doebag

Hello all, just found this site while searching for other stuff, think I may have a lost weekend here soon just reading through the various threads.
My first question is;

Can anybody identify a film I saw probably mid 1970's where the story is based around the Northern Ireland troubles and the IRA.

In the opening scenes, a group of Army trucks pull up and as the soldiers are getting out, one stumbles and accidently lets off a few rounds from his machine gun, killing some by-standers or by stander.

I originally thought the film had Anthony Hopkins in it, bit think I am mistaken. I also think I saw it few years later under a different title, but the memory is a bit dimmed about it.

Please help!

Fellwanderer

Funny your first post should be this as I mentioned a film with almost the reverse incident only this morning - the death happens right at the end of A War of Children.

How about A Quiet Day in Belfast [1974]?

All the best
FELL

A signature is no substitute for a life

Carmel

There are so many films on the Irish troubles another that was great was a play for today called "To late to talk to Billy" all about a young protestant boy growing up around Belfast it involves his Older sister and 2 younger sisters and his Father played by Dominic Ellis and Kenneth Branagh was the lad growing up i remember watching it when we came over here on holiday in the late 70's,thats when the troubles were bad but we always came here twice a year to visit my Nan little did i know id end up living here and thank god its no longer like that.

Live each day to the full because one day it will be your last.

batman

This is the 'Billy Trilogy' Carmel is referring to .... terrific drama

A Coming to Terms for Billy (1984)
A Matter of Choice for Billy (1983)
Too Late to Talk to Billy (1982)

"Do you know why fattries are called fattries .... it's because they are big and people make things in them."

CaptainWaggett

There were three plays in the 'Billy' sequence with James Ellis as Branaghs' father - Too Late to Talk to Billy, A Matter of Choice for Billy and A Coming to Terms for Billy between 1982-84. They were unusual in that usually the troubles are seen from the Catholic point of view. I saw them a few years ago during a Branagh season at the NFT and thought they stood up pretty well.

Carmel

Thanks for that i didn't realise that it was the 80's i always thought it was the 70's, so there you go. Does anyone know are these available to buy on Dvd.

Live each day to the full because one day it will be your last.

blacknorth

Possibly Hennessy with Rod Steiger?

Hennessy (1975)

Starts in a similar fashion.

doebag

Blacknorth, you are the man!
As soon as I read the word 'HENNESSY' I knew you were right. I completely forgot about the Royal Family plot.
I love this site.