The Informant (1997)

A young I.R.A. member is forced to turn informant on his comrades, when he is caught in an assassination attempt on a judge.

Director:

Jim McBride

Writers:

Gerald Seymour (book), Nicholas Meyer (screenplay)

Stars:

Anthony Brophy, Cary Elwes, Timothy Dalton

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anthony Brophy	...	Gingy McAnally
Cary Elwes	...	Lt. David Ferris
Timothy Dalton	...	DCI Rennie
Maria Lennon	...	Roisin McAnally
John Kavanagh	...	IRA Chief
Sean McGinley	...	Frankie Conroy
Frankie McCafferty	...	Dalton
Stuart Graham	...	Det. Astley
Gary Lydon	...	Det. McDonough
Sean Kearns	...	Det. Prentice
B.J. Hogg	...	Constable Goss
Ciarán Fitzgerald	...	Gerard McAnally
Virginia Cole	...	Roisin's Ma
Gary Lammin	...	Cpl. Jones
James Gaddas	...	British I.O.

Storyline

A young I.R.A. member is forced to turn informant on his comrades, when he is caught in an assassination attempt on a judge.

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Plot Keywords:

handcuffed man | man in underwear | protestant | catholic | political crime | 

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Taglines:

Even freedom has its price.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, sexuality and violence, including a rape scene

Did You Know?

Trivia

During filming in Ireland, the working title "Johnny Loves Suzie" was used so as not to attract the attention of any terrorist groups. However, it hardly could obscure the fact that armored vehicles and armed police and soldiers were featured in the film.

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Goofs

In one scene, the Union Flag is upside down.

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Quotes

DCI Rennie: But if he's on the floor?
DCI Rennie: Then we pick him up again!
Det. Astley: And what if he can't stand up?
DCI Rennie: Then we find a different way to prop him up!

User Reviews

Unsettling film

The makers of this film threw plenty into the mix of a deceptively simple story of a reluctant IRA man (Anthony Brophy) forced to turn supergrass when caught redhanded carrying out a rocket attack on a judge. There are enough bits and pieces thrown in here about the 800-year history of the troubles to give a decent idea of the big picture, even to those like myself who aren't all that familiar with Irish history. We see a bit of the historical background, the current English, Loyalist and IRA positions, how hatred is perpetuated through the next generation, how the innocent as always are victimised the most. It's a heady mix in a gritty and disturbing film, and to their credit, the film makers quite rightly decided not to resolve their story, just like the Troubles themselves. One quibble. Despite good performances, it's a bit hard to accept the central characters being as old as they're supposed to be. Ginger (have I spelt that right?) is meant to have have spent a total of 10 years in prison and we assume his wife has spent an equal time doing it tough raising the kids. It's a bit to believe this when they are played by young spunks Brophy and Maria Lennon.

Details

Country:

Ireland USA

Language:

English German

Release Date:

2 January 1998 (Turkey)

Also Known As:

Field of Blood

Filming Locations:

County Dublin, Ireland

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hallmark Entertainment, Johnny Loves Suzie Productions, Showtime Networks

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color