Product Details

• Actors: Helen Mirren, John Lynch, Donal McCann, John Kavanagh, Ray McAnally
• Directors: Pat O'Connor
• Writers: Bernard MacLaverty
• Producers: David Puttnam, Terence A. Clegg
• Format: Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• VHS Release Date: September 1, 1998
• Run Time: 102 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6300270505
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #184,534 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Cal remains one of the finest films ever made about Ireland's contemporary troubles. It's a melancholy drama about a gentle 19-year-old Catholic in Northern Ireland (the title character, subtly played by John Lynch) who's haunted by his involvement with the IRA. He's attracted to a local widow (Helen Mirren) whose husband was murdered by an IRA assassin; Cal was a reluctant accessory to the killing. The attraction grows mutual between these lonely souls, but Cal's secret--and their inability to extract themselves from Ireland's violence--makes it impossible for love to blossom. Sensitively directed by Pat O'Connor, and enhanced by Mark Knopfler's fine, understated score, Cal tells a familiar story with quiet power and compassionate balance. Mirren, who won the Best Actress award at the Cannes film festival, matches Lynch with tender love in an atmosphere of hate. As Ireland continues to heal its political wounds, Cal is a quiet reminder that progress has been slow and rife with personal tragedy. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Once you come inside, there' s no way out!, December 25, 2005

By 

Hiram Gomez Pardo (Valencia, Venezuela) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cal (DVD)

This superb gem deals with the tribulations, disappointments and disillusions once the ideals face against the crude reality. John lynch is Cal a teenage boy who wants to sever his ties with the IRA. But the other side of the dramatis personae resides precisely in the fact, the widow of the policeman he helped murder, falls in love with him and he doubts if he must tell the sordid story or not.

Helen Mirren won her First Prize in Cannes as best actress in 1984 with this towering performance; (the second Prize in 1995 was awarded by The madness of King George). Ambitious and mature film that share all honors together with Hidden Agenda of Ken Loach.

A legendary icon of the Eighties.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deliberate, concise, bleak filmmaking, December 10, 2002

By 

DJ Joe Sixpack (...in Middle America) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Cal [VHS] (VHS Tape)

A sad but engaging story about a sensitive young Irish lad, who reluctantly works for the local IRA, and helps kill a policeman, only to later find himself befriended by the man's unsuspecting family. The saddest thing about this movie is how little has changed since it was made. Nice chance to see Helen Mirren early in her career.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The silences in this film say more than the best script., December 26, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Cal [VHS] (VHS Tape)

As Cal, John Lynch offers a portrait of quiet desperation and stoicism. The madness of the "Troubles" is muted but remains powerfully evident so that not even love can withstand them. A dark and affecting film that leaves you wondering whether there will ever be an answer.