L'épopée dans l'ombre

This is without question a superbly well-made film on "The Troubles", back at a time when the IRA was in full bloom. As has been noted here, everything works well - the excellent cinematography (with beautiful vistas of the Irish countryside), a superb cast, great direction, and a richly textured script. All the characters are well drawn and fleshed out. Cagney's work here as the fanatic physician/seditionist is among his best screen portrayals. One suspects at first that the film is going to be an outright paean to the IRA, but as the film progresses, the murderous and fanatic side of their work is made clear, and we are left with a complex and ambiguous picture. My one quibble is with the casting of the uber-English Michael Redgrave as an IRA chief; he doesn't even attempt a brogue. However, I cannot recommend this film highly enough; it is simply not to be missed.

An extremely restrained movie (never over-glorifying the Irish rebels or disparaging the British, except the Black & Tans who are essentially SS stormtroopers in this movie), if Shake Hands with the Devil makes any missteps it's exonerating its hero from cold-blooded murder and then funneling him into a cliched romantic subplot. It is a shame the protagonist didn't get more to work with. This is one the few times I wish a film was actually longer.

Predictable tropes aside, its a well-written movie with some amazing moments of cinematography. James Cagney delivers an incredible and understated performance as a freedom fighter driven mad by patriotism and his own desire for moral cleansing, one of the best roles of his career. Cyril Cusack and Richard Harris shine in supporting roles.

This movie is one of the older classics that doesn't get much play any more. It is a thought provoking piece, full of vivid characters, and told in an almost non stop action adventure way to make it super entertaining, even for the most impatient viewer. The movie centers on the Irish rebellion, with the reluctant hero, Don Murray, forced into the fray against the terrible Black and Tans. More historically accurate on the background scale than people want to admit. Cagney plays the "commadant" of several squads, who is a very hard liner in the IRA, totally against all compromise with the British authorities. The other characters are vividly expressed by the acting, writing, and directing. There is no weak spot in this film. The attitudes and reactions of each character to the evils by each, Cagney and the leader of the Black and Tans, makes this a remarkable film. Noonan, Cassidy, and also their British counterparts are portrayed as realistically dealing with the bloodshed caused by extremists. Innocent captives are taken by both sides, one a proper older lady jailed by the British, and the other a gorgeous knockout of a lady (Dana Wynter, who alone is worth watching the film for by a guy's standpoint, as there are absolutely no women in today's films as physically attractive as she is), a blue blood captured by the IRA, whom Murray swears to protect from harm. One thing that makes this movie so believable, is that the characters don't automatically assume and know everything that goes on. If the movie was made today, it would probably have such a flaw. This movie is ever so credible, particularly from a character standpoint. You feel the pain and torment of each individual. The movie is so relevant today, and it would be of great value to have it released in countries and lands where there is tumult. If every American should see "Jungle Fighters", "Southern Comfort," and "Ox Bow Incident", to show the dangers of judging others, then this movie should be seen by every Iraqi (and probably everybody) to see just how horrible terror tactics are, and the need for peaceful resolution to problems.

Shake Hands with the Devil is directed by Michael Anderson and adapted to screenplay by Marian Spitzer from the novel written by Rearden Conner. It stars James Cagney, Don Murray, Dana Wynter, Glynis Johns, Michael Redgrave and Sybil Thorndike. Music is by William Alywyn and cinematography by Erwin Hillier.

It's 1920s Dublin, Ireland, and the Irish Republican Army are at war with the British Black & Tans. Into the conflict comes Irish American Kerry O'Shea (Murray), who in spite of being apolitical is drawn into darker waters as the violence rages. Complications arise when a hostage situation unfurls, all while the strings are being pulled by the IRA's fearsome commandant, Sean Lenihan (Cagney), who wants Kerry under his wing.

It has always been a tricky subject to film, the so called Irish Troubles, for too many film makers have either been ignorant of the facts in the name of good cinema, or so fuelled by other motives it's difficult to get on side with such one sided venom. Michael Anderson's film, whilst itself harbouring dubious political material, deserves plaudits for trying to come at the topic from both sides, embracing the complexities of the issues and never shying away from the violence that tore through parts of Ireland. Even if it ends up being a little confused as to its aims.

Filmed on location predominantly in Dublin, there's almighty strength in the cinematography of Hillier (The Mark of Cain/Chase a Crooked Shadow). The night time shots of damp cobbled streets and gaslights are ethereal, while in daytime the lush landscapes are imposing yet still giving off a depressing hue. On the acting front it's Cagney who dominates, in one of his craziest and most crafty roles, he's a Vesuvius who darts between being the honourable cause man, to that of a psychotic who doesn't believe peace is a viable option. Strong support comes from Wynter and Johns.

Political hot-pot with wrought emotion, and action scenes that impact as Cagney does his stuff, Shake Hands with the Devil leaves a mark. 7/10

Irish-American Kerry O'Shea (Don Murray) is studying at the College of Surgeons in 1921 Dublin. He refuses to join the resistance after seeing the futility of war while fighting in the Great War. His professor Sean Lenihan (James Cagney) turns out to be a leader of the IRA. He and his friend Paddy get caught up in an IRA ambush. Paddy is killed and Kerry leaves behind his notebook which has his name. Kerry becomes a wanted man. He still refuses to join the IRA at first but the situation overtakes him.

Don Murray is horribly stiff and his character horribly naive. His story is melodramatic. In fact, there is a lot of old fashion melodramatic acting. I wish this movie is about Lenihan instead but at last, we're stuck with following Don Murray. James Cagney is definitely the more compelling actor and Don Murray pales in comparison. Cagney is brutal and exciting. His character is interesting. The story is a bit too long but it's still compelling enough.