This Is the Sea (1997)

The film is set in Northern Ireland shortly after 1994 cease-fire. Hazel is a Protestant and Malachy a Catholic. Romance between them is threatened by Rohan (leader in militant underground ... See full summary »

Director:

Mary McGuckian

Writer:

Mary McGuckian

Stars:

Samantha Morton, Ross McDade, Richard Harris

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Samantha Morton	...	Hazel Stokes
Ross McDade	...	Malachy McAliskey
Richard Harris	...	Old Man Jacobs
Gabriel Byrne	...	Rohan
John Lynch	...	Padhar McAliskey
Dearbhla Molloy	...	Ma Stokes
Ian McElhinney	...	Da Stokes
Marc O'Shea	...	Jef Stokes
Stella McCusker	...	Ma McAliskey
Mary McGuckian	...	Cathy
Des McAleer	...	Inspector Wilson
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Sean Barnett	...	(voice)
Daniel Matthew Bolton	...	Baby
Liam Bradley	...	Bass player in bar
Caolan Byrne	...	Ezeldel Lamthorn

Storyline

The film is set in Northern Ireland shortly after 1994 cease-fire. Hazel is a Protestant and Malachy a Catholic. Romance between them is threatened by Rohan (leader in militant underground and pal of Malachy's brother Padhar), who wants Malachy to be recruited and fight for the cause and by Hazel's brother Jef, who spies on her meetings.

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Plot Keywords:

ireland | independent film

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Country:

Ireland

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 February 1998 (UK)

Also Known As:

Fra odio e amore

Company Credits

Production Co:

First Look International, Overseas FilmGroup, Pembridge Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"A MAN IS IN LOVE"
Written by Mike Scott
Performed by The Waterboys

User Reviews

Romeo and Juliet-type lovers try to survive amid the clash of ideologies.

In "This is the Sea", set in Northern Ireland, a land where the roots of enmity run deep, the young Protestant girl Hazel finds herself falling in love with the Catholic boy Malachy. Both have avoided participating in the hatred and violence that often that surrounds them, but neither can avoid being affected by them, often tragically.

The film succeeds on several levels. It is often beautifully photographed, especially the seaside scenes, and the music is wonderful. The title comes from an album by the Waterboys, a legendary Irish folk-rock band, and the band's music is used to great effect throughout the film. The time and place are well-portrayed, the burgeoning romance between the unlikely lovers grows slowly enough and with enough false starts to be realistic and not idealistic, the personal conflicts are understandable, and the ideological clashes that drive the film do not steer it wrong. Key to the film's success, however, is the fine acting all around, with solid performances by old favorites like Richard Harris and Gabriel Byrne, and a noteworthy performance by the delightful Samantha Morton.