★ 7 / 10
"You live in that grey area."
aethomson
In 1973-74 Thames Television produced a 26-part series, "The World at War" (WW2). It should be compulsory viewing for anyone who wants to be in government.…
In 1973-74 Thames Television produced a 26-part series, "The World at War" (WW2). It should be compulsory viewing for anyone who wants to be in government. Also for media influencers: editors, bloggers, writers, know-alls, angry shouters and hate-speechifiers. Because what we call "civil society" should be the complete opposite of what modern warfare really is: the organized destruction of civilization and civilized values.The movie "Danny Boy" introduces us to a fundamental contradiction: how to assess battlefield behaviors using the cultural machinery of the lawyer's office and the wood-paneled courtroom. "It's normal for farmers there to carry guns. Does that make them soldiers?" The answer, I'm afraid, is yes. (Keep this in mind, all you NRA fanatics.)A democracy tries to train its military personnel to be peace-defenders, but occasionally it sends them on anti-peace operations. A few days as a soldier in Iraq (the Bush and Blair Splendid Military Adventure) and I'd be ready to shoot anyone who wasn't wearing our uniform. But I'm prepared to believe that you, gentle reader, would be capable of more restraint.Toby Jones dominates every scene he's in. The idealistic lawyer's office looks authentic, but the film's battle environment lacks the terror, the paranoia, and that hallucinatory menace and mania which left so many vets suffering from PTSD.You want to take sides as you watch this movie? If you do, you're burning up your brain with futile emotion. "Danny Boy" just tells us how things were, how they are, and how they will be next time.
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★ 7 / 10
A pretty good watch.
Sleepin_Dragon
An interesting, emotive topic, and one which will have conversations going on both sides. A pretty good watch, for such a dramatic situation, this was quite a…
An interesting, emotive topic, and one which will have conversations going on both sides.
A pretty good watch, for such a dramatic situation, this was quite a low key affair, I appreciate subtle, but it just needed a little more passion injected into it.
I enjoyed the way the story was told, you quite literally see Bryan Wood's journey from national, decorated hero, to possible war criminal, and the role of Phil Shiner, was he after the truth, or was he out to vilify brave soldiers such as Wood? Make your own minds up.
Very well made, the action sequences looked terrific, best of all though was the acting, three top notch performances, Toby Jones, Anthony Boyle and Alex Ferns.
An interesting choice for the BBC it's fair to say, but it's well made and absorbing, I must also say how refreshing to have a one off, ninety minute drama, as opposed to yet another six part series.
Subtle, but good, 7/10.
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The inquiry was a shambles that wasted an absolute fortune and the solicitor 'hero' of the story was a liar. Unfortunately the BBC's left wing bias ignores all of this. Avoid.