Devil's Own (DVD 1998)

Whenever Hollywood attempts to cover such a tenuous subject, like in this example the Northern Ireland troubles, they nearly always come in for fierce criticism for misunderstanding the issues, and to be perfectly frank, they deserve every piece of flack they got for this example. So let's get that out of the way first.
The movie tried to be all things to all people. It tried to be tough on the terrorist lifestyle but at the same time it doesn't want to offend certain communities (far easier to have a stereotype sinister British Intelligence officer than portray the IRA as murderers isn't it?) So for example you have Brad Pitt as an IRA Terrorist, and yet he is actually a "nice" terrorist. He's never killed a civilian, he's only doing it because his dad himself was murdered and he comes out with incredible lines like "the Government that has failed both sides"! Yeah Right!

Harrison Ford is career NY Cop, playing everything down the line, he abhors the lifestyle of Pitt and yet still likes and admires him. He hates the British Intelligence officer more though because he's going to kill Pitt, whereas Ford believes he can do the right thing, and simply bring Pitt to justice.

The list is really endless with this sort of "terrorist or freedom fighter" drivel, and the film makes no attempt to portrait any of the reality of the Northern Ireland conflict.

But, I guess the question we need to ask is, was this a film about the Northern Ireland troubles or is the Northern Ireland Troubles simply a background used to present what is an entertaining film? If it is the later, then the film works remarkably well.

Both leads give good accounts of themselves. Pitt wins you over with his charming good looks and weepy eyes and no-one does the grim sickened expression as well as Ford. The pace of the film is nicely judged with the action scenes placed well with the family orientated scenes, and I thought the insights into Ford's regular day job well worked and a useful addition to the story. Credit to here to Ruben Blades as Ford's police partner.

As I say if you forget the background then it's a great thriller romp. Think too much about the plot and the film will loose its sparkle.

i jst luv irish films and films about irish history i recommend them................................................................

I bought this dvd for my grandad who had wanted it for a long time. The copy was in very good condition and he enjoyed watching it again.

its a true meaning of how i grew up in n.ireland and the way things were ok some of it might seem far fetched but then live there in those days and tell me that sleep on a floor at night in ase of stray bullets yes brad pitt done an excellent potrayal