In its willingness to grapple with the ugly nuances of revolution, The Wind That Shakes The Barley proves itself an intelligent and undeniably powerful film.

| Aug 18, 2023

Murphy's agonized body language conveys the horrible, irreparable damage of war.

| May 26, 2020

The director has an excellent cast, having Cillian Murphy shining with his own light. [Full Review in Spanish]

| Feb 15, 2020

I think The Wind That Shakes the Barley is great. [Full Review in Spanish]

| Feb 15, 2020

The often peaceful but ever present nature reminds of not only what these men are fighting for, but serve as a sharp contrast to the senseless violence.

| Original Score: 4/4 | Jul 6, 2019

| Original Score: 5/5 | Nov 17, 2011

The film's stark outrage exposes the pussyfooting that these days passes for 'political'

| Aug 27, 2009

Pickings must have been pretty slim at Cannes last year because Barley isn't much of a standout piece.

| Original Score: 5/10 | Aug 28, 2008

| Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 7, 2008

Loach delivers a moving and often beautiful story that captures the essence of the conflict, with all its unintended consequences and personal tragedies.

| Original Score: 4/4 | Jul 19, 2008

Loach is on fire here. A masterfully executed mix of politics and passion, this is an example of that increasingly rare beast in modern cinema: a serious, thought-provoking film for grown-ups.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 11, 2008

Gripping old-fashioned political drama.

| Original Score: A- | Feb 9, 2008

A brutal film...deeply moving yet painful to watch.

| Original Score: 9/10 | Sep 27, 2007

Ultimately, the politics outweigh the poetry ... but it succeeds despite its hesitations and far-reaching ambition

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Sep 4, 2007

Gripping, powerful, heart-breaking.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Aug 4, 2007

Laverty's screenplay is not a simple-minded exercise, although there is a schematic aspect to it. He and Loach want to be fair to both sides of the Irish debate ...

| Original Score: A- | Jul 14, 2007

The performances are shattering, made all the more harrowing by the situations the characters find themselves in.

| Original Score: A | Jun 21, 2007

A film that shows the slow push for freedom as the sticky, messy and lengthy process it really is.

| Original Score: 4/4 | Jun 13, 2007

the intensity of Murphy and Delaney's performances is shattering... 'Wind' never loses sight of the fact that sometimes a victim's wounds may be invisible to the eye, but every bit as painful as a stabbing...

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 8, 2007

There are moments that stir, and it's always lovely, but it's generally too remote to gain hold of you truly.

Full Review | Original Score: B | May 25, 2007