Knuckle (2011)

An epic 12-year journey into the brutal and secretive world of Irish Traveler bare-knuckle fighting. This film follows a history of violent feuding between rival clans.

Director:

Ian Palmer

Stars:

James Quinn McDonagh, Michael Quinn McDonagh, Paddy Quinn McDonagh

1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
James Quinn McDonagh
Michael Quinn McDonagh
Paddy Quinn McDonagh
Ian Palmer	...	Narrator

Storyline

An epic 12-year journey into the brutal and secretive world of Irish Traveler bare-knuckle fighting. This film follows a history of violent feuding between rival clans.

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Taglines:

Twelve years. Three clans. One war.

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Genres:

Documentary | Biography | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violent content and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK Ireland

Language:

English

Release Date:

2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

King of the Travellers

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$2,647 (USA) (9 December 2011)

Gross:

$2,647 (USA) (9 December 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bord Scannan na hEireann / Irish Film Board, BBC Storyville, Irish Film Board

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Knuckle (2011)

Like many great documentaries, Knuckle was born out of something else. It originally began as a wedding video. Ian Palmer found something so interesting about his guests, he ventured further and discovered the world of Irish travelling bare knuckle boxing. Most specifically he follows the feud between two clans of the same family, The McDonaghs and the Joyces. So after that wedding video, Palmer ended up documenting this feud and these fights for 12 years. This extraordinary amount of time puts the whole thing into perspective about the needlessness and absurdity of violence. Many say the feud goes back 50 years, and yet nobody gives a straight answer as to its origins. People hold grudges and plan rematches 9 years down the line. It becomes obvious that fighting has become an addiction and a way of life for these poor men. They have nothing else to do. When we see the acclaim they receive from their families, it's easy to see why they have been so taken in by aggression. In the first fight James McDonagh says it will be his last, but it's far from it. He seems genuine about his wanting to quit, but he always ends up in another fight. Even the director talks about how he continued filming just for the thrill, and had lost sight of his documentary. Every fight is brutal in that realistic sense, and Palmer clearly paints a vivid picture of this strange world. Aggressive men, but loving husbands and fathers. Fights that are fought for lack of reason, but are controlled and fair with a sense of honour. Knuckle is the kind of film that lures you in with basic blood lust, but gives you a whole lot more.