Le grand défi

Oh dear a Hollywood thriller featuring the Provisional IRA that was made at the height of the troubles . Let me guess whose side the film might be taking ? "One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter" you state with self righteous smugness . Well there's women and children being raped to death by Jihadists' in the Caliphate as I write this . Anyone consider them to be freedom fighters ? The only thing terrorists offer people is the freedom from freedom . But you can guarantee that Hollywood will delude themselves that if someone has an Irish accent , a Kalashnikov and a pile of semtex there's no way he can be classed as a "terrorist" , so imagine my surprise that I came across a very even handed portrayal of Irish terrorism

The plot is simple and features an Irishman Niall Hennessey whose wife and daughter are killed in a riot in Belfast and wants to take his revenge by blowing up the Queen's state opening of parliament . This is seen as a step too far by the Provisionals so set out to eliminate Hennessey

The idea of the IRA going after a rogue player however is not as far fetched as it seems . Sure it's all down to self preservation . As real life events would later prove the IRA's failed assassination plot of the Prime Minster and her cabinet in 1984 with the Brighton bombing destroyed any intermittent dialogue between the British government and the IRA for several years . Wipe out the Royal family and British government is just asking for trouble because the retaliation and fall out would totally alienate the Provos from any political carrots being offered so yes the motives and credibility as seen here ring absolutely true

HENNESSEY is a rather familiar thriller of one man finding himself alone and on the run from both sides but this isn't necessarily a criticism . When the film does make vaguely political statements then it does tie itself up a little bit . For example a news report states sectarian differences are put aside for the youths killed in the riot , but I can tell you a small minority of people living in Republican or Loyalist ghettos will never come together to remember the dead of the other side . Quite the reverse , it'd be a cause of celebration and much drinking . Sad but true

Rod Steiger is one of these actors whose talent far exceeds most of the films he's been in and HENNESSY is sort of mid table . It's not a role that screams Oscar nomination but at the same time he does give a rather understated performance and it's not often you see a film where the lead IRA man isn't played by some hunky man . Sean Bean , Richard Gere and Brad Pitt have all played IRA men so it's a nice change that the producers didn't think of getting Paul Newman or Robert Redford in the title role so let's be grateful for that

Oh and no review of this movie can be complete without saying "Some very good editing and the archive footage of the Queen blends so seamlessly in to the film you'd think she's actually been filmed onset as herself"

Back in 1975, when this controversial political thriller was released, critics were quick to call it "implausible", "unbelievable" and "far-fetched". But since then, the western world has had a few wake-up calls. The 9/11 terrorist attacks; the Madrid bombings; hunt-campaigners breaking into Parliament and hurling powder pellets onto the Prime Minister; the suicide bombings on the London Underground.... to name but a few. In retrospect, Hennessy may have been made at a time when the top-brass of Britsh and American governments and armies thought themselves invulnerable, but looking at it from a modern perspective this is a chillingly possible tale. It is not even slightly far-fetched or implausible.... this is a genuinely unsettling, suspenseful and thought-provoking thriller.

Northern Irish explosive expert Niall Hennessy (Rod Steiger) lives a peaceful life in Belfast with his wife and daughter. He has IRA contacts, including the dangerous and wanted Tobin (Eric Porter), but Hennessy repeatedly refuses to get involved in their violent activities, even refusing to provide them with small amounts of gelignite. However, one day during a street riot the British Army inadvertently open fire on the rioters, and in the confusion Hennessy's wife and child are killed. Distraught, Hennessy heads for London with the aim of revisiting his loss on the English capital. His unthinkable plot is to blow up the Royal Family and the members of parliament in the House of Peers. Fearing a backlash and an influx of extra soldiers in Belfast, Tobin sets out to stop Hennessy. Also, Special Branch detective Inspector Hollis (Richard Johnson - who also came up with the film's story) races against time to prevent Hennessy's explosive scheme.

As in The Day Of The Jackal, the audience knows from the outset that Hennessy's horrifying plot is doomed to fail.... but also like The Day Of The Jackal, this film still generates terrific excitement. Hennessy, as essayed by the excellent Rod Steiger (in one of his most subtle, least hammy roles), is a very sympathetic figure and it is only because his revenge plot is so terrible that we do not want him to succeed. Hollis, the cop out to stop him, is very convincingly played by Richard Johnson, and there are further notable performances from Lee Remick as the widow of a one-time IRA saboteur and Trevor Howard as Hollis's over-confident, under-cautious superior. Director Don Sharp, whose films are usually mediocre at best, is in uncommonly good form, serving up a thriller of considerable tension and topicality. In today's vulnerable society, films of this kind remind us of the perilous position we're in at the mercy of embittered extremists.... and Hennessy is one of the best of its type.

If anyone liked "Day of the Jackal", then they will certainly like this movie. The plot is similar in that a political enemy is to be killed by an individual. In this case two groups are trying to stop the killing-the government of Great Britain and the IRA. The IRA is not trying to defend great Britain but trying to prevent the backlash that would have been certain if the Queen and her family along with the House of Lords and Parliment were blown up. Definitely worth seeing in any case because of Rod Steiger's performance..

My father-in-law, Les Hammond, did the sound on this film, and I remember at the time him telling me that he did not think this film would be released on general release because the authorities thought it would be looked upon as some sort of bible for terrorism. We went to see it a long time after it's release, and I'm pleased to say that it was an eye opener. The storyline was good, the acting was excellent (the accents were difficult but you can't have everything). I'm a great fan of Rod Stiger and he did not let anyone down in this film. Les Hammond is still in rude health and will be celebrating his 100th birthday on 6th June 2008.

Nearby half a century before the Queen co-starred with Daniel Craig she supported Rod Steiger in this ambitious A. I. P. Production that rather recklessly opened a can of worms by combining The Troubles with the Royal Family.

Whatever. It works perfectly well experienced simply as a gripping thriller building up to a climax as dramatic as that of 'The Day of the Jackal' with a showy part for Steiger in the tortured title role and is well acted by a good cast - most of them adopting Irish brogues - of whom one, Richard Johnson, actually supplied the original story.