Insight "Bloody Sunday" is a terrible yet beautiful film full of fascinating images, a marvellous recreation of January 30th 1972 and the events which led to the rise of the IRA in Northern Ireland on that fatefull Sunday. It is also a memorial to the 13 civillians who died at the hands of the British 'invaders' who ruthlessly showed little restraint or reason in their retalliation against those who had peacefully particpated in this march for civil rights led by MP Ivan Cooper. This dark, dreadful day is recreated with great faithfulness, truly capturing the feel of the seventies. The clothes, the scenery, the crowd, the tension are clearly evident as is the bravado of those youth who had a clear hatred already for the injustices the British had perpetrated upon them and their countrymen. It is hard not to be drawn in by "Bloody Sunday". There is a certainty that disaster will arise and that foreboding is what drives "Bloody Sunday" along to its dreaded climax. The major focus of "Bloody Sunday" is set on those who had the greatest influence on the confrontation which led to the slaughter. On the British side is Brigadier Patrick MacLellan. With all public protests now declared illegal he is under pressure to put up a good show, to quell any sparks of resistence before they fuel a fire. On the Irish side is civil rights activist and MP Ivan Cooper, a man who believes that the march must be achieve with peacefull intent so that the best result can be realized. Then there is Gerry Donaghy a young catholic man who has already been inside. He doesn't want to be drawn into the conflict for fear that he will lose the opportunity to marry his protestant girlfriend. He will unwittingly become a pawn in a murderous game fuelled by the bravado, recklessness and naïvety of his companions who cannot contain their hatred for the British soldiers and the authority they represent. Amongst the British soldiers there is a smug security that they are capable of 'handling' any situation that arises. Some are due to return home to England and the feeling is that they should teach the Irish a good lesson before they depart Northern Ireland. The scenes of confrontation are realistic and the resolve of the British is clearly one of cruel intent. There are many haunting images within "Bloody Sunday" and they serve to add further to the feeling that we are actually there. Most outstanding are the scenes of the march wending its way through Derry, set against a dark and dismal sky. Then there are the close-ups of stone throwing youths confronting the well equipped soldiers manning the barricades. The witnessing of the carnage and its end result are compelling viewing. Finally there is the grieving, the consoling, the accussing, the denial and the dire warnings of what is to come. Words cannot convey the depth and conviction of "Bloody Sunday" but seeing this inventive film will allow you to form your own conclussions. It is a history lesson not to be denied, not to be turned away from. "Bloody Sunday" was a co-winner of the 'Golden Bear Award' at the 2002 Berlin Film Festival. The Story It's Sunday January 30th 1975, a day that will become infamous in the history of Ireland. It is the day British soldiers will slaughter thirteen unarmed, innocent civilians taking part in a peaceful march for civil rights. It is the day that will see young men and women bloodied by the action of soldiers out to teach them a final lesson, a good lesson. It is the day that will fuel the struggle of those in Northern Ireland. At days end it will lead to a new a new and bloody era. An era fuelled by the IRA that will reek havoc on not only the British forces but all those inhabitants of Northern Ireland, Catholic or Protestant. An era that will last for a quarter of a century. An era born from a day designed for peace but destined for disaster. A day that became known as "Bloody Sunday". The Verdict "An intensely rich and rewarding experience. "Bloody Sunday" is a unique film that feeds on human intertest, drama and self destruction. It is a damming indicement of mans inhumanity to man. An insightful revelation into one terrible day that led to over a quarter of a century of bloodshed, violence and religious struggle in Northern Ireland. "Bloody Sunday" truly is 'in your face' cinema which will incite your rage, feed your compassion and break your heart. Magnificent!" What The Critics Say

"James Nesbitt, as Parliament member Ivan Cooper, one of the head organizers of the march, gives an imposing, vulnerable, even sensitive performance as a man forced to witness his attempts to make a difference turn into a scene of horror ..." Chuck Rudolph MATINEE MAGAZINE "Writer/director/cinematographer Paul Greengrass confines his film to the day itself. Whatever background is needed is given as we go; the consequences of what happened that day are left for other historians to tell. Greengrass employs a striking documentary style, which, combined with dead-accurate hairstyles and clothes, makes it so you'd never know the film wasn't 30 years old, shot the day of the march. Eric Snyder DAILY HERALD "A tension-filled and heart-breaking drama about a dark day in Irish history-the massacre of 13 unarmed citizens of Derry by British soldiers out to teach them a harsh lesson about law and order." Frederic & Mary Ann Brussat SPIRITUALITY AND HEALTH "A gripping experience, and often downright sickening." Tim Merrill FILM THREAT "Co-winner of the 2002 Berlin Film Festival's Golden Bear, "Bloody Sunday" is an exceptionally accomplished historical recreation, a meticulous documentary-style rendering of the tragic January, 1972 clash between British soldiers and Irish civil rights marchers in the city of Derry, Northern Ireland." "An exceptionally accomplished historical recreation." Wade Major BOXOFFICE MAGAZINE "Greengrass' dramatic re-enactment, galvanised by documentary techniques, is so dense and alive with detail that it should be viewed attentively." Richard Kelly SIGHT AND SOUND "Intelligently crafted and often insightful." Duane Byrge HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

The Cast

	James Nesbitt Tim Pigott-Smith Nicholas Farrell Gerard McSorley Kathy Keira Clarke Allan Gildea Gerard Crossan Mary Moulds Carmel McCallion Christopher Villiers James Hewitt Declan Duddy Edel Frazer Joanne Lindsay Mike Edwards Gerry Hammond Jason Stammers Ken Williams Bryan Watts Simon Mann Rhidian Bridge	... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...		Ivan Cooper Major General Ford Brigadier Maclellan Chief Supt Lagan Frances Kevin McCorry Eamonn McCann Bernadette Devlin Bridget Bond Major Steele Colonel Tugwell Gerry Donaghy Gerry's girl Mary Donaghy Soldier 027 Para F Para G Para H Para E Colonel Wilford Major Loden

Directed by Paul Greengrass Screenplay by Paul Greengrass Original Music by Dominic Muldoon Cinematography by Ivan Strasburg Film Editing by Clare Douglas Book by Don Mullan Run Time 110 minutes Rated MA15+ [AUST] Copyright ©2002 - Paramount Classic Pictures - All Rights Reserved Copyright©2002 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved