Bloody Sunday
Reviewer: Jordan Brown
Issue 101 March 2008
(1 votes, average: 8 out of 10)
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Peaceful protest goes pear-shaped.
The Lowdown: Despite attempts to avoid bloodshed, an anti-internment march through Derry descends into carnage when British troops open fire on unarmed civilians. Prompting hundreds of young men to join the IRA, the day will forever be remembered as the catalyst for 25 years of conflict. January 30th, 1972 – Bloody Sunday.
Review: When a film deals with a subject as sensitive as the blood-drenched day that kicked off 25 years of violence, you can expect it to be met with controversy. With his leading man James Nesbitt getting death threats for his portrayal of Northern Irish MP Ivan Cooper, director Paul Greengrass can at least be certain that his uncompromising movie struck an emotional chord.
Receiving umpteen awards and nominations, Greengrass’ account of Derry’s dark Sunday garnered much-deserved critical praise upon its release back in 2002. Largely unbiased, the action follows peaceful protester Ivan Cooper as he attempts to rally locals in an anti-internment march. Despite his best efforts to keep the situation civilised, things take a nasty turn when British paratroopers open fire on the marchers for throwing rocks. As 13 are shot dead and another 13 wounded, the horrific situation sees Britain facing a future of IRA backlash.
Using natural lighting and handheld cameras, Bloody Sunday is a meticulous and astoundingly realistic representation of the events that transpired that fateful day. With award-winning performances, jaw-dropping visuals and extras that include a chat with Ivan Cooper himself, Bloody Sunday is a disc that boasts reality at its most heart-wrenchingly brutal. With the helmer’s bigger projects (The Bourne Ultimatum/Supremacy, United 93) casting a shadow over his lesser-known works, this emotive masterpiece is the sort of material that’s in danger of being forgotten about within a few years. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.
FILM: 8 EXTRAS: 6
DVD Info:
Certificate: 15
Starring: James Nesbitt, Allan Gildea, Gerard Crossan
Directed By: Paul Greengrass, 2002
Distributor: Optimum
Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0
Visuals: 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Running Time: 106 mins
Price: £17.99
Film supplied by: Optimum
Special Features:
Scene Selection
Audio Commentary With Director Paul Greengrass and Star James Nesbitt
Audio Commentary With Eyewitness and Author Don Mullan
Cast & Crew Interview
Q&A Session
‘History Retold’ Featurette
‘Ivan Cooper Remembers’ Featurette
