Cal (1984)

Cal, a young man on the fringes of the IRA, falls in love with Marcella, a Catholic woman whose husband, a Protestant policeman, was killed one year earlier by the IRA.

Director:

Pat O'Connor

Writers:

Bernard MacLaverty (novel), Bernard MacLaverty (screenplay)

Stars:

Helen Mirren, John Lynch, Donal McCann

Nominated for 2 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Helen Mirren	...	Marcella
John Lynch	...	Cal
Donal McCann	...	Shamie
John Kavanagh	...	Skeffington
Ray McAnally	...	Cyril Dunlop
Stevan Rimkus	...	Crilly
Catherine Gibson	...	Mrs. Morton
Louis Rolston	...	Dermot Ryan
Tom Hickey	...	Preacher
Gerard Mannix Flynn	...	Arty
Seamus Forde	...	Mr. Morton
Edward Byrne	...	Skeffington Sr
J.J. Murphy	...	Man in Library
Audrey Johnson	...	Lucy
Brian Munn	...	Robert Morton

Storyline

Cal, a young man on the fringes of the IRA, falls in love with Marcella, a Catholic woman whose husband, a Protestant policeman, was killed one year earlier by the IRA.

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Plot Keywords:

flashback | library | guerrilla warfare | guilt | northern ireland | 

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Taglines:

Out of Ireland's struggle, a passionate love is born.

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller | Romance

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 August 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cal - Memórias de um Terrorista

Filming Locations:

Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland

Company Credits

Production Co:

Enigma Productions, Goldcrest Films International, Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The third film that employed Mark Knopfler as composer. The first one was Local Hero.

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Goofs

When Cal goes to Marcella's bedroom the camera scans the room and there is no hat on a chair but when he walks into the room there is a hat on the chair.

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Quotes

Cal: I would die for you.

User Reviews

This realistic Irish film is a gem of the 80's

I enjoyed this film very much particularly because of its Irish flavor. John Lynch is incredibly real as an IRA member(not of his own doing) who really hasn't the stomach for it. Everything about the film is as it should be. Lynch's long suffering Cal who has helped murder the Protestant husband of the woman he is now infatuated with is wonderfully portrayed. Day to day life of the people is almost like watching a documentary. Cal's guilt-ridden life couldn't be more boring from playing his guitar to borrowing tapes at the library to spying on Marcella all the time aware that the UVC will burn him and his "Da" out.

Love the Irish lingo and wit as well as the Uilleann pipes and traditional Irish soundtrack that make it sing. The sensual relationship between Cal and Marcella is bound to take off but you know it is doomed from the start. Two people searching for meaning in a harsh and lonely world. Helen Mirren gives another great performance as the unsatisfied older woman giving in to love. If you want to see a simple film about real people don't miss this sad, revealing tale.

One of my all time favorites.