Bloody Sunday (2002)

92% of critics liked it
(103 reviews)
88% of users liked it
(8,325 ratings)

Paul Greengrass (The Theory of Flight) wrote and directed this powerful look at January 30, 1972 -- better known as "Bloody Sunday." Ivan Cooper (James Nesbitt) attempts to organize a peaceful protest after Protestant leaders imprison Catholics without a trial. His actions conflict with hard-line… More Paul Greengrass (The Theory of Flight) wrote and directed this powerful look at January 30, 1972 -- better known as "Bloody Sunday." Ivan Cooper (James Nesbitt) attempts to organize a peaceful protest after Protestant leaders imprison Catholics without a trial. His actions conflict with hard-line IRA members who have no interest in a "peaceful" response, as well as the military men responsible for keeping the peace who are led by Major General Robert Ford (Tim Pigott-Smith) and Brigadier Patrick Maclellan (Nicholas Farrell). By the end of the day, the military will fire on the protestors and kill 13 people. The events of this day still haunt the peace process in Ireland. Bloody Sunday was screened at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: Paul Greengrass
Written By: Paul Greengrass
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Oct 11, 2002 Limited
On DVD: Apr 22, 2003
Studio: Paramount Classics

Critic Reviews

Scott Foundas, Variety
Stunning.
Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Reader
Greengrass sacrifices character and plot to a chilling impressionistic stylization.
David Ansen, Newsweek
Watching director Paul Greengrass's explosive Bloody Sunday, you have to remind yourself at moments that you're not looking at a documentary.
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post
As a terrifying example of what can happen when too many angry people are crowded into too small a space, it's a gripper.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
It's not just one of the best but also one of the most important films of the year.
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News
Leaves you dazed and shaken, as if you, too, had been caught in the swirl of events that led to unspeakable sadness and a lot more bloodshed.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Powerful retelling of 1972 demonstrations.
Nick Rogers, Suite101.com
Time has offered the Troubles perspective, investigation and pop-culture outlets (U2′s "Sunday Bloody Sunday"). But Paul Greengrass's film spoke to how reason meant absolutely nothing when rage reigned on either side of the line.
Alan Morrison, Empire Magazine
Greengrass has deliberately chosen to provoke an emotional rather than intellectual response with his film -- but sometimes provocation is much preferred to the British media's maintenance of the status quo.
Alan Dale, Blogcritics.org
Bloody Sunday demonstrates an historical thesis formulated in retrospect, which fits oddly with Greengrass's continuous-present technique.
Trevor Johnston, Time Out
Comparisons with The Battle of Algiers are not inappropriate.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Intense and difficult, but rewarding.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
As atuações viscerais e a direção pseudo-documental recriam com contudência um dos episódios mais revoltantes da história da luta irlandesa contra a dominação britânica.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Captures the horrors of a civil rights march taking a wrong turn in the Northern Ireland city of Londonderry on Sunday, January 30, 1972.
Brian Gibson, Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Canada)
This is tragedy in its rawest form: bloody chaos I couldn't help but watch. . . . The tension is palpable and the brutality is immediate.
Jurgen Fauth, About.com
The immediacy is overwhelming...an extraordinarily powerful film.
Mark Robison, Reno Gazette-Journal
An amazing feat of movie making, "Bloody Sunday" leaves you stunned.
Kimberley Jones, Austin Chronicle
No victories here, but Greengrass' film is a triumph in anguish.
Prairie Miller, Long Island Press
The audience is placed right in the center of events in a multi-sensual, horrific 'you are there' virtual reality of social protest that grabs you and never lets go.
Gregory Weinkauf, New Times
The film exudes a universality that may apply to any conflict, especially any that provokes people to become killing machines in the name of nationalism.

Read all 20 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cynthia S

Interesting account of what happened on this tragic day. Not sure which side is telling the truth, but it is quite clear that things got way out of control. This movie was filmed in reality, shaky camera style...not my favorite. However, it was a decent attempt at telling this… More
Interesting account of what happened on this tragic day. Not sure which side is telling the truth, but it is quite clear that things got way out of control. This movie was filmed in reality, shaky camera style...not my favorite. However, it was a decent attempt at telling this unfortunate event in history.
familiar s

Felt it a bit lengthy, but otherwise incredible. Of course I was never aware of such historical incident. But that's no news, is it? However, I found it a bit exaggerated when Ivan compares the incident to the Amritsar Massacre (aka Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, which also happened… More
Felt it a bit lengthy, but otherwise incredible. Of course I was never aware of such historical incident. But that's no news, is it? However, I found it a bit exaggerated when Ivan compares the incident to the Amritsar Massacre (aka Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, which also happened to be a Sunday). Worth a watch, but could have been edited better.
Reid V

