Ireland 1920: workers from field and country unite to form volunteer guerrilla armies to face the ruthless "Black and Tan" squads that are being shipped from Britain to block Ireland's bid for independence. Driven by a deep sense of duty and a love for his country, Damien abandons his burgeoning career as a doctor and joins his brother, Teddy, in a dangerous and violent fight for freedom.

As the freedom fighters’ bold tactics bring the British to breaking point, both sides finally agree to a treaty to end the bloodshed. But, despite the apparent victory, civil war erupts and families, who fought side by side, find themselves pitted against one another as sworn enemies, putting their loyalties to the ultimate test.

Directed by
Ken Loach

Cast
Cillian Murphy - Damien O'Donovan
Liam Cunningham - Dan
Padraic Delaney - Teddy O'Donovan
Gerard Kearney - Donacha
Orla Fitzgerald - Sinead
Mary Riordan - Peggy
Mary Murphy - Bernadette
Laurence Barry - Micheail
Damien Kearney - Finbar
Frank Bourke - Leo

Production Co.
Sixteen Films
EMC Asset Management
Element Films Ltd.
BiancaFilm (Italy)
Tornasol Films
Regent Capital
U.K. Film Council
Irish Film Board
Matador Pictures
Filmstiftung Nordrhein-Westfalen
BIM Distribuzione
Cineart
TV3 Ireland
Pathe Distribution
Film Coopi
Diaphana Films

Studio
First Take (IFC)

Writer
Paul Laverty

Music
George Fenton