Bloody Sunday

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Year:	2002
Country of origin:	UK / Ireland
Director:	Paul Greengrass
Genre:	Irish 'Troubles' drama
Starring:	James Nesbitt, Tim Pigott-Smith, Nicholas Farrell
Rating:	5/5
IMDB link:	http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0280491/
Tagline:	No tagline
Favourite line:	I just want to say this to the British Government... You know what you've just done, don't you? You've destroyed the civil rights movement, and you've given the IRA the biggest victory it will ever have. All over this city tonight, young men... boys will be joining the IRA, and you will reap a whirlwind.

Paul Greengrass is making something of a name
for himself as a real top quality director, and this movie is no exception.
Treading similar stylistic ground to the equally excellent United '93, this takes a politically charged subject - in this case the Bloody Sunday shooting of Northern Irish citizens by a British paratroop regiment in 1972, and serves up a dramatized account of events.
Starkly realistic, this is bone chilling in its depiction of a situation simply spiralling out of control, and there is a real sense of inevitability.
On one side, a Civil Rights march, banned by the British government, whose number include a good many disenfranchised young men sick and tired of what they perceive as the British occupation of their home.
On the other, a platoon of paratroopers sick and tired of being spat on, shot at, stoned etc, and eager to exact a little revenge.
As the leaders on both sides lose a grip on the situation, events descend, resulting in a maelstrom of bloodshed and violence, with both sides aiming recriminations at the other.
Historically fascinating though, as with United '93, it seems clear a little artistic licence has been allowed, for those unfamiliar with the history of The Troubles, myself included it must be stressed, this seems as good a place to start as any.
Upsetting, depressing, but ultimately enlightening, this is a thoroughly recommended slice of cinema.