Review of Black '47 (2018) by Rebecca31 — 28 Sep 2018

Considering the horrific events that took place during the Irish Famine it really is a wonder why we’re only getting a film about it now. Sure it’s a genre film, very much rooted in revenge with a real Western feeling to it but maybe the success of Black 47 will spark a series of Irish famine movies because Black 47 is just one take on it and it’s gripping cinema at it’s best.

Directed by Lance Daly, Black 47 tells the story of an Irish ranger (James Frecheville) who has been fighting for the British Army and returns to Ireland to find his family. He is shocked at the famines destruction of the country, starving families evicted from their homes with only the rags on their back. One of the bleakest films I’ve seen in years with a beautifully haunting soundtrack by Brian Byrne. It’s almost strange to say I enjoyed this film but who doesn’t love a good revenge story and from the moment it started I was fully absorbed in this film. Hugo Weaving, Barry Keoghan and Stephen Rea are terrific. Frecheville particularly is the standout performance, doing one of the best Irish accents I’ve heard in a film. I’ve heard so many actors get the accent so horribly wrong it’s refreshing to hear someone get it right. Admittedly some critics can be overly nice to Irish films but with Black 47 believe the hype. Highly recommended, make sure to take the time to check this one out.