Greengrass is just plain and simply, the man. He has the Midas touch in which everything he touches, turns to gold. In this gripping retelling of the events in 1972, Greengrass takes memories so wrought with emotion, and presents them in a way that seems not only fresh, but also fair.… More
Greengrass is just plain and simply, the man. He has the Midas touch in which everything he touches, turns to gold. In this gripping retelling of the events in 1972, Greengrass takes memories so wrought with emotion, and presents them in a way that seems not only fresh, but also fair. While he could have easily made a film vilifying the British for their actions, he takes time to give them reason, and shows the rage that was boiling up on both sides. As soon as you spend too much time with one side, the picture fades to black and we are taken back to the other side of the battle. On top of being a stylistic choice, it also helps keep the audience objective. He by no means defends the British, but he does the best he can to make the audience understand the calamity. As for the calamity itself, it is incredibly well done and unbelievably intense. I have never felt like I was in the middle of such a violent conflict before and this film just made me plunge right in the eye of the storm. The acting here is top notch and there are some pretty stunning long takes that help to really put you right in the heart of the chaos. All in all a very fine film. A gripping and very fine film indeed.
xGary X

The true story of one of the most pivotal and shameful events during the troubles of Northern Ireland when the occupying British army opened fire on unarmed civil rights protesters in 1972. Paul (The Bourne Identity) Greengrass' representation of this horrific event in Irish… More
The true story of one of the most pivotal and shameful events during the troubles of Northern Ireland when the occupying British army opened fire on unarmed civil rights protesters in 1972. Paul (The Bourne Identity) Greengrass' representation of this horrific event in Irish history is an uncompromising, unflinching and honest portrayal of something the British government would no doubt wish to forget and only relatively recently admitted responsibility for. The documentary style approach avoids soap opera style melodrama, unnecessary sub plots and sentimentality to show a truthful and unbiased picture of what happened that day and it's all the more powerful for it. James Nesbitt shines amongst a cast that are all totally believable as both sides of the story are shown in equal measure, both the victims of the atrocity and the unprepared military whose lack of training for such situations and indifferent command led to a huge over reaction and tragedy. It's a deeply shocking story and a timely reminder of what it must be like for any population who has to live their lives in fear.
Jani H

"All over this city tonight, young men... boys will be joining the IRA, and you will reap a whirlwind" January 30th, 1972... "The Day The Innocence Died", "Bogside Massacre" or "Bloody Sunday" as we know it best of, is a day that most know of,… More
"All over this city tonight, young men... boys will be joining the IRA, and you will reap a whirlwind" January 30th, 1972... "The Day The Innocence Died", "Bogside Massacre" or "Bloody Sunday" as we know it best of, is a day that most know of, even those who do not live in Ireland or Britain. A day that should never have happened. 27 unarmed civil rights protesters were shot down by the British Army in Derry, Northern Ireland. 'Bloody Sunday' tells the story of that day in a very realistic way. The protest march may have been banned but the actions made by the British Army were shocking. Unarmed protesters were fired at, people who were taking care of the wounded were shot... The British Army based their actions only on rumors of IRA (Irish Republican Army) members taking actions against the Army. Not a single soldier was wounded during the day... The production values and the performances in the film are very good and realistic. James Nesbitt plays the role of a member of the parliament of Northern Ireland. His character tries to keep it all peaceful before the incidents. Nesbitt is perfect for the role and in my opinion this is his best work thus far. Paul Greengrass, the director of the film, is best known for his work behind two Jason Bourne films, 'The Bourne Supremacy' and 'The Bourne Ultimatum'. But the film that I consider to be his most important one is 'United 93', a film that tells one story of the 9/11 attack against the US. There's one common factor with all these four films. They all look very real, even the action in the Bourne films. Greengrass is a director who concentrates on relevant things and manages to give us something to think about. 'Bloody Sunday' is a very important film. If you are even slightly interested in the modern history of Ireland (like me), you should really take a look at this film. Greengrass' breakthrough film comes highly recommended to you all. "And the battle's just begun. There's many lost, but tell me who has won. The trench is dug within our hearts and mothers, children, brothers, sisters torn apart. Sunday Bloody Sunday. Sunday Bloody Sunday."
Tim S

I really like this film and hope that Greengrass continues to do more films like it instead of the whole Bourne thing (I like those movies, too). The pacing, the build up, the actual "riot", and the aftermath are all very well handled. Shit, this movie made me want to join… More
I really like this film and hope that Greengrass continues to do more films like it instead of the whole Bourne thing (I like those movies, too). The pacing, the build up, the actual "riot", and the aftermath are all very well handled. Shit, this movie made me want to join the IRA. I am always amazed when a film can match any sense of realism to an actual event, especially when recreating it like this film here. Nesbitt is great, as are all the actors.
Aaron N

