Black '47 (2018)

The famine in Ireland in the late 1840’s is not a subject that has often been put to film. The British Whig government’s economic policy of laissez-faire capitalism exacerbated the situation drastically, forcing already starving people to leave their homes-their only source of warmth in an already stone cold land. Black ’47 represents the worst of the famine; a dreadful year in 1847, and this is where the film is set. Martin is a former Connacht Ranger who served in Afghanistan and India for the British army, but deserts them to return to Connemara to be with his family as the famine deteriorates. He discovers his Mother has died from starvation (refusing to take food from British offerings) and his brother is hung after stabbing a bailiff during his families’ eviction. Martin stays with his brother’s wife and her three children, and they plan to emigrate to America. Before they leave, agents of the local Anglo-Irish landlord and members of the Royal Irish Constabulary arrive to remove them from his brothers cottage; Martin is arrested and his nephew his killed. After breaking out of the jail they take him to, Martin returns to find the remainder of his family dead from starvation and decides to seek revenge. None of this is plot spoiling, it all happens in the opening few scenes, and Black ’47 is a revenge thriller, but it will also provide education for a subject that is widely ignored in this country. It’s hard hitting, and reminded me of Ken Loach’s masterful The Wind That Shakes The Barley (2006) set during the Irish Civil War, a war that was a direct result of The Irish War of Independence, when Irish factions tried to retake a hold of their country that Britain had taken control of. These films are admittedly set in completely different time frames but that perhaps flags up the lack of mainstream films dedicated to the subject. Hugo Weaving is terrific as a British Army veteran, who now works for the RIC and is tasked with tracking down Martin, a soldier we learn that he served with in Afghanistan. Although maybe not as poignant as something like The Wind That Shakes The Barley, Black ’47 nonetheless highlights a horrifying point in Irish history, and at only ninety odd minutes arguably could have plenty more to say. However, this is a low budget, very effective, and educational thriller that deserves to be seen. 7.6/10