Shake Hands with the Devil (1959)
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- Approved
- 1h 51min
- Action, Drama
- 24 Jun 1959 (USA)
- Movie
In 1920s Ireland, I.R.A. members are being led by the war mongering Dr. Sean Lenihan (James Cagney), as they fight oppressive British forces.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Photos and Videos
Complete, Cast awaiting verification
| James Cagney | ... |
Sean Lenihan
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| Don Murray | ... |
Kerry O'Shea
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| Dana Wynter | ... |
Jennifer Curtis
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| Glynis Johns | ... |
Kitty Brady
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| Michael Redgrave | ... |
The General
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| Sybil Thorndike | ... |
Lady Fitzhugh
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| Cyril Cusack | ... |
Chris Noonan
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Marianne Benet | ... |
Mary Madigan
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| John Breslin | ... |
Timmy McGrath
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Harry Brogan | ... |
Tom Cassidy
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| Robert Brown | ... |
First Sergeant 'Black & Tans'
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| Lewis Casson | ... |
Judge
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Christopher Casson | ... |
Brigadier
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| John Cairney | ... |
Mike O'Callaghan
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| Harry H. Corbett | ... |
Clancy
(as Harry Corbett)
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Eileen Crowe | ... |
Mrs. Madigan
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| Allan Cuthbertson | ... |
Captain
(as Alan Cuthbertson)
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| Donal Donnelly | ... |
Willie Lafferty
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| Wilfred Downing | ... |
Tommy Connor
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Eithne Dunne | ... |
Eileen O'Leary
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Paul Farrell | ... |
Doyle
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| Richard Harris | ... |
Terence O'Brien
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| William Hartnell | ... |
Sergeant Jenkins
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| John Le Mesurier | ... |
British General
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| Niall MacGinnis | ... |
Michael O'Leary
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| Patrick McAlinney | ... |
Donovan, bartender
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| Ray McAnally | ... |
Paddy Nolan
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| Clive Morton | ... |
Sir Arnold Fielding
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| Noel Purcell | ... |
Liam O'Sullivan
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| Peter Reynolds | ... |
Captain 'Black & Tans'
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| Christopher Rhodes | ... |
Colonel Smithson
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Ronnie Walsh | ... |
Sergeant 'Black & Tans'
(as Ronald Walsh)
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Alan White | ... |
Captain Fleming
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Eamonn Andrews | ... |
Narrator (uncredited)
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| Walter Gotell | ... |
Sergeant 'Black &Tans' (uncredited)
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| T.P. McKenna | ... |
Unknown (uncredited)
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| Norman Rodway | ... |
Sergeant at HQ (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Michael Anderson | ||
Written by
| Rearden Conner | ... | (novel) |
| Marian Spitzer | ... | (adaptation) (as Marian Thompson) |
| Ivan Goff | ... | (writer) and |
| Ben Roberts | ... | (writer) |
Produced by
| Michael Anderson | ... | producer |
| Georges Glass | ... | executive producer |
| Troy Pennebaker | ... | producer (uncredited) |
| Walter Seltzer | ... | executive producer |
Music by
| William Alwyn | ||
Cinematography by
| Erwin Hillier | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Gordon Pilkington | ||
Casting By
| Robert Lennard | ||
Art Direction by
| Thomas N. Morahan | ... | (as Tom Morahan) |
Set Decoration by
| Josie MacAvin | ||
Costume Design by
| Irene Gilbert | ||
Makeup Department
| Tony Sforzini | ... | makeup artist |
| Joan White | ... | hair stylist |
Production Management
| Bill Kirby | ... | production supervisor |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Christopher Sutton | ... | assistant director (as Chris Sutton) |
| David Tringham | ... | second assistant director (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Leonard Bulkley | ... | sound recordist |
| Rusty Coppleman | ... | dubbing editor |
| J.B. Smith | ... | sound recordist |
Special Effects by
| Cliff Richardson | ... | special effects |
| Roy Whybrow | ... | special effects |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Eric Besche | ... | camera operator: second unit |
| Ray Sturgess | ... | camera operator |
| Stuart Hetherington | ... | assistant camera (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| John McCorry | ... | wardrobe supervisor |
Music Department
| Muir Mathieson | ... | conductor |
Script and Continuity Department
| Angela Martelli | ... | continuity |
Additional Crew
| William O'Kelly | ... | technical advisor (as Lieutenant Colonel William O'Kelly) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- United Artists (1959) (United States) (theatrical)
- United Artists (1959) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- United Artists (1959) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Kommunenes Filmcentral (KF) (1959) (Norway) (theatrical)
- United Artists (1959) (France) (theatrical) (as Les Artistes Associés)
- United Artists (1960) (West Germany) (theatrical)
- United Artists de Mexico (1960) (Mexico) (theatrical)
- American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1962) (United States) (tv)
- Kino Lorber (2022) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1993) (United States) (VHS)
- Pidax Film (2018) (Germany) (DVD)
- Shout! Factory (2014) (United States) (DVD)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Ardmore Studios (facilities)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
In 1921 Dublin, the I.R.A. battles the "Black & Tans", special British forces given to harsh measures. Irish-American medical student Kerry O'Shea (Don Murray) hopes to stay aloof, but saving a wounded friend gets him outlawed, and inexorably drawn into the rebel organization under his former professor Dr. Sean Lenihan (James Cagney), who has "shaken hands with the devil" and begun to think of fighting as an end in itself. Complications arise when Kerry falls for a beautiful English hostage, and the British offer a peace treaty that is not enough to satisfy Lenihan.
Written by Rod Crawford |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | A story of love and hate...and the sudden sound of guns! See more » |
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| Parents Guide | Add content advisory for parents » |
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Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | As of early 2019, the Turner Classic Movies print of this movie is unfortunately cropped on the sides to an aspect ratio of 1.33:1, most likely for early television broadcasts, and is not presented in the wider theatrical aspect ratio of 1.66:1 in which it was shot, and that director Michael Anderson and cinematographer Erwin Hillier originally intended. The Kino Lorber Edition Has the correct Aspect ratio released in April 2021. See more » |
| Goofs | After Kitty, on the beach, puts on her skirt and dances over to pick up her top, you can see she's topless as she rises and turns her back to the camera. However, as she's towels off her hair, you can see a strap over her shoulder, and when she turns in surprise she's definitely got a top on. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Ourselves Alone? (1995). See more » |
| Quotes |
Eileen O'Leary:
'Tis a small thing to do for Cathleen O'Shea, whose son once showed Eileen O'Leary a very great kindness. See more » |