The Field (1990)

Director:

Jim Sheridan

Writers:

John B. Keane (play)
Jim Sheridan (writer)

Release Date:

March 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

An unforgettable story of power and passion from the producer and director of My Left Foot.

Plot:

"Bull" McCabe's family has farmed a field for generations, sacrificing endlessly for the sake of the land...

Plot Keywords:

Farmer | Ireland | Land Rights | Tragedy | Independent Film

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 nominations

Cast

Richard Harris	...	'Bull' McCabe
Sean Bean	...	Tadgh McCabe
Frances Tomelty	...	Widow
Brenda Fricker	...	Maggie McCabe
John Hurt	...	Bird' O'Donnell
Ruth McCabe	...	Tinker Woman
Jer O'Leary	...	Tinker Girl's Father
Noel O'Donovan	...	Tomás
John Cowley	...	Flanagan
Ronan Wilmot	...	Tinker
Jenny Conroy	...	Tinker Girl
Joan Sheehy	...	2nd Tinker Woman
Sean McGinley	...	Father Doran
Malachy McCourt	...	Sergeant
Frank McDonald	...	Quarryman

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

Ireland | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Spain:13 | Iceland:14 | Australia:PG | Iceland:12 (video rating) | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:15 | USA:PG-13 | UK:12 (original rating) | UK:15 (video rating)

Filming Locations:

Aasleigh Church, Aasleigh, County Galway, Ireland

Company:

Granada Television

Trivia:

Rather than use prosthetic effects in his mouth, John Hurt had his caps removed and played the role of Bird with his own teeth.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: During the opening scene when the donkey is thrown off the cliff, as it hits the water its legs collapse into it. This shows that the donkey was a stuffed animal.

Quotes:

"Bull" McCabe: Go on father, go on. Lock the gates to God's house. Sure they were locked at the time of the Famine too. No priest died the time of the Famine: only poor people like us.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 63rd Annual Academy Awards (1991) (TV)

A true representation about the trials and tribulations of the Irish people.

While studying in Ireland, the subject of movies about - or filmed in - Ireland came up often with the locals. From Dublin to Galway, the movie mentioned most often was "The Field." Controversial and yet considered to be one of the truest representations of the Irish people of that era. It's also one of the few stories told about those who stayed behind during the famine, and survived. If you're looking for a feel-good movie about leprechauns, this ain't it. If you're up for "Gangs of New York" or "Legends of the Fall," you can handle it. Incredible performances by the late, Great Richard Harris and Sean Bean.