Product Details

• Actors: Pat Laffan, Colm Meaney, Adrian Dunbar, Mairead Ni Conghaile, Cillian Murphy
• Directors: Bata Paskaljevic
• Format: Closed-captioned, 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: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Allumination
• DVD Release Date: May 31, 2005
• Run Time: 100 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0007Y08XI
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #66,313 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Synopsis: Believing that "a man is measured by his enemies", Harry Maloney (Colm Meaney) plots to destroy George O'Flaherty, the most powerful man in town. Unfortunately for Harry, his chosen nemesis is also the town's matchmaker, and he needs George to broker the marriage of his dim but handsome son, Gus (Cillian Murphey). Being indebted to George only fuels Harry's irrational hatred more. But somehow, no matter how hard he schemes to bedevil George, Harry proves to be his own worst enemy.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "I Had The Dream Again, About The Tree" , January 5, 2007

By	Brian E. Erland "Rainbow Sphinx" (Brea, CA - USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

`Bitter Harvest' released in '01 is a fascinating blending of an enchanting Irish countryside circa '24, first love and what could have been a life of quiet contentment for the citizens of the town of Skillet if not for the obsessive, irrational mindset of one mean-spirited local named Harry (Colm Meaney).

Harry is convinced that the measure of his personal greatness is measured by his enemies. Hence he decides to make the most successful man in the community his chosen adversary. Fueled by a series of dreams in which he envisions himself turning into a great tree, he devotes himself to his hatred as though fueled by a revelation from God.

`Bitter Harvest' is cinematically mesmerizing with an excellent soundtrack and wonderful performances by the entire cast. Cillian Murphy delivers a strong, though understated performance and Kerry Condon is lovely as his love interest Eileen. However the magic in this film is conjured up by Colm Meaney. Following the bizarre journey of Harry's mental machinations in an effort to destroy his would-be adversary is what makes this film so enthralling.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Buried Jewel, October 26, 2006

By	r3dh3ad "dub gal" (Oxford, NC USA) - See all my reviews

As an American, it took me a bit to get used to the language of rural Ireland in the 1920's, but this film draws you into a world that seems not at all foreign after a while. Unlike the relentlessly depressing "The Field", this is a drama of real tragedies - the small, silly tragedies that we create and that are created for us- and also, of real hope. The original Irish title of this film "How Harry Became a Tree" is so much more fitting than the US "Bitter Harvest" (what were they thinking?), though fortunately the brilliant allegory of the tree is not lost with the title change. Performances are universally outstanding and poignant, the photography beautiful, the music haunting. See this film and see how the Irish continue to astonish with their mastery of language and vision.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!!!!!, March 2, 2007

By	Cookie "Cookie" (malibu, ca) - See all my reviews

This is the kind of movie Hollywood needs to start making. I'm so sick of American films. Blowing up buildings, sex scenes that really don't fit the film, violence for no reason. I'm enjoying films from other countries more and more and this one is fantastic. A human story told beautifully and the acting is just wonderful. None of that Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise acting but real true acting. The actors are just real ppl they aren't barbie or ken dolls, they have crooked teeth and real bodies. In addition to the fact they can really act. This is a wonderful original story and you would be a fool not to add this your collection.