Shake Hands With the Devil

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Shake Hands With the Devil

1959,

1h 50m,

Drama

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Watchlist

71%

7 Reviews

Tomatometer

56%

50+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

71%

Tomatometer

7 Reviews

56%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

In 1921, Kerry O'Shea (Don Murray), an American medical student living in Ireland, learns that his esteemed professor, Sean Lenihan (James Cagney), is also a leader in Ireland's rebel army. Even though Kerry's father and roommate have both been killed by British troops, he refuses to join the Irish rebellion. However, after Kerry is unjustly imprisoned and tortured by the British "Black and Tans" special forces, he fully commits himself to the cause of Irish freedom.

Frank J. Avella

Edge Media Network

Jan 21, 2022

A

Shake Hands with the Devil is an exceptional, bold work with great performances that should be considered a classic.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Jan 15, 2022

3/4

Opinions will naturally differ on the politics behind this drama set during the Irish War of Independence, but there will be no arguments over the quality of James Cagney's performance.

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Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

Oct 18, 2019

Touches of melodramatic hokum in the story diminish its impact hut fail to disqualify it as a worthy specimen.

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Jul 22, 2005

B

A good intro into the conflict between England and the IRA.

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Jun 18, 2005

B

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Finn S

Mar 26, 2019

James Cagney adds a bit of grit to an almost-true story of British domination over the oppressed Irish people in 1921 Dublin. Known as the "Troubles" over there, the British invaded Ireland 500 years ago and killed anyone who wouldn't obey their laws. Irish independence is the theme of this film, and this independence would finally be achieved later on in the twentieth century, too late for any of the protaganists in this movie to enjoy. The events are based on a book detailing events that occurred in 1921. Cagney. Murray. Johns are all top notch in their roles. The film is rife with true dramatics, things that Americans were never to hear much about. Ireland was fighting for its independence two hundred years after the U.S. achieved theirs.

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Michael Anderson

Director

James Cagney

Sean Lenihan

Don Murray

Kerry O'Shea

Dana Wynter

Jennifer Curtis

Glynis Johns

Kitty Brady

Michael Redgrave

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Synopsis

In 1921, Kerry O'Shea (Don Murray), an American medical student living in Ireland, learns that his esteemed professor, Sean Lenihan (James Cagney), is also a leader in Ireland's rebel army. Even though Kerry's father and roommate have both been killed by British troops, he refuses to join the Irish rebellion. However, after Kerry is unjustly imprisoned and tortured by the British "Black and Tans" special forces, he fully commits himself to the cause of Irish freedom.

Director: Michael Anderson
Producer: Michael Anderson
Screenwriter: Ivan Goff, Ben Roberts
Production Co: Pennebaker Productions
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 24, 1959, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 30, 2017
Runtime: 1h 50m

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