A timeless tragedy
On its publication Gulliver's Travels was a hugely controversial
commentary on the politics of the day. Today its political impact
has almost completely dissipated. It is now impossible for a
reader in the 1990s to truly grasp the impact of Swift's work.
This week over 60 years since it was first shown in Ireland John
Ford's film of the Liam O'Flaherty novel The Informer goes on
release again.
Like Swift's Gulliver there are aspects of the screenplay that
seem out of place to todya's viewer, but the film's central
theme, the tragic useless life of an informer, is still sadly as
relevant to an Irish audience as it was 65 years ago.
Ford's film is set over one night in Dublin during the Tan War.
It is the story of Gypo Nolan, a volunteer expelled from the IRA
for deliberately allowing a Black and Tan he was supposed to
execute escape. Gypo finds himself penniless on the streets of
Dublin and the plot takes us with him through his rash betrayal
and its deadly consequences.
Ford's Dublin is a bleak place, fogbound and filled with British
patrols, the plaintive tones of street singers and our tragic
central character. Long lingering shots and ominous shadows are
prevalent.
The best part of the film, however, is the portrayal of the pub
rabble that the informer lives on the edges of. Here is something
timeless and a trip today into any of Dublin's hostelries, even
the most upmarket spots, will find the same collection of sots
that Ford brings to life in this film.
How real though are Ford's Volunteers who track Gypo down? Their
commandant looks and talks like a New York 1930s private
detective, while his troops have a tendency to shoot and miss
with remarkable regularity. The difference between this portrayal
and Neil Jordan's Michael Collins is striking.
This film is well worth seeing on the big screen, the only
problem is that it will only be shown in Dublin, meaning a trip
to the capital for lucky audiences.
BY NEIL FORDE
When We Were Kings
Documentary review
When Ali was King
My personal pick of the Dublin Film Festival has to be When We
Were Kings, the story of Mohammad Ali's greatest triumph, the
Rumble In the Jungle, when he knocked out the world champion,
George Foreman, to regain his crown.
Shown last Saturday, this 88-minute documentary featured amazing
music from BB King, James Brown and others, including, finally,
the Fugees as the credits rolled. The filmmakers unearthed
original footage rarely seen before while the story itself was
enhanced by the participation of leading sports reporters who
witnessed the long wind-up to the great event. Their narration
and personal involvement in affairs had a cutting edge which 22
years had failed to dull.
One theme explored was the emergence of a young, charismatic and
ambitious fight promoter, the man who made it all come together,
one Don King. But the star of the film was the man who was bigger
than a boxer, more than a great champion, the mouth himself, Ali.
He out-talked, outpsyched, outsmarted and finally, outboxed
Foreman but the event itself reached mythical proportions.
Afterwards Ali could lay claim to be the most famous man in the
world. He was a potent symbol of resistance and success. The
symbolism of the fight taking place in Africa and how that
reflected on the Black Consciousness Movement in America was
palpable throughout. Ali had stood up to the American
establishment at every opportunity, whether by joining the Nation
of Islam or choosing jail rather than be drafted to fight in
Vietnam.
The Foreman fight was the culmination of his comeback and not
many gave him a chance. George Foreman was reckoned to be
virtually unbeatable, had demolished the best boxers around,
including Ken Norton and Joe Frasier. And yet Ali won, enraging
his opponent, letting him box himself out and finally exploding
off the ropes in the eighth round to score an unforgettable
knockout. The defeated champion retired, such was the
psychological impact of the fight.
Ali, despite his latter-day affliction with Parkinson's Disease,
remains a living legend. This film was a celebration of the magic
and intelligence, the incredible charm and wit, the presence,
integrity and bravery of Mohammad Ali, one of my all-time heroes.
It did him justice and cannot be too highly recommended.
BY LIAM O COILEAIN