Woodyanders
Ireland in the early 1920's. The IRA battle the British Black and Tans in order to make Ireland a free country. Irish-American medical student Kerry O'Shea (a fine and engaging performance by Don Murray) tries to stay out of it, but becomes involved in the fracas after his best friend gets killed and he falls for comely British hostage Jennifer Curtis (a sturdy portrayal by Dana Wynter). Director Michael Anderson, working from a smart and compelling script by Marian Spitzer, Ivan Goff, and Ben Roberts, relates the riveting story at a steady pace, vividly captures a strong mood of civil unrest, and stages an exciting shoot-out on a loading dock with consummate skill and aplomb. James Cagney positively breathes fire with his dynamic turn as passionate rebel army leader Sean Lenihan, a man who has become so consumed with rage that he's degenerated into a cold-blooded psycho who kills strictly for the sake of killing instead of the better good of his country. Moreover, there are stand-out contributions from Glynis Johns as brash barmaid Kitty Brady, Michael Redgrave as a pragmatic general, Sybil Thorndike as the feisty Lady Fitzhugh, and Cyril Cusack as thoughtful poet Chris Noonan. Moreover, the filmmakers deserve additional praise for not only depicting war in a realistic and unglamorous manner, but also for delivering a pertinent and provocative central message on the perils of fanaticism. Kudos are also in order for Erwin Hillier's striking black and white cinematography and William Alwyn's robust'n'rousing score. Well worth watching.
Zriter59
I first saw this film when I was 11, and even then I much admired it. Have seen it I don't know how many times since, and my original feelings re. this flick have only intensified.First off, many contemporary folks, in and beyond the West, know far too little about the Irish "troubles." This film brings them home, establishing that despite atrocities on either side, neither held the moral high ground with absolute certainty.Cagney is superb. His accent falters occasionally (although he was an Irish-American). But he nails every facet of his character, from the dedicated doctor and professor of medicine to the IRA commander who descends into fanaticism. Most of the rest of the cast is excellent. Murray is a little, well, not quite at that level, but he still gives a respectable performance --
mfredenburg
Up till the time I saw this film I was not much of a Cagney fan. But after seeing this film; and "White Heat," I now understand why Cagney was such a big star.His portrayal of Sean Linahan as a member of the Irish Republican Army brilliantly portrays the thin line between being a dedicated freedom fighter/idealist and a fanatic. Sean Linahan has let hatred take control of his life and he now sees everything through the narrow prism of hate. As a fanatic he operates on an "ends justifies the means basis." Other characters in "Shake Hands with the Devil" are portrayed as men of character, who while fighting for freedom still hold on to their humanity and their compassion.This is very good movie that is very relevant in today's world and can be used as a starting point for a discussion on modern day Islamic Terrorism or any ism in which the ends justifying the means becomes a standard, not an exception.As a period film that seriously addresses mankind's nature, this film will be as current 20 years from now as when it was released.
bkoganbing
The politics of Shake Hands With the Devil have been eclipsed by the excellent biographical film Collins that starred Liam Neeson. But the other theme about war, especially endless civil war, is timeless and very relevant for today and not just in Ireland.The setting is 1921 and the Rebellion is in full swing. James Cagney is a professor of medicine at Trinity College in Dublin by day and an Irish Republican Army commander at night. One of his students, an Irish-American played by Don Murray, gets innocently caught up in the Rebellion and chooses to join the IRA after being captured by the special British unit, nicknamed the Black and Tans who are not terribly squeamish in their methods.Eventually the British opt for a truce and the General played by Michael Redgrave goes to London to sign a treaty giving Ireland Dominion status. Redgrave of course is Michael Collins and anyone who's seen the film Collins is aware of the politics. Redgrave was a great deal older than the real Michael Collins, then again he had to be in order to say that he's been fighting with Cagney for Irish independence for over 20 years.Cagney is against the treaty and like he said in the film, the split over that treaty led to a long and bloody Irish Civil war in the 1920s, with far more blood spilled than in the struggle against Great Britain.Gradually over the film it becomes apparent that Cagney has a lot of issues, violent and sexual. Think Cody Jarrett in the IRA and you'll have some idea. And there's no Ma Jarrett to control him. The tragic and luckless Glynis Johns is a victim of his wrath and Dana Wynter who is an IRA hostage almost becomes one as well. This is where the real acting talents of James Cagney are shown.Among some of the IRA members in his cell is Richard Harris who got his first real notice in this film. It's not Irish history per se, but it is a great story of the effects of interminable civil war.
AD
