Jimmy's Hall (2014)

During the Depression, Jimmy Gralton returns home to Ireland after ten years of exile in America. Seeing the levels of poverty and oppression, the activist in him reawakens and he looks to re-open the dance hall that led to his deportation.

Director:

Ken Loach

Writer:

Paul Laverty (screenplay)

Stars:

Barry Ward, Francis Magee, Aileen Henry

2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Barry Ward	...	Jimmy
Francis Magee	...	Mossie
Aileen Henry	...	Alice
Simone Kirby	...	Oonagh
Stella McGirl	...	Stella
Sorcha Fox	...	Molly
Martin Lucey	...	Dessie
Mikel Murfi	...	Tommy
Shane O'Brien	...	Finn
Denise Gough	...	Tess
Jim Norton	...	Father Sheridan
Aisling Franciosi	...	Marie
Seán T. Ó Meallaigh	...	Journalist
Karl Geary	...	Seán
Brían F. O'Byrne	...	Commander O'Keefe

Storyline

1932. Jimmy Gralton is back home in the Irish countryside after ten years of forced exile in the USA. His widowed mother Alice is happy, Jimmy's friends are happy, all the young people who enjoy dancing and singing are happy. Which is not the case of Father Sheridan, the local priest, nor of the village squire, nor of Dennis O'Keefe, the chief of the fascists. The reason is simple: Jimmy is a socialist activist. So when the "intruder" reopens the village hall, thus enabling the villagers to gather to sing, dance, paint, study or box, they take a dim view of the whole thing. People who think and unite are difficult to manipulate, aren't they? From that moment on they will use every means possible to get rid of Jimmy and his "dangerous" hall.

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Plot Keywords:

ireland | catholic priest | anti communism | 1930s | year 1932 | 

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Taglines:

Where Anything Goes and Everyone Belongs

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language and a scene of violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

The real Jimmy Gralton was the only Irishman ever deported from Ireland after Irish Independence. After the release of the film, a campaign (including an online petition) was started with the aim to rescind the deportation order and extend an official apology to his family.

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Goofs

Tobacco consumption (cigarettes, snuff and pipes) was extremely widespread at the time, yet none of the characters are seen to smoke, even at raucous social occasions.

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Quotes

Oonagh: The IRA are even on the fence. They don't want to upset the church.

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Crazy Credits

During the opening credits, black and white news reel footage of New York in the 1920s, accompanied by jazz music, is shown.

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Connections

Referenced in La noche de...: Jimmy's Hall (2017)

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Soundtracks

I'm Lonesome, Sweetheart
Written By Joe Oliver (as Joseph Oliver), Dave Nelson (as David C. Nelson)
© Peer International Corporation 1929
Performed by King Oliver & His Orchestra
courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment Inc.

User Reviews

An 8, because it's important

There are many movies made about oppression, but not nearly enough. In this story based on facts and one man's intention to give culture, song and dance to his small, impoverished community, it defies belief that this travesty of injustice occurred.

As usual, the Catholic Church, the overlords and the unjust legal system come together to destroy any chance a small community has of the vital birth-right of culture and harmony for those who need it most; an isolated county in Ireland.

As one man steps up, after having been deported once already for the grand crime of opening a hall where people can learn such basic things as song, dance, art, literature and boxing, after his ten first ten year deportation, the local youth who have nothing to look forward to in life, convince him to do so again.

This is a straightforward movie about a circumstance that defies belief, and yet it occurred. Worth the watch for anyone who understands that oppression and fascism is wrong and that normal people deserve joy, community and to fight back when their world makes no sense on account of simply wanting to life a life.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Twitter

Country:

UK Ireland France Belgium Japan

Language:

English Irish

Release Date:

30 May 2014 (UK)

Also Known As:

Džimijeva dvorana

Filming Locations:

Killanummery, Co. Leitrim, Ireland

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$19,881, 5 July 2015

Gross USA:

$560,592

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,825,184

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sixteen Films, Element Pictures, Why Not Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital (Dolby 5.1)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1