My review of Kenneth Branagh's Belfast.
I am sure many will eulogise about the evocation of 1969 and the "Troubles", whilst I was around at that time I was only 4 years old at that time, now I sit at my keyboard in my 58th years realising that I know precious little about the period as in the UK at the time, I recall going to the park just like billy, and playing on the swings, and feeding the ducks. So, it brought back many happy childhood memories most of which I had forgotten about. But in all my travels I was never tempted to travel to Belfast, or to discover first-hand what it was all about. There were only a few shots of Belfast proper panning long sweeping shots of the Harland & Wolf Shipyards where Titanic's keel was laid and the place from where she sailed to Liverpool on her maiden voyage.
Set in Belfast in 1969, the film focuses on a small family, all of whom look up to their patriarchal Pop, and his wife played by Dame Judy Dench, and a stellar cast most film would be envious of. The plot then revolves around the youngest members of the family and how bemused they are when trouble flairs in their street of mixed protestants and Catholics who seems to have lived in blissful ignorance of each other's religious belief system, in equal measure, the school, like mine was ecumenical covering all creeds and faiths. There are clearly antagonists on both sides but given the chance to leave Belfast to anywhere, but Belfast is a hard decision made slightly easier when the troubles come back to their little street.
I was not sure if I wanted to see it, but as it was directed and written as a semi-autobiographical tale of Sir Kenneth Branagh, himself born in Belfast around the same time, I wanted to know more. It's a long watch but the chap who plays the main character (maybe based loosely on Branagh's own childhood), was the star of the show, and seems to be a natural. An archetypal terraced house with a back yard and an alley out the back of that full of old dust bins. The sets were perfectly dressed, and the lighting was very gritty as were the exterior shots.
Its currently showing on Netflix and so rather than venturing out into the gloomy winter weather with my bad leg, I streamed it. Take a chance on it and I don't think you will be disappointed.
I am sure many will eulogise about the evocation of 1969 and the "Troubles", whilst I was around at that time I was only 4 years old at that time, now I sit at my keyboard in my 58th years realising that I know precious little about the period as in the UK at the time, I recall going to the park just like billy, and playing on the swings, and feeding the ducks. So, it brought back many happy childhood memories most of which I had forgotten about. But in all my travels I was never tempted to travel to Belfast, or to discover first-hand what it was all about. There were only a few shots of Belfast proper panning long sweeping shots of the Harland & Wolf Shipyards where Titanic's keel was laid and the place from where she sailed to Liverpool on her maiden voyage.
Set in Belfast in 1969, the film focuses on a small family, all of whom look up to their patriarchal Pop, and his wife played by Dame Judy Dench, and a stellar cast most film would be envious of. The plot then revolves around the youngest members of the family and how bemused they are when trouble flairs in their street of mixed protestants and Catholics who seems to have lived in blissful ignorance of each other's religious belief system, in equal measure, the school, like mine was ecumenical covering all creeds and faiths. There are clearly antagonists on both sides but given the chance to leave Belfast to anywhere, but Belfast is a hard decision made slightly easier when the troubles come back to their little street.
I was not sure if I wanted to see it, but as it was directed and written as a semi-autobiographical tale of Sir Kenneth Branagh, himself born in Belfast around the same time, I wanted to know more. It's a long watch but the chap who plays the main character (maybe based loosely on Branagh's own childhood), was the star of the show, and seems to be a natural. An archetypal terraced house with a back yard and an alley out the back of that full of old dust bins. The sets were perfectly dressed, and the lighting was very gritty as were the exterior shots.
Its currently showing on Netflix and so rather than venturing out into the gloomy winter weather with my bad leg, I streamed it. Take a chance on it and I don't think you will be disappointed.
Tell Your Friends