How Harry Became a Tree (2001)

This drama is set in rural Ireland. Believing that "a man is measured by his enemies", Harry Maloney ('Colm Meany' ) sets out to ruin George O'Flaherty - the most powerful man in town, who ... See full summary »

Director:

Goran Paskaljevic

Writers:

Christine Gentet, Goran Paskaljevic,

Stars:

Colm Meaney, Adrian Dunbar, Cillian Murphy

5 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Colm Meaney	...	Harry
Adrian Dunbar	...	George
Cillian Murphy	...	Gus
Kerry Condon	...	Eileen
Pat Laffan	...	Father O'Connor
Gail Fitzpatrick	...	Margaret
Maighread Ni Chonghaile	...	Maeve
Catriona Canavan	...	Irish Wake singer
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mick Fitzgerald	...	Musician
Jenny Ni Chleirigh	...	Girl 2 Playing with Music Box
Natalie Ni Chleirigh	...	Girl 1 Playing with Music Box

Storyline

This drama is set in rural Ireland. Believing that "a man is measured by his enemies", Harry Maloney ('Colm Meany' ) sets out to ruin George O'Flaherty - the most powerful man in town, who not only owns the local pub and most of the businesses in the area, but is also the local matchmaker. When Harry's son Gus(Cillian Murphy) - upon whom Harry regularly heaps abuse (mostly mental and verbal) - falls for the lovely Eileen, George helps get the two together during this time, Harry quietly mobilizes his dastardly plans.

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Plot Keywords:

matchmaker | pub | ireland | record player | shotgun | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality/nudity, language and a scene of violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Italy]

Country:

Italy France UK Ireland

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 March 2002 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Bitter Harvest

Filming Locations:

Ireland

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cattleya, Paradox Pictures, Film and General Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

[lactating her large right breast into a cup]
Margaret: I'm not carrying any more of this milk around than I have to.

User Reviews

A Buried Jewel

As an American, it took me a bit to get used to the language of rural Ireland in the 1920's, but this film draws you into a world that seems not at all foreign after a while. Unlike the relentlessly depressing "The Field", this is a drama of real tragedies - the small, silly tragedies that we create and that are created for us- and also, of real hope. The original Irish title of this film "How Harry Became a Tree" is so much more fitting than the US "Bitter Harvest" (what were they thinking?), though fortunately the brilliant allegory of the tree is not lost with the title change. Performances are universally outstanding and poignant, the photography beautiful, the music haunting. See this film and see how the Irish continue to astonish with their mastery of language and vision.