Black ’47 Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

An Irish soldier comes home from war, sees everyone is starving because of potatoes, and decides the best solution is to shoot everyone, even though that doesn’t magically make more potatoes.

🍿 Black ’47: Detailed Plot Synopsis

An Irish Ranger Returns

Set during the Great Famine in Ireland, Martin Feeney, an Irish Ranger fighting for the British Army in Afghanistan, deserts his post. He returns home seeking to reunite with his family, unaware of the devastation that has befallen his homeland. The stark contrast between the war he experienced and the famine’s brutality sets the stage for his harrowing journey.

Devastation and Loss

Feeney discovers his family has been ravaged by the famine. His mother died of fever, his brother was hanged, and his remaining family faces eviction and starvation. Witnessing the brutal treatment of his people, he experiences a profound disillusionment. The systematic destruction of his community fuels his resolve for revenge against those responsible.

A Quest for Vengeance

Driven by grief and rage, Feeney embarks on a path of vengeance. He targets landlords, bailiffs, and officials complicit in the suffering of his people. His actions attract the attention of the British Army, who task Inspector Hannah, a former comrade of Feeney, with tracking him down. Hannah, haunted by his own past, reluctantly accepts the mission.

Pursuit Through a Bleak Landscape

Hannah, accompanied by Captain Pope and a young soldier named Hobson, pursues Feeney across the desolate Irish landscape. They encounter the brutal reality of the famine and the consequences of Feeney’s actions. As they close in on Feeney, moral conflicts emerge, and alliances shift, challenging their understanding of justice and loyalty.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Feeney (James Frecheville): An Irish Ranger who deserts the British Army to find his family devastated by the Great Famine, leading him on a path of revenge.
• Hannah (Hugo Weaving): A disillusioned British police inspector tasked with tracking down Feeney, grappling with his own moral conflicts.
• Conneely (Stephen Rea): A complex local guide and translator who accompanies Hannah, offering insights into the Irish landscape and its people.
• Pope (Freddie Fox): An arrogant and by-the-book British Army captain who represents the oppressive colonial force.
• Hobson (Barry Keoghan): A young British soldier who becomes conflicted by the atrocities he witnesses during the Famine.
• Lord Kilmichael (Jim Broadbent): A wealthy English landowner who embodies the indifference and exploitation of the ruling class during the famine.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Lord Kilmichael: “The peasants are all the same. No appreciation of beauty.” – Said dismissively, reflecting the callous attitude of the British aristocracy towards the suffering Irish population.
• Conneely: “Beauty would be held in much higher regard, Sir, if it could be eaten.” – A sharp retort to Lord Kilmichael highlighting the desperate situation of the starving people and their lack of concern for aesthetic values.
• Feeney: “(In Irish) I will not speak your language.” – Feeney expresses his resistance against the anglicization and cultural oppression enforced by the British.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $11M
• Domestic Gross: $57,520
• Worldwide Gross: $2,073,063

💥 Black ’47 Reviews

Personal Review

As an Irish person, this movie hit hard. Seeing the famine depicted with such raw emotion and honesty was incredibly moving. I was particularly struck by James Frecheville’s performance; the quiet intensity he brought to the role was captivating. The scene where he discovers his family’s fate left me speechless. This film isn’t just a history lesson; it’s a visceral experience that stays with you long after the credits roll. The use of Irish language throughout the movie added a layer of authenticity that deeply resonated with me.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of historical dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in Irish history”
  • “Those who appreciate revenge thrillers with a strong moral core”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Disturbing depictions of famine and suffering”
  • “Mature themes related to historical injustice”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A stark and unflinching portrayal of Ireland’s darkest hour, Black ’47 blends historical drama with the pacing of a Western, delivering a compelling narrative of revenge and survival. Hugo Weaving provides a compelling performance.
• The Guardian: “Black ’47’s grim setting and brutal action sequences effectively convey the desperation of the time. While some historical liberties are taken, the film succeeds in bringing a relatively unexplored chapter of Irish history to the screen.

Audience Reactions

The raw and unflinching portrayal of the Great Famine left a lasting impact on viewers.: Many appreciated the film’s historical accuracy and emotional depth, praising the performances of the cast and the authentic representation of Irish culture.

Overall Consensus: Black ’47’ is a powerful and moving historical drama that effectively portrays the Great Famine in Ireland. While some critics find it too simplistic, many viewers appreciate its emotional impact and strong performances.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The term ‘Black ’47’ refers to the summer of 1847, when the Irish famine was at its height and hundreds of thousands of people died from starvation.”
• “James Frecheville, who plays the lead role of Feeney, is Australian and learned to speak Irish for the part.”
• “Filming took place in the rugged Connemara region of County Galway, Ireland, to authentically capture the desolate landscape of the famine era.”

🖥️ How to Watch Black ’47?

As of October 2024, ‘Black ’47’ is available for streaming on various platforms. Check your local listings on Prime Video, Apple TV, and other digital rental/purchase services. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray can also be found through online retailers like Amazon and at local stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Black ’47, you might like these similar films:

• Michael Collins (1996): Both films depict key events in Irish history and the struggle for independence against British rule.
• The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006): Focuses on the Irish War of Independence and the complex moral dilemmas faced by the characters, similar to ‘Black ’47’s’ themes of resistance and survival.
• The Revenant (2015): Features a lone protagonist seeking revenge in a harsh, unforgiving landscape, sharing similarities with Feeney’s journey.
• Seraphim Falls (2006): A post-Civil War Western with similar themes of vengeance and a relentless pursuit across a desolate landscape.

🛒 Black ’47 Related Products

• The Graves of the Green Grass: A Black ’47 Novel: A powerful historical novel that dives deeper into the themes and characters of Black ’47, exploring the social and political landscape of famine-era Ireland.
• Irish History Unlocked: Explore the history of Ireland with lessons and quizzes, from 1798 to The Troubles.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Braveheart – William Wallace: Celebrate another historical drama of independence with Braveheart.
• The Hunger and the Howling: Famine Horror Games Collection: A collection of horror games set during times of great scarcity and famine. Survive as long as you can as the world slowly falls apart.

🎧 Soundtrack

Black ’47 features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Little Jimmy Murphy” – performed by Traditional (Performed by Hugo Weaving)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Black 47 | Press Conference Highlights | Berlinale 2018

Ever wondered what the cast and director were thinking during the making of ‘Black 47’? This press conference at Berlinale gives you a peek behind the curtain, and it’s super interesting to hear their thoughts on such a powerful story!

The Irish Famine: Clips from Black 47(2018, dir Lance Daly)

Want to understand the real history behind ‘Black 47’? This video uses clips from the movie to explain the Irish Famine, which is incredibly powerful and really brings the film into perspective.

Hugo Weaving & James Frecheville Interview for Black 47 at the Berlinale 1

Curious about what Hugo Weaving and James Frecheville thought about their roles in ‘Black 47’? Check out this interview where they discuss connecting with their characters and the film’s powerful message. It’s a great listen!

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