The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006) is a historical drama directed by Ken Loach, set during one of the most turbulent and defining periods in Irish history — the Irish War of Independence (1919–1921) and the subsequent Irish Civil War (1922–1923). With a script by Paul Laverty, this film is both a raw portrayal of national struggle and an intimate look at how war divides not just nations, but families.
Detailed Summary
The Calm Before the Storm
The film begins in rural County Cork, Ireland, in 1920. The story follows two brothers — Damien O’Donovan (Cillian Murphy), a newly qualified doctor, and Teddy O’Donovan (Pádraic Delaney), a local Irish Republican Army (IRA) leader. Their small community is living under harsh British occupation. The British Black and Tans (auxiliary soldiers) terrorize the countryside, executing Irish civilians and burning homes.
Damien’s Awakening
Initially, Damien plans to leave for London to work as a doctor. But after witnessing British soldiers brutally murder a local boy for refusing to say his name in English, he decides to stay and join his brother’s IRA brigade. This marks the beginning of his transformation from a peaceful healer into a revolutionary fighter.
Guerrilla Warfare and Brotherhood
The brothers, along with their comrades, engage in guerrilla tactics against British forces. These scenes are both thrilling and horrifying — ambushes, raids, and executions unfold with haunting realism. The sense of camaraderie among the rebels is powerful, but Ken Loach never romanticizes the violence. The cost of each act is felt deeply.
A key moment comes when the IRA captures several British informers. The group faces a moral dilemma: whether to execute them or show mercy. Damien, once reluctant, eventually supports execution — a decision that foreshadows the internal conflicts to come.
The Treaty and the Split
When the Anglo-Irish Treaty is signed in 1921, it grants Ireland limited independence as a Free State but keeps it within the British Empire. Teddy supports the treaty, believing it to be a pragmatic step toward peace and stability. Damien, however, sees it as a betrayal of the Republic’s ideals and the sacrifices made by those who died for full freedom.
The brothers find themselves on opposite sides of a new war — the Irish Civil War. Teddy joins the Free State Army, while Damien fights with the anti-Treaty forces. Their bond, once unbreakable, begins to fracture beyond repair.
Movie Ending
In the devastating final act, Damien is captured by Free State forces — led by none other than his brother, Teddy. Despite their shared blood, Teddy is now bound by his new position and duty to the Free State government.
In prison, the two brothers have an emotional and heartbreaking conversation. Teddy pleads with Damien to sign a declaration of loyalty that would spare his life, but Damien refuses, declaring that the Republic must remain pure and uncorrupted. He insists that compromising the struggle would mean that all the sacrifices were for nothing.
Teddy’s moral torment is palpable as he realizes that his brother’s execution has become inevitable. Damien writes a final letter to his fiancée, Sinead, expressing his unshaken belief in the cause and his love for her. The next morning, he is executed by firing squad — the order given by his own brother.
The film ends with Sinead receiving the letter and breaking down, while Teddy arrives, shattered by grief. The personal and political tragedy becomes one — the revolution devours its own children.
This ending is one of the most emotionally devastating conclusions in modern cinema, encapsulating the idea that revolutions often turn inward, consuming their ideals and their heroes alike.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, there are no post-credits scenes in The Wind That Shakes the Barley. The film ends on a stark, emotional note, and the credits roll in silence — fitting for its somber tone and realistic approach.
Type of Movie
This is a historical war drama, but at its core, it is also a political and moral tragedy. It explores the ethics of rebellion, the costs of freedom, and how ideological purity can collide with practical compromise.
Cast
- Cillian Murphy as Damien O’Donovan
- Pádraic Delaney as Teddy O’Donovan
- Liam Cunningham as Dan
- Orla Fitzgerald as Sinead Ní Shúilleabháin
- Gerard Kearney as Donnacha
- Laurence Barry as Micheail
Film Music and Composer
The film’s haunting score, including the title’s traditional Irish folk song “The Wind That Shakes the Barley”, was composed by George Fenton. The music blends minimalist orchestration with Irish melodies, grounding the story in its cultural roots while heightening its emotional impact.
Filming Locations
Filmed entirely in County Cork, Ireland, the movie’s authenticity comes from its use of real rural locations rather than studio sets. The rolling green hills, stone cottages, and fog-drenched valleys serve not just as backdrops but as silent witnesses to history — symbolizing Ireland’s enduring beauty and pain.
Awards and Nominations
- Palme d’Or (Winner) – Cannes Film Festival (2006)
- Best Film – Irish Film and Television Awards
- Best Director Nomination – European Film Awards
- Best Actor Nomination (Cillian Murphy) – Irish Film and Television Awards
The film’s Cannes victory cemented Ken Loach’s reputation as a master of socially conscious cinema.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Director Ken Loach is known for realism — many scenes were shot in long takes with little rehearsal.
- Loach often withheld the full script from actors to elicit genuine reactions.
- Locals from Cork were cast in supporting roles to enhance authenticity.
- The Irish Army reportedly provided weapons and tactical guidance for historical accuracy.
Inspirations and References
The movie is heavily inspired by real historical events during the Irish War of Independence and Civil War. It takes its name from the 18th-century Irish song of the same title, which laments the cost of rebellion.
Loach and screenwriter Laverty drew upon oral histories and memoirs of Irish fighters and civilians who lived through the period, emphasizing ordinary people caught between loyalty and survival.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
While there are no confirmed alternate endings, Loach reportedly filmed extended scenes of Damien’s imprisonment and the community’s reaction to his death, which were shortened in the final cut for pacing and emotional impact.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The film is not based on a specific book, but rather on a blend of historical documentation and firsthand accounts. Its narrative, however, reflects the structure and tone of classic anti-war novels, such as A Farewell to Arms and For Whom the Bell Tolls.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The brutal opening where the British kill a local boy for speaking Irish.
- Damien’s first execution — a powerful moment showing his moral decline.
- The signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty and the subsequent ideological split.
- The heartbreaking prison conversation between the two brothers.
- Damien’s final letter and execution.
Iconic Quotes
- Damien: “I’ve learned one thing in my life, Teddy. No army is greater than the cause it serves.”
- Teddy: “You’re a dreamer, brother. Dreams don’t build nations.”
- Damien: “Maybe not, but they can destroy the ones built on lies.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The title song, “The Wind That Shakes the Barley,” is subtly heard in the background during key emotional moments, symbolizing Ireland’s tragic history.
- The local pub scene includes real historical posters from the era, carefully recreated from archives.
- Several of the extras in the film were descendants of real IRA volunteers from Cork.
Trivia
- Cillian Murphy reportedly read diaries of IRA volunteers to prepare for his role.
- The movie was controversial in the UK, where some critics accused it of being “anti-British.”
- It was shot chronologically to preserve the actors’ emotional arcs.
- The film’s title was originally considered for a different Ken Loach project before being used here.
Why Watch?
Because The Wind That Shakes the Barley is not just a war movie — it’s a moral and emotional journey through the human cost of political conflict. It’s perfect for viewers who appreciate historical realism, emotional storytelling, and ethical complexity.
Director’s Other Movies
- Kes (1969)
- I, Daniel Blake (2016)
- Sorry We Missed You (2019)
- The Angels’ Share (2012)
- Riff-Raff (1991)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Michael Collins (1996)
- The Boxer (1997)
- In the Name of the Father (1993)
- Bloody Sunday (2002)
- Hunger (2008)
