Harry's Game

Those of us who were fortunate enough to see Harry's Game in 1982 on TV were watching a stitched together version for broadcast distribution. It was originally made as a TV mini series in three one-hour parts. The recently available British DVD (PAL region 2) is shown in its original episodic format.

The other postings have said enough to describe the story, so I won't go into it. We've seen the story in many incarnations, but the real attraction to this film is the film making.

Typical of British cinema, it is very Spartan: no superfluous music, sound, or special effects. The costumes are "everyday," and the sets are actual row houses, typical of the times and area. This gritty story plays out without cinematic distractions or any of the nauseating political correctness which has become "de rigueur" in today's films.

It has been said about music that a simple melody well played is far more beautiful than a symphony butchered. Similarly, one can say about film that a simple, believable story well told is far more captivating than a howler of a story tossed together with a dog's dinner of special effects. Think of this film in terms of Zen.

** I will say the very opening of the film with the haunting Celtic vocals by Enya and Clannad instantly caught my attention. At the time Enya was merely the vocalist in the family band, Clannad, and in 1981, was an unknown in North America. However, I knew immediately this was a voice destined for greatness. For Enya fans who only know her music, the "Theme to Harry's Game" refers to this marvelous film.

This is yet another example of the abysmal ignorance of marketing on the part of the British film industry. Evidently the owners of the property don't like making money. The only thing this film lacked was a marketing budget and someone to market it.

For film lover's who are disappointed by the dearth of North American releases of marvelous British, Aussie and European films, I would highly recommend purchasing a region free DVD player, and ordering your films from England. There are several sites which sell them very cheap. Also, if you like French cinema, set your browser to detect French language hits also when you search film titles. Lots of great used titles available on ebay.fr or amazon.fr.

I was over in Belfast not long after this film came out & although it was filmed in Leeds, it is so close to looking like Belfast that it always brings back memories -- good & bad. The acting is excellent, most of the accents authentic, the immorality of the bosses on both sides well shown, & the plot totally believable. There now seems a real chance of peace in NI but if ever the 'troubles' resume, this should be used to prepare anyone posted over there. Thoroughly recommended.

I have had "Harry's Game" in my video collection for about 12 years and I have watched it many times. Nothing released by mainstream cinema, British or American, comes anywhere close to touching the fear and desperate tension felt by the troops on the ground of both sides in the Troubles. It is an intelligent, very well made, exciting and despairing film which deserved wide release in cinemas throughout the world - pity it was made for television. Like Mark Leeper I have been strongly recommending "Harry's Game" to anyone interested in first quality film-making.

After a cabinet minister is gunned down in front of his wife and children on a London street the Provisional IRA claim responsibility. The killer, Billy Downes, makes his way back to the Falls Road in Belfast but it isn't long before a man is sent to find him. That man is army officer, an Ulsterman who takes lodging in The Falls claiming to have been away working as a merchant seaman. He doesn't know Downes identity; all he has to go on is an identikit picture and information he gleans from the locals. Any information gained has the potential to endanger the person who told him. The IRA learn that there is a man, who is unknown to the authorities in Northern Ireland, and start hunting for any outsiders; it is soon a cat and mouse came as Harry searches for Downes and the IRA hunt for him.

This superlative three part TV drama has a very natural feel; there is nothing glamourous about what is happening and Harry is far from the traditional hero. There is an almost constant feeling that things could easily go wrong for him and that would almost certainly mean torture and death. The creators could easily have made Downes a monstrous character but instead he is a fairly ordinary person, almost sympathetic at times as his commanders keep using him without risking themselves. The acting is impressive throughout; the fact that there are few familiar faces makes it feel all the more real. Ray Lonnen and Derek Thompson stand out as Harry and Downes. While most of it was filmed in Leeds rather than Belfast I doubt many viewers will realise... the only times I thought 'That's not Northern Ireland' were when prominent British Rail logos, not the Northern Ireland Railway logos, were shown... a very minor quibble indeed. The story plays out well with many moments of real tension and an ending that will stick with the viewer years after they first see it.

Yes, this is a bleak portrait of the Troubles. Yes, it has wonderful music and a theme tune that strike you. But no, this isn't a masterpiece. It is a flawed masterpiece on its own accord. The accents spoken by some of its actors are a joke whilst some of its characters aren't well-presented in an acceptable manner. Plus, this plot needs more strength than ingenuity.

Without giving too much away, here are some questions for you...

1. If Harry, who is disguised as an Irish citizen, enters the Ardoyne area of Belfast, how come the Catholic taxi driver recognises an Army-type suitcase in the back without raising the alarm?

2. If Billy was supposed to run as far as his home with a wounded arm, would he really make it in time to see his wife?

3. If the British Army knew one of their military agents was going to get Harry, how on earth did they not know who the killer was in the first place?

Think before you leap is what I suggest when it comes to this overrated piece of TV history.