I liked this movie, but I have to admit that much of the themes went over my head. Specifically, I didn't understand what happened to Tadgh's older brother, Shamey (short for Seamus?). Did he commit suicide or something? If so, why? Thanks.
shareYes he hung himself. Thats why he was buried outside the graveyard. What themes do you not understand. I will explain.
shareDo you know why Shamey hung himself?
Also, did Bull's familiy owned the field at one time? Did they lose it? Or why he believed the field belonged to him?
Thanks
It doesn't say why Shamey hung himself but obviously it was the Bull putting pressure on him to work the land as he done with Tadgh.
The Bulls family never owned the field, they rented it. It was "bare rocks" when his father started to rent the field. The Bull turned it into the lovely field with his own "bare hands" ie. "digging the rocks" out of it and fertilizing it with seaweed which is why he was so mad that he was going to end up losing the beautiful field he had created.
In rural Ireland land is sacred and is passed from son to son and you can never have enough of it. Your wealth was judged by how much land you owned. This film was made on the play by a well known playwright John B.Keane. John B.Keane got the idea from 2 farmers who had a disareement over land boundaries and one murdered the other back in the 1930's. The murderer was never caught. There was no proof. But he was found dead years later close to the murder spot.
Basically the film is like a Shakespeare tragedy done the Irish way!
I would be happy to explain more if you do not understand anything else :)
No more explanations needed, you've been quite illustratitve. Thanks a lot.
Shamey killed himself because in a moment of desperation Bull said aloud he was going to put Tadgh up for immagration. Shamey apparently didn't want to see his young brother sent away, and he couldn't go because he was the oldest, so he hung himself, thereby securing Tadgh's future. If you listen in the scene by the fire when Bull's wife first speaks you can pick up on this.
shareTemirsultanov Land in Ireland is passed from father to son not son to son. John B based the play on two farmers in the 1950's not the 1930's the film was set in 1939. I just wanted to correct your mistakes.
shareAye.But finer than Shakespeare.
shareThe theme of the effects of suicide is dealt with very well in this film. It really does show the way it was viewed back in 1930's rural Ireland, the church would not allow a person who died by suicide to be buried in the church grounds, suicide is a major sin in the eyes of the church. Also when Tadgh runs out of the dance hall after he let the girl drop on the floor Bull orders bird to keep and eye on him and "make sure he comes to no harm" showing Bull's insecurity about his only remaining son and that maybe he has the suicide strain aswell. 13 years 6 months and 24 days
shareSwa this late one night on cable and missed some parts! THANKS!
~thoughts through my looking glass~
I was able to see this film again and it really is a insightful film. Also got to see a video clip on YouTube of Sean Bean's interview regarding his views on working with Harris an Hurt.
Karolyn Greengaze
thoughts through the looking glass
find peace my brother