The Irish Bookstore
Videos
Our goal is to have the largest selection of Irish and Irish-related videos on the Internet. Please check back as we add to this section. If you have any favorites that aren't listed here, please let us know.
Cal
(1984) Small, bittersweet coming-of-age political/romantic thriller about an
IRA soldier who falls for older woman from the "other side." Very enjoyable for fans
of intelligent dramas seeking thought-provoking, character-driven fare. Starring Helen Mirren, John Lynch.
Circle of Friends
(1994) Much-acclaimed, widely appealing, intelligent romantic drama about
relationship between "ugly duckling" and medical student in 1950s-era Ireland. Fans
of heartwarming, small-scale, character-driven love stories enjoy this, due to the
vivid, realistic performances. Starring Chris O'Donnell, Minnie Driver
The Commitments
(1991) An off-beat sleeper, this is the story of a group of blue-collar Irish kids who form a soul band, and almost make it. Heartwarming; great music. Starring Andrew Strong, Broonagh Gallagher.
The Crying Game(1992) "The most successful film in recent years to deal with the IRA and Northern
Ireland must be Neil Jordan's The Crying Game, for which he won an Oscar for
best screenplay. This comparatively low-budget film and quirky drama sees
Stephen Rea playing an IRA gunman who takes part in the kidnapping of a
British soldier, played by Forrest Whitaker. Miranda Richardson is excellent
as the mad, gun-toting Irish moll and newcomer Jaye Davidson plays the love
interest and catalyst of the film's plot, which drew the masses through word
of mouth. In true Jordan fashion, the film is provocative, humorous and
shocking, and shows the IRA in a violent and, at the same time, sensitive
light." - John Buckley, O'Connell Street.
The Devil's Own
(1997)Moody political thriller/psychological drama traces relationship
between undercover I.R.A. member, noble-minded N.Y.C. cop. Though mainstream
action/drama lovers will enjoy the stars' performances, the simplistic storyline will
disappoint serious genre fans.Starring Harrison Ford, Brad Pitt
Far and Away
(1992) Hollywood-style, feel-good saga of Irish immigrants in America got
lukewarm reviews. With its vivid cinematography and the romantic sparks between
lead actors, this pleases fans of mainstream historical romances. Starring Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman.
Fools of Fortune
(1990) Starring Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Iain Glen.The world is turned upside-down for members of a peaceful
Protestant family in Northern Ireland when they are attacked by British soldiers in
the post-WWI Irish war for independence.
The Field
(1990) An Irishman struggles to keep his plot of land out of the hands of an enterprising American. Starring Richard Harris, Tom Berenger.
Hidden Agenda
(1990) Policeman and female human rights investigator probe police
cover-up in Belfast. Irish political drama fans will appreciate exploration of "the
troubles," and mystery/suspense fans will enjoy the tense thrills. Starring Frances McDormand, Brian Cox
In the Name of the Father(1993) Starring Daniel Day Lewis, John Lynch.Gerry Conlon's account of his fifteen years in prison, having been falsely convicted, along with three others as one of the Guilford pub bombers in 1974. The film follows Conlon (Lewis) from Belfast to London in 1974 where along with three others, he finds himself accused of on circumstantial evidence of IRA membership and of carrying out the Guilford pub bombings.
Lamb
(1985) The wavering faith of a priest in Ireland is tested by the harsh
treatment of a child in a reform school. He renounces his vows and takes custody of
the boy. Starring Liam Neeson, Hugh O'Conor.
The Matchmaker
(1997) A light-hearted, low key comedy. An American politician sends his aid to Ireland to find his Irish roots to help him win a tight election. She instead finds romance. Starring Janeane Garofalo, Jay O. Sanders.
Michael Collins
(1996) Starring Liam Neeson, Aiden Quinn. Sweeping epic about Irish revolutionary's attempts to broker peace
with British. With its graphic, tense terrorist sequences, this pleases fans of
action-oriented historical drama who aren't seeking nuanced psychological studies.
The Miracle
(1991)The friendship of two Irish teens is tested when one tries to seduce
an American actress visiting their small town. Starring Beverly D'Angelo, Donal McCann.
The Molly Maguires
(1970) Starring Sean Connery, Richard Harris.
A secret Irish mineworker's group is infiltrated by an informer.
Based on the true story of striking miners in 1876 Pennsylvania.
My Left Foot
(1989) Inspirational, acclaimed biopic about Irish poet's fight against
cerebral palsy. With its ferocious performances, unflinching style, this thrills fans of
serious drama, those seeking uplifting portrait of human spirit's resilience. Starring Daniel Day Lewis, Brenda Fricker.
The Quiet Man
(1952) Much-loved, acclaimed Hollywood romance about American
prizefighter retiring to native Ireland to find a wife. High-spirited dialogue and
performances, along with lush photography, make this mandatory for starry-eyed
romantics. Starring John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara.
The Run of the Country
(1994) Starring Albert Finney, Matt Keeslar. Unable to step into the role his father has created for him, a young
man runs away from home after his mother dies. He lives for a time on the farm of
an Irish troublemaker and falls in love with the daughter of a wealthy family.
Ryan's Daughter
(1970) Lengthy Hollywood period drama about love triangle in WWI-era
Ireland. Got mixed reviews, but liked by fans of picturesque, sweeping melodramas
who enjoy overblown dialogue and soap operish storylines. Starring Robert Mitchum, Sarah Miles>
Some Mother's Son
(1996) Starring Helen Mirren, Fionnula Flanagan. Based-on-facts melodrama about personal impact of hunger strike
on mothers of imprisoned IRA members. Critics lauded Mirren's performance.
Appreciated by fans of topical docudramas, those following troubles in Northern
Ireland.
Waking Ned Devine
(1998) Comic Irish fable about little old man enlisting entire town to
hoodwink lottery official. Offers plenty to fans of gentle, character-driven comedy with
low-key screwball humor, warmly appealing eccentric characters.
Stars: Ian Bannen, David Kelly. Director: Kirk Jones.
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