternates between both sides of the firing line. Efforts of the march's organizers leading up to the march along with several young men who participated in the march are captured. In addition, the military readiness of the British soldiers is also revealed. This movie unveils savage acts of the British soldiers as they fire upon the defenseless crowd.

I recommend this movie to anyone who is interested in this horrific day. It will make you think twice about the role of the military in Northern Ireland.

I just viewed my copy of Bloody Sunday and I was stunned. This is, quite simply, a tremendous film that portrays a day of absolute horrow in a way that captures the emotion and stays true to the factual accounts of what happened. It certainly does make the British forces look bad, but it should. The facts speak to unreal over-aggression by the British military that day and any true to life account needs to show what actually happened. Throughout the course of the film, you watch the development of this day from both sides. You are witness to those searching for civil rights in Northern Ireland and their efforts to organize a peaceful march in Derry. You are also witness to the British government and military forces, who expect a conflict and vigorously prepare for one. Finally, the film reaches its climax when the British military fires on those in the civil rights march and continues to engage them, killing 13 and wounding 14 more. Bloody Sunday is one of those days that needs to be remembered in vivid detail....not only so that justice can be served for the killing of innocent Irish citizens...but so an attrocity such as this never occurs again. It is a worthwhile subject, a stunning film, and one which I would strongly recommend to anyone out there looking for some good, quality viewing...especially those of Irish heritage.

When I saw that a movie called "Bloody Sunday" was playing at a local theater, my first thought was, "Oh, that's the U2 song." I knew it referred to a Northern Ireland civil rights protest where shooting broke out, but the song was basically the extent of my knowledge of the event. Once I decided it would be an interesting movie to see, I tried to avoid reading anything about what happened, in an attempt to go into the film with an open mind, to be completely receptive to director Paul Greengrass's vision. I saw the movie, and left the theater shocked, saddened, enraged, and bewildered, but with the firm impression that I had seen a truly remarkable film.

The movie is shot documentary-style, with many quick cuts and fade-outs to black to end a scene. It took a while to get used to this modus operandi, which at times seemed choppy, disrupting the flow of the movie. But as you lose yourself in this film the style makes sense and seems less obtrusive.

The acting is superb, lead by James Nesbit as protest organizer Ivan Cooper. And while it is fairly certain where Greengrass believes the blame for the tragedy lies, the film at least makes an attempt to explain the scenario from the British military's point of view. But instead of merely looking to reveal "who started it?", what should be taken from this view of events is that tensions were so elevated on both sides, that it took comparatively very little action to set off large-scale and vicious reactions. Such is the madness of war, which is basically what unfolded on the streets of Derry that day...

Greengrass's camera leads you right into the middle of this battle, from start to finish. The results are visually and emotionally jarring; the you-are-there feeling is intense. And at the end, almost as a reward for making it through the film, you are treated to a live version of U2's famously haunting song.

It is a travesty that this film was not nominated for (and chosen as) Best Foreign Film at this year's Oscars- supposedly an airing on European TV made it ineligible. Hopefully it will be honored in some other manner. "Bloody Sunday" is far from an uplifting movie but is definitely an important one, and nothing less than a marvel of modern filmmaking.

Paul Greengrass, who brought us the powerful and controversial "United 93," made a stunning film about the events that transpired on January 30, 1972 in Londonderry. Greengrass presents the film in a documentary fashion, giving the impression that you are observing the events as they take place. On that day, the Civil Rights Movement, led by MP Ivan Cooper, were determined to march in spite of an official ban on all such gatherings. The Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association fought against many abuses of power on the part of the Northern Ireland administration, but the core issue was the abolition of Operation Demetrius, or internment. Basically, British soldiers could arrest and intern those suspected of being paramilitary groups without charge or trial.

Cooper, who came from a rural Protestant background, wanted only a peaceful march. He urged IRA members not to bring weapons to the march, and advised youth who were harassed by soldiers to "just walk away." Unfortunately, due to high-levels of IRA/British soldier clashes, the "Paras" (1st Battalion of the British Parachute Regiment) were out in force. In addition, despite Cooper's pleas to the contrary, armed "Provos" (members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army) were present. It's still not clear how it began, but shots were fired, and the Paras killed 14 unarmed marchers and wounded several others. The film clearly implies that the British shot first, though that's something that may never be determined with certainty.

Shortly after the events of Bloody Sunday, the British government convened an inquiry known as the Widgery Inquiry. It absolved all the British soldiers of responsibility. In response to political pressure, Tony Blair launched the Saville Inquiry, which as of now has yet to release a report.

In the final part of the film, with Ivan Cooper and other Civil Rights leaders speaking at a press conference after the events, Cooper says: "I'd like to say to the British government- you know what you've done, don't you? You've destroyed the Civil Rights Movement. Tonight, young men will be lining up to join the IRA, and you will reap a whirlwind." His words proved to be prophetic. Had Bloody Sunday not happened, it's likely that the Civil Rights Movement could have achieved what the Good Friday and St. Andrews Agreements are now achieving.

The acting and direction in this movie are top-noptch. Even though the viewer knows what's going to happen, one feels a certain amount of suspense. The interment issue has an eerily contemporary ring to it, and this film shows the dangers of a militarized police force. The two featurettes on the DVD are quite informative as well. In sum, this movie is highly recommended, both for history fans and those who want to use the lessons of history to change the future.

I am 1/2 Irish, 1/2 British, by heritage, I am a history major and international relations minor, I have written many papers on Anglo-Irish relations for both subjects. It was the U2 song that got me intrested in the subjects. I have learned alot about my heritage, and the more I learn, the more I am ashamed of the 1/8 of me that is English (the other 3/8 are Welsh). I have read about the day from many different people; uninvolved 3rd party historians, Gerry Adams (who was not there), and both Irish and British authors, but seeing it, and knowing that it was a joint froduction of both the Itish and British film boards made me see a light, a comming together to heal old wounds. This move made me realise that while the English were evil monstars on that day (and on others) the IRA retailated in June of 1972 killing 9 UDA men and 2 soilders, I am a Nationalist, I want to see the North annexed back to the Republic where it belongs, but it can not be done through killing.
As for the movie, it is not for everyone, if you want to learn more about the day or the Troubles in general it is a good way to start.
I have read so much about the conflict that many of the disturbing and heartrenching facts have become common place in my head, but this film made me cry, and still does everytime I watch it. If you have any interest in the situation and want to learn more, I STRONGLY suggest you watch the film.