Why no movies about 1916?

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Just take any-imperial movie and use your imagination. Star Wars will do at a push.

BuilderPlumber

whisky_galore wrote: »

Think the old IRA were placed on pedestals to be hero-worshipped for far too long, conveniently ignoring murkier activites.
PH did put his foot in it, big time, but the old spiel from our school days held that the boys of the old brigade were the all round good guys, like the 'white hats' in a cowboy movie. Questioning and re-examining events (with the research and proper evidence to back it up) shouldn't be a bad thing.

This is true so long as those doing the re-examining are not biased, agenda driven individuals. The likes of the Sindo crowd at it are agenda driven individuals involved with rightwing organisations who down the old and new IRA but put other less than worthy organisations on a pedestal instead.

The old IRA were a mix of good and bad. Yes, they were often fighting against dictatorship and can be seen as a reaction against the Penal Laws and other such things. The Black and Tans were no doubt violent, deranged and nervous -the deadliest cocktail- often but can one generalise all B&Ts as 'evil' any more than all old IRA as 'good'? Good and bad existed on both sides.

Today's revisionists often denounce (rightfully) the excesses of the Provos and question blind following of the 1916 leaders. They also condemn 'Islamic' fascism and its terrorist offspring but let themselves down by not condemning Western and Israeli aggression like the invasion of Iraq and the whole Palestinian issue.

To cut a long story short, I do not believe ANY political ideology should be placed on a pedestal. No more than I believe any should be 100% condemned. With hindsight, both Ireland and the UK are a lot better countries today than in 1916. Much freer. Would Ireland have fared better if it remained in the UK? The answer could well be yes. It certainly would not be in any worse a shape, and perhaps maybe in a better shape. Both countries are now modern and as free as one gets in today's world. But in 1916, things weren't all that clear with World War 1 threatening the status quo of the time and the direction of the then future. We can revise history based on what we now know, but back then no one knew.

cruais

The One Doctor wrote: »

I don't think anyone cares about 1916 anymore. I certainly don't.

Shame on you.

bnt

It wouldn't be the first time a film was made about a defeat. Gallipoli, A Bridge Too Far, and more. You have to wonder who the target audience would be, though, if you'd want to sell it outside Ireland. You couldn't have it say "all Brits are evil" and expect it to sell in the UK, but you could get away with an English "baddie", such as in The Patriot.

BuilderPlumber

bnt wrote: »

It wouldn't be the first time a film was made about a defeat. Gallipoli, A Bridge Too Far, and more. You have to wonder who the target audience would be, though, if you'd want to sell it outside Ireland. You couldn't have it say "all Brits are evil" and expect it to sell in the UK, but you could get away with an English "baddie", such as in The Patriot.

I think it would have to show a very balanced view of the whole thing. You have 4 contingents here -old IRA, pro-British non-Unionist Irish (Home Rule included), Unionists and the British.

The British were probably the most moderate side in it post rising and their offer of 26 and 6 county entities was probably the best solution for everyone and still is.

Tordelback

A Connolly biopic could be a brilliant way to approach 1916 - his earlier career is easy to grasp and get behind, then showing how the hell he ended up in the Rising and eventually Kilmianham could explore pretty much everything about those events. Hell of a downer, mind.

Lt J.R. Bell

Tordelback wrote: »

A Connolly biopic could be a brilliant way to approach 1916 - his earlier career is easy to grasp and get behind, then showing how the hell he ended up in the Rising and eventually Kilmianham could explore pretty much everything about those events. Hell of a downer, mind.

Time in Belfast and America would be interesting.alot of sad stories too from a human story point of view eg death of his child

He was intending his own rebellion, a socialist one. IRB got word and somewhat strong armed him to join their cause

The Corinthian

c_man wrote: »

Meanwhile for the rest of us who have knowledge of the event and a bit of imagination, there are a few shows/films definitely worth checking out.

Emphasis on the imagination rather than the knowledge, methinks...

FrostyJack

Does the The Plough and the Stars not count?

SaveOurLyric

Possibly because it is an element of our history that we are still embarrassed about and dont really wish to face up to ourselves or highlight to people abroad. Rebel terrorists attempting to overthrow a government by force in Dublin is too redolent of Hitler's Munich Putsch to many, and an aspect of the seizure of power that we prefer to brush under the carpet.

fiachr_a

There is a movie link with the Rising. Two future Hollywood actors were there, Arthur Shields and John Loder.

The Corinthian

FrostyJack wrote: »

Does the The Plough and the Stars not count?

It portrays an interpretation of the rising that many would prefer were not made known.

conorhal

veryangryman wrote: »

Just wondering given

a) The centenary
b) How many movies are out commemorating practicallly anything these days

Why they arent doing anything movie-wise on the Rising. Seems like a great topic to cover.

Is it the sensitivity etc...didnt stop them with Wind That Shakes Barley. Any theories?

Here you go OP:

http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/television/tv-news/charlie-murphy-brian-gleeson-and-sarah-greene-to-star-in-new-rte-drama-series-rebellion-31241686.html

Of course it is RTE, so doubltess it will paint all those involved in the rising as tragically gullible fools.