L'épopée dans l'ombre

Up till the time I saw this film I was not much of a Cagney fan. But after seeing this film; and "White Heat," I now understand why Cagney was such a big star.

His portrayal of Sean Linahan as a member of the Irish Republican Army brilliantly portrays the thin line between being a dedicated freedom fighter/idealist and a fanatic. Sean Linahan has let hatred take control of his life and he now sees everything through the narrow prism of hate. As a fanatic he operates on an "ends justifies the means basis." Other characters in "Shake Hands with the Devil" are portrayed as men of character, who while fighting for freedom still hold on to their humanity and their compassion.

This is very good movie that is very relevant in today's world and can be used as a starting point for a discussion on modern day Islamic Terrorism or any ism in which the ends justifying the means becomes a standard, not an exception.

As a period film that seriously addresses mankind's nature, this film will be as current 20 years from now as when it was released.

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.

The powerful imagery extends to characters as well as extraordinary cinematography. A fine cast turns in great performances all around. Beautiful b&w photography appears to be born of a long and co-operative association between director Michael Anderson and cinematographer Erwin Hillier. There is ample evidence of a director at work with a firm sense of purpose and the creative ability to pull it off. Unusual for its time in this respect. This film confirms what I've heard today's filmmakers (Scorcese and Spielberg) are saying--the work of Michael Anderson deserves much greater recognition.

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.

The politics of Shake Hands With the Devil have been eclipsed by the excellent biographical film Collins that starred Liam Neeson. But the other theme about war, especially endless civil war, is timeless and very relevant for today and not just in Ireland.

The setting is 1921 and the Rebellion is in full swing. James Cagney is a professor of medicine at Trinity College in Dublin by day and an Irish Republican Army commander at night. One of his students, an Irish-American played by Don Murray, gets innocently caught up in the Rebellion and chooses to join the IRA after being captured by the special British unit, nicknamed the Black and Tans who are not terribly squeamish in their methods.

Eventually the British opt for a truce and the General played by Michael Redgrave goes to London to sign a treaty giving Ireland Dominion status. Redgrave of course is Michael Collins and anyone who's seen the film Collins is aware of the politics. Redgrave was a great deal older than the real Michael Collins, then again he had to be in order to say that he's been fighting with Cagney for Irish independence for over 20 years.

Cagney is against the treaty and like he said in the film, the split over that treaty led to a long and bloody Irish Civil war in the 1920s, with far more blood spilled than in the struggle against Great Britain.

Gradually over the film it becomes apparent that Cagney has a lot of issues, violent and sexual. Think Cody Jarrett in the IRA and you'll have some idea. And there's no Ma Jarrett to control him. The tragic and luckless Glynis Johns is a victim of his wrath and Dana Wynter who is an IRA hostage almost becomes one as well. This is where the real acting talents of James Cagney are shown.

Among some of the IRA members in his cell is Richard Harris who got his first real notice in this film.

It's not Irish history per se, but it is a great story of the effects of interminable civil war.