The Wind That Shakes The Barley

This excellently acted and thought-provoking drama takes on heavy subject matter, dealing with the uprising against the British in 1920s occupied Ireland, but there is much more to it than the politics and controversy that have won it headlines. It's told and performed with passion and intensity, and its story of two brothers whose differing principles lead them to join opposing armies makes for gripping entertainment. Murphy gives his most human performance to date, proving that those piercing eyes can express much more than villainy, and Loach paces the film well, with an incident-packed first half drawing in the audience and allowing for a considered and intellectually stimulating conclusion. In amongst the mass of shallow, focus-grouped, crowd-pleasing blockbusters, this is a film of integrity which really challenges - one not to be missed. [Paul Gallagher]