Ivan Cooper: I just want to say this to the British Government... You know what you've just done, don't you? You've destroyed the civil rights movement, and you've given the IRA the biggest victory it will ever have. This movie is a well handled drama depicting… More
Ivan Cooper: I just want to say this to the British Government... You know what you've just done, don't you? You've destroyed the civil rights movement, and you've given the IRA the biggest victory it will ever have. This movie is a well handled drama depicting the events of Sunday January 30, 1972 where Northern Irish civil rights march turned into a bloody massacre at the hands of the British Army. The film is shot as if it were a documentary, shown from multiple perspectives, including a civil rights leader, Ivan Cooper, played by James Nesbit, a local boy who wants to participate in the march, an army commander claiming to want as little harm as possible, and various other point of views depicting the events. The film was directed by English native Paul Greengrass, who has used his hand held style, seen in what he has done with the Bourne series, to give a gritty and realistic portrayal of these events. As I watched this film it made me think of it as a modern day version of The Battle of Algiers, a similar film depicting the Algerian wars from a very gritty perspective. Because of the effective style of this film, it all feels very natural. The performers don't seem like actors as much as people who were involved (in fact many of the extras in the march did in fact march on that day all those years ago). Nesbit, who serves as the closest person to a lead role is particularly good. He starts the film off as an optimistic person hoping to see change by the end of it. He does see change, but in an unfortunate opposite way, as he becomes more and more disillusioned by what he sees occur. While the film is very well made and certainly gets across a neat recreation of events, the beginning could have better set the audience up for what the conflict was to begin with, especially those who are not aware of the past situations in Northern Ireland. However, the effective direction of the movie makes it a very good film to watch. Ivan Cooper: All over this city tonight, young men... boys will be joining the IRA, and you will reap a whirlwind.
Pierluigi P

Paul Greengrass is an onanist but the film achieves harrowing intensity on its depiction of the actual and horrible violent acts. very good performances.
Sarah G

Documentary-style drama showing the events that lead up to the tragic incident on January 30, 1972 in the Northern Ireland town of Derry when a protest march led by civil rights activist Ivan Cooper was fired upon by British troops, killing 13 protesters and wounding 14 more. Wow,… More
Documentary-style drama showing the events that lead up to the tragic incident on January 30, 1972 in the Northern Ireland town of Derry when a protest march led by civil rights activist Ivan Cooper was fired upon by British troops, killing 13 protesters and wounding 14 more. Wow, Wow, Wow and more Wow!!! This is just one oustanding film and one emotional rollercoaster of a film. Some stunning shots and one brilliant performance by James Nesbitt. Wow I was just oustounded bythis film. <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/sarah88_uk/_1755111_bloody_sunday_300.jpg" border="0"alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a> Really I don't think I've ever seen such an emotionally powerful film perhaps since I watched Greengrasses United 93 The documentry feel to this is just oustanding. You really get a sense of being in the moment and feeling the intense atmophere around you. Really, as I said in my United 93 Review" Hats off to Greengrass" this is really a masterpiece. <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/sarah88_uk/_18-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a> The film draws to the eventful climax though quick editing, there you really are kept on tender-hooks as you want to keep watching the film more and more. The main strength of the film is that it uses handheld cameras to create a great sense of chaos, confusion and disorientation. This helps show the events in a relatively balanced light. It's not clear if shots are fired at the army or not - it's so noisy that some of the bangs could have been shot. Thus this effect creates the emotion for the film that really made me cry- the last time that happened it was when I watched United 93. There are some brilliant shots of Londen Derry, which add to a claustrophophicatmosphere. Really there aren't that many words to describe this film. I'm left utterly speechless. One powerful, stunning film. <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/sarah88_uk/3c70c39e0c145.jpg" border="0"alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a> This is the film that got Greengrass the nod for The Bourne Supremacy and I can see why they chose him. All the films that I have seen of his each have the hand-held camera style. This adds to a realism feel and a sense that you really are in the picture with this characters and experincing what they are experiencing. Utterly fantastic! Being British and watching this makes me question the motives of my Government. I mean after this disaster the British army concluded that their actions were justified. Some members of the army were awarded by the Queen. This really has made me think twice. Really I think I've repeated "Oustanding" a few times here. You know that I enjoyed this film and that I recomend it. This is why he is doing teh Bourne Franchise his technique in filmaking is stunning!! I'll stop now. Go out and find this film in your area NOW! You won't regret it. I was left shell shocked and stunned by the end of this brilliant film. I don't think I'll ever forget it. Gone straight to my top 5 favourite movies of all time. HIGHLY RECOMENDED 10/10
Eduardo T

I don't really know what to say about this one. Many people don't even talk about it because of what it's about. For this one I don't want to talk about subject matter at all just what makes a film. This was filmed as a documentary. What we see on screen isn't… More
I don't really know what to say about this one. Many people don't even talk about it because of what it's about. For this one I don't want to talk about subject matter at all just what makes a film. This was filmed as a documentary. What we see on screen isn't real they are actors but it sure seems real. I'm not much of a fan of the shaky camera but this film incorporated it well. The acting was superb. It felt as if they weren't even actors. The direction could have been better. The timing was a little of for the most part. The production values where by far the best part of the film. Overall this was a good view at a controversial topic.
Kyle S

Wow, easily Paul Greengrass' best work in my opinion. He really makes you feel as if you are in the "battle" allthough I should say more of a "massacre." Epic yet heartbreaking...makes for essential viewing. Any fan of cinema