Bloody Sunday
Release Date:
October 4, 2002
Limited release
Based on the events that transpired on January 30, 1972 in Northern Ireland, when 13 civilians were gunned down by the British army, Bloody Sunday shows that horrific event through the eyes of two young men: One a civil rights leader, the other a Catholic. Originally airing on British television, Bloody Sunday was given a limited release in some European countries. Anyone familiar with the Catholic/Protestant split in Northern Ireland will not be surprised to learn that Bloody Sunday's release was met with controversy and accusations of historical inaccuracies. Despite that controversy, or possibly because of it, Bloody Sunday won the Golden Bear at the 2002 Berlin Film Festival.
Paramount Classics is distributing the Paul Greengrass-directed film in the US. Their job is monumental, considering the average US citizen's knowledge of Northern Ireland's Bloody Sunday is probably confined to drumming along with the U2 song. So, will US crowds show up for a 30-year-old Irish tragedy? I doubt it. I think the only saving grace for this film could be Oscar buzz for James Nesbitt, who plays the civil rights leader who organized the ill-fated rally. Early word is that the documentary-style film isn't as unbiased as it claims to be, and definitely favors those civilians who died that day. That should not be a deterrent for moviegoers. They tend to ignore inaccuracies if the story is compelling enough. I think Paramount's best angle would be to let Oscar buzz build up for Nesbitt, then platform release Bloody Sunday in December when the pre-Oscar awards come out. Even with the best Oscar campaign this side of Miramax, I can't see Bloody Sunday making more than $15 million total in the United States. (David Parker/BOP)
Vital statistics for Bloody Sunday |
| Main Cast |
Tim Pigott-Smith, James Nesbitt |
| Supporting Cast |
Nicholas Farrell, Gerard McSorley, Kathy Keira Clarke, Allan Gildea, Gerard Crossman, Mary Moulds, Carmel McCallion, Christopher Villiers, James Hewitt, Declas Duddy, Edel Frazer |
| Director |
Paul Greengrass |
| Screenwriter |
Paul Greengrass |
| Distributor |
Paramount Classics |
| Trailer |
Click Here for Trailer
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| Official Site |
http://www.paramountclassics.com/bloodysunday/ |
| Rating |
R |
| Running Time |
107 minutes |
| Screen Count |
54 |
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Talent in red has entry in The Big Picture |
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