It is a rare moment indeed when a lie that has been passed as history can be righted. But that is exactly what Black ’47, directed by Lance Daly, has done.
For 171 years a lie persisted, and even though it cannot be fully overcome, at least the healing may begin.
What happened in Ireland from 1845-1852 should never be deemed simply a “famine.” It was no more than a blight on a single crop, the potato. The deep truth, hidden for so long, is that a cold economic program by a colonial power wielded the blight like a weapon against the Irish. To move them off the land. At the heart of this story is the horrific malevolence of the English foreigner and their true intentions to murder and displace millions of innocents.
The enmity, trauma and dismay of the Irish people who suffered the consequence, as well as having to suffer the lies, are represented by the anger in James Frecheville’s seething character “Feeney.” And most importantly, that anger is righteous. Feeney is shown to have destiny on his side when he is utterly fearless as guns are pointed at him. When they misfire, destiny allows him to continue his revenge killings.
Clint Eastwood was never this angry, and never this justified.
Please, please watch this movie. It is now available in Ireland & UK on Netflix.
A true ‘must see’ film.
Eamon
Im dying to see this movie: i want to, very much. But , as soon as i saw it will be shown on Netflix, my heart was crushed. Ive cancelled my subscription to Netfix. A shame really, as ive enjoyed a lot of good shows on Netflix. But, until they change their thinking on some matters very close to me, im afraid i can not give them my money. Id be thrilled to kmow of any other venue. Please advise