SOME MOTHER'S SON

Ireland/US, 1996, 106 minutes, Colour.
Helen Mirren, Fionnula Flanagan, John Lynch, David O'Hara, Aiden Gillett, Tom Hollander, Tim Woodward, Ciaran Hinds, Gerard Mc Sorley.
Directed by Terry George.

Some Mother's Son comes from the team who made the successful In the Name of the Father. This time the setting is Belfast (well known to writer Terry George who spent some time in the Maze prison himself). It is the late 70s, early 80s. Bobby Sands is in prison and goes on his hunger strike. He is joined by others. British authorities are pursuing a `criminalising' strategy against the IRA, denying their claims that they are at war.

However, the focus is on two mothers of prisoners who join Sands in the strike. Helen Mirren plays a middle-class teacher in a Catholic school; Fionnula Flanagan is a farmer, a widow. They are both very persuasive in their performances. So, the audiences sees the bombings, the trials, the prison experiences through the perspective of the women, their growing awareness of the implications of the battles in Northern Ireland.

The point of view of the film is sympathetic to the IRA while voicing the criticisms of violence. It also presents Church ministry to the prisoners as well as the dilemmas of Church leaders in working out compromises with the British government. This is a very involving film.

1. The impact of this film about Ireland? The Troubles? A 90s view of the 70s and the 80s? A picture of the times? In retrospect?

2. The point of view of the film-makers about Northern Ireland, the British, Mrs Thatcher, the British Parliament, the Maze prisoners? The universal message? Kathleen as a focus of balance, looking at both sides of the issues? Her speaking of the title of the film as regards British soldiers? The film and possibilities for peace, non-violence, political settlement, deals and compromise?

3. The IRA and its history, seeing itself at war, not criminals, not terrorists, martyrs? What had happened by 1979? The events dramatised, the British presence, Frank and Gerard and their firing on the vehicle? Des Boyle and Sinn Fein?

4. The military, their attitude towards the Irish, their being on guard, blocking roads? Arrests? And the irony of their helping Kathleen and Annie get the car out of the sand?

5. The politicians, the opening with Mrs Thatcher, her saying the St Francis peace prayer, her television interviews, voice-overs? The stance of the British government towards the IRA, criminals not terrorists, deals? The policy of isolation, criminalisation, demoralisation? The official and his relentlessness, his speeches to the members of his staff, his visits to the prison, his interactions, the clashes with the prison chief, local authorities? His antagonism towards the representative of the Foreign Office? His double-deal on the deals? His sacking the Foreign Office official who had gone to Sinn Fein and brokered the deal? Westminster meetings? The local politician, his speeches - and his heart attack before he could do anything in parliament?

6. The church, its intervention, effective or not? The cardinal and his going with the priest for the concelebration in the prison? His meeting the men, their smell, yet his giving them communion and talking to them? His interview outside the prison and the reaction of the British? The chaplain, his talking with the men, friendship with Bobby Sands, celebrating the funerals? His final stances and Danny Boyle's attack and walking out of the church? The British and their shrewd using of the cardinal to broker a deal and to prevent Sinn Fein from getting the limelight?

7. Introduction to the film, Kathleen, her family, teaching at school, her love for Gerard, dancing with him, wanting him to go to the university? The explosion at school during the Irish dancing? The contrast with Annie, countrywoman, the cows and the military blockade, her daughter, the nun reprimanding her daughter and her going to the nun and speaking severely to her? Anti- British stance?

8. The shooting of the vehicle, the destruction, the Christmas Dinner, Frank and Gerard enjoying it, the arrest, the soldiers invading the Quigley household? The mothers and their reaction, Kathleen and her bewilderment? Lining up to go to the prison, seeing Gerard, not able to touch, her bewilderment? Her not being able to visit because of the protests? Her having to cope?

9. Bobby Sands, what he stood for at this stage, in the Maze prison, the long hair and beard, Gerard thinking he looked like Jesus? The refusal to wear uniforms, blankets, exercise and keeping fit, having to live in their own filth, the decision about the hunger strike, the choices to die for the cause? The mothers and their reaction to the hunger strike, the politicians, Sinn Fein, the posters indicating the days? The suffering of those in hunger? The possible deals, Bobby Sands and his leadership, the uniforms and the British going back on the deal? The continued refusal of food?

10. Bobby Sands and the decision that he be a candidate for election, the campaign, Kathleen and Annie and their being active, the announcing of the votes, the cheers from each side? The reaction of the British?

11. Kathleen and Annie, their different backgrounds, being together, Kathleen giving Annie the lift, Kathleen being given the message by Gerard, her reading it, her resentment, going to Danny Boyle? Her driving lessons for Annie, the soldiers helping with the car? The meetings, Frank Maguire, the two women going to Westminster to plead their case, the officer in charge and his severity, throwing back the decisions on their sons on them?

12. Bobby Sands, the victory, his death, the visit of the priests, the impact, his being the martyr, the funeral?

13. The Foreign Office representative going to Kathleen, her taking him to Danny Boyle, the discussions, the meeting, consulting with the prisoners? The photos of Harrington, his being dismissed? The phone call and the deal from the cardinal and Sinn Fein's anger?

14. Kathleen and Annie and their decisions about their sons, letting Frank die? Kathleen taking Gerard off the fast? The sons' characters, in the IRA, their protests, not seeing themselves as criminals, in the prison, their choices?

15. The aftermath, the deals, the British government? The film offering some kind of understanding, emotional reaction, history and deals, learning from history?