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Some Mother's Son [VHS]
 
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Some Mother's Son [VHS] (1996)

Starring: Helen Mirren, Fionnula Flanagan Director: Terry George Rating: R (Restricted) Format: VHS Tape
4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)


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Product Details

  • Actors: Helen Mirren, Fionnula Flanagan, Aidan Gillen, David O'Hara, John Lynch
  • Directors: Terry George
  • Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC
  • Language: English
  • Rating: R (Restricted)
  • Number of tapes: 1
  • Studio: Turner Home Ent
  • VHS Release Date: June 2, 1998
  • Run Time: 111 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: 0790731142
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,329 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

    Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

    #5 in  Video > Art House & International > European Cinema > Ireland
    #16 in  Video > Drama > Family Life > Mothers & Sons
    #53 in  Video > Art House & International > United Kingdom > Drama

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential video
Terry George, the cowriter of In the Name of the Father, wrote and directed this 1996 drama based on actual events from 1981, when Irish Republican Army prisoners in Belfast's Maze Prison staged a hunger strike to protest against British prime minister Margaret Thatcher's political policies. Led by IRA prisoner Bobby Sands, the hunger strike eventually lead to the deaths of 10 prisoners, who had refused to wear prison uniforms to emphasize their identity as political (and not criminal) prisoners. But this fictionalized account is not about the hunger strikers as much as the moral dilemma faced by two of the strikers' mothers, played by Helen Mirren and Fionnula Flanagan in an emotional drama that gets right to the heart of the "Troubles" in Northern Ireland. While Annie (Flanagan) understands her son's political motivations and supports his readiness to die, Kathleen (Mirren) is a pacifist who cannot comprehend how any mother could sacrifice her own son to a political principle. The women become friends despite their opposing views, and desperately hope for a compromise in Irish-British negotiations while the hunger strikers continue to wither away. By keeping the Northern Irish conflict on such a purely personal level, Some Mother's Son both clarifies and complicates the difficult issues involved, making clear arguments for both mothers' actions in the context of a milestone event in Northern Ireland's history. The film doesn't pretend to hide its anti-British position, but the cause of death on both sides is deeply acknowledged. Through Helen Mirren's richly layered performance, Some Mother's Son asks if any belief is truly worth dying for, and poses the question on powerfully personal terms. --Jeff Shannon

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Customer Reviews

15 Reviews
5 star:
 (12)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Helen Mirren is always wonderful!, May 17, 2000
By "kayenine" (North Carolina) - See all my reviews
The movie is gripping and tells about the complexities involving the IRA, and the British Government. A heroic tale of men trying to fight for their freedom and the mothers who love them. The movie points out that there are no easy answers to this situation, and there are no winners--only losers, when it comes to war.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping, hair-raising, touching, June 3, 1999
By A Customer
This film of the involvment and interaction between families in Ireland who lived their political activism and families who tried their best to avoid the conflicts, but are drawn together by circustance, is impactful. The actresses are believable and the topic is straight from the headlines. It is an insight into how you can sometimes not bury your head in the sand, no matter how hard you try. There is also good in the hardcore politicos as well as in the more main stream conservatives. Outstanding film!
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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Sad but true., November 26, 2002
By A. Vegan (Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   
"Some Mother's Son" is yet another in a long list of films dealing with the strife in Ireland. This film is a thought provoking look into the world of the Irish Hunger Strike. Based around the activities of two IRA members who get captured and jailed. They fight for PoW status and begin a hunger strike to win support. One of the strikers (Bobby Sands) is elected to the British Parliament and their hopes are raised only to be dashed by Maggie Thatcher.

If you are into political, humanitarian or real life films, this film is for you.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars This is worth seeing.
This would break any mother's heart. A really well put together movie. I agree, the DVD is LONG overdue!
Published 14 months ago by Visitor

5.0 out of 5 stars Some Mother's Son
Great movie. Only wish it came on DVD now. I really hate using a VCR.
Published 19 months ago by Donald Shunney

5.0 out of 5 stars some mother's son
unfortunately there's no DVD with this movie... unless somebody decrypted VHS and recorded it on DVD disk... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Anna A. Siembab

5.0 out of 5 stars Greatest movie ever made about 'The Troubles' in Northern Ireland.
I purchased this movie just recently although I've had the soundtrack to the movie for a long time & listen to it constantly. Read more
Published 24 months ago by Joseph N. Sassone

5.0 out of 5 stars Great movie, but where's the DVD?
A great movie with some great acting. Helen Mirren is good as always, with great support. But where's the DVD? Way overdue.
Published on February 21, 2007 by Richard Byers

5.0 out of 5 stars a very touching story
This movie protrays a very trying and difficult time. It is done with simplicity and honesty and gives a glimpse into the lives of the people who had to live through some of the... Read more
Published on September 13, 2005 by Marsha A. Martin

5.0 out of 5 stars SOME MOTHER'S SON
A brilliant, provacative film. Very strong performances by Fionnula Flanagan and Helen Mirren.
Published on January 9, 2004 by Andrea L. Engelmann

5.0 out of 5 stars Some Mothers Son - The Truth Will Out.
I have watched this video several times. Everytime I see it, this movie has a different impact on me. Each time, it leaves a different mark. Read more
Published on January 13, 2003 by lucydavies_35

3.0 out of 5 stars Caveat emptor: a good, if obivously slanted, film
I like films about political conflict. I find that they stir my conscience and stimulate my critical thinking skills. Read more
Published on April 23, 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars A very poignant film.
A very moving film about the Troubles in Northern Ireland. I was deeply touched, and more aware of Ireland's history.
Published on May 21, 1999

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