Product Details

• Actors: Gerard McSorley, Michele Forbes, Brenda Fricker, Stuart Graham, Peter Ballance
• Directors: Pete Travis
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Sundance Channel Home Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: October 18, 2005
• Run Time: 102 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000AQKV1C
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,496 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  Movies & TV > Art House & International > European Cinema > Ireland

• For more information about "Omagh" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The August 15, 1998 terrorist bombing in the Northern Ireland town of Omagh that killed 29 and injured hundreds of others is the raison d'etre for director Pete Travis's movie of the same name. But the bulk of this moving, beautifully-made film is devoted to the aftermath of the bombing, and American viewers still reeling from the atrocities of 9/11/01 and the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Katrina may well find those events to be not merely compelling but hauntingly familiar. There's little suspense here; indeed, we know what's going to happen from the opening credits, when we see the bomb being made and planted in a car parked on the town's busy main street. Thereafter, people like Michael Gallagher (a fine, low key performance by Gerard McSorley) and his family must first deal with the excruciating agony of losing a loved one. But when weeks pass without a single arrest having been made, Gallagher and others form a support group and ask a simple question: Why? Instead of anything resembling justice, what they encounter are a host of incompetent, slow-reacting politicians and other officials offering little more than smarmy evasions. And that's not even the worst of it; in the most harrowing echo of 9/11 and Katrina, the film suggests that the folks in charge may even have ignored explicit warnings that the bomb (which was the work of a group calling itself "the real Irish Republican Army") was coming. Dramatic and moving without being the least bit sappy or sentimental, Omagh is a riveting, relevant piece of work. --Sam Graham

Product Description

A gripping and emotional examination of the aftermath of the 1998 Real IRA bombing that killed 29 people in Omagh Northern Ireland.2005 BAFTA Award for Best Single Drama2004 IFTA Award for Best Actor (Gerard McSorley)2004 IFTA Award for Best Irish Film2004 Best European Film Award2004 Discovery Award Winner at Toronto International Film FestivalSystem Requirements:Running Time: 106 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA/TRUE STORY Rating: NR UPC: 829567027721 Manufacturer No: SC0277D

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "You're in the way of the Peace Process, Michael", October 20, 2005

By	Alejandra Vernon "artist & illustrator" (Long Beach, California) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

On August 15th, 1998, 3 months after the Good Friday Peace Settlement, a 500 lb. car bomb exploded in the town of Omagh, killing 29 people (one who was expecting twins), and injuring 160. It was the "the most grave and exceptional crime in the history of Northern Ireland," and rumors of government conspiracy and cover-up continue to this day. "Omagh" starts in the early morning hours of the 15th, with the terrorists preparing the bomb, the deadly, horrific scene of the explosion, which was made worse by the misinformed police directing the people towards the bomb instead of away from it. It continues with the inexpressible grief of the families seeking their loved ones in the aftermath. The central focus of the film is the story of Michael Gallagher, who lost his 21 year-old son Aiden in the blast, and to this day seeks justice that is hard to come by, as many government officials from both sides have seemingly stalled the process. Gallagher was told that the Peace Process was more important, and we see his frustration dealing with the authorities as the spokesman for the bereaved families.

Directed by Pete Travis, this is a wrenching film with marvelous performances, notably by Gerard McSorley as Gallagher, and Michelle Forbes as his wife Patsy. Brenda Fricker has a small but pivotal role as Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan, who uncovered much of the details behind the government inaction. "Omagh" is a riveting but sometimes flawed film, and should be seen for its historical value for those interested in the many years of Troubles in Ireland, and the timely topic of terrorism worldwide. I needed to use the subtitle option, not because of the Irish accents, but because the audio is unbalanced, and at times inaudible. Another quibble is the print used for the titles, credits, and most importantly the aftermath update, is so small it is illegible on my 27" screen. Information on this incident is widely available on the internet however, and one can read that justice has been slow and meager. Total running time is 106 minutes.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Poignant Reminder of Northern Ireland's Troubled Past, March 15, 2006

By	Timothy Kearney (Hull, MA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The bombing in Omagh August of 1998 caught most of the world by surprise. It seemed as if the peace accords were off to a good start and the tragic bombing of the center of this Northern Irish city potentially put the good work started to a halt. Fortunately the bombing in Omagh was handled somewhat differently than other bombings and the people themselves made certain that their cause was not ignored. Justice ahs been slow and in many cases delayed, but the aftermath of the bombing did show the world that the "Troubles" could possibly become a memory of the past. The film OMAGH chronicles the bombing and its aftermath.

This film version of the story of Omagh starts Gerard Mc Sorley as Michael Gallagher, a father who looses his teenaged son in the bombing. Gallagher is no stranger to loss. In 1984 he lost a brother to an IRA bombing which was never settled and he made certain the same would not happen with his son. The film focuses on the outraged people of the city. We see the conflicts between those who immediately want to blame the British and those who believe they have a more enlightened attitude. We see old prejudices surface as well as cover-ups by the governments of Britain, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The film shows the ups and downs of the people as well as their reactions to the news that much of the information and evidence that could catch those responsible was destroyed in a misguided belief by many that forgetting the matter would somehow lead to peace.

The film is moving due in no small part to its simple plot and its sparseness. There are no surprising plot twists which allows the viewer to remain focused on the story. This is not a "forty shades of green" kind of film where the beauty of Ireland is breathtaking. We do get a sense of the beauty of the land, but this is a working class area that seems to be all but forgotten. This starkness is a perfect backdrop for the film. At the beginning we meet Gallagher's son Aidan, a likeable but not spectacular kid, like any kids on the street. Immediately we feel the loss when we discover his death, reminding us that those lost had people who loved them and their deaths were significant. We understand the toll the loss takes on Michael, as well as his family. OMAGH is a powerful film that will reverberate in the minds and hearts of those who love Ireland, mourn for its often turbulent past, and hope for the wonderful future it so richly deserves.

35 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ...get me out of this hell, October 14, 2005

By	Gerry O'neill (Morrisville, NC United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

How do you write a review when you cannot find the words to experience what you have witnessed?

Having just sat through this rivetting, compelling drama I find myself pretty much at a loss for words. It is almost as if you empathise with everything the characters went through in this gritty portrayl of the terrible events that literally and metaphorically shook the town of Omagh those few short years ago.

You share the grief stricken anxiety of waiting for news of the son whose family story lies at the heart of this tale. After all of the carnage and bloodshed which has appeared on television screens in recent years it is impossible to stay dry eyed as events unfold in this harrowing story.

The subject matter is difficult, the lessons learned are hard. The search for conclusion by these families is traumatic and very painful. This portrayal is a testament to the film makers and to the actors involved as well as to the strength, determination and resolve of the inhabitants of the city.

To me the film makes us all look deep inside ourselves and question our views and attitudes to the issues it raises and puts those views into stark relief.

This is a powerful and moving drama. I am not convinced that the rating is adequate for the harrowing scenes of the explosion and it's aftermath. Most people never experience the appalling horror of a terrorist attack. After viewing this extraordinary account we should all think twice about the sort of world we want for ourselves and for our children.

For me this is by far and away the best movie I have seen at least this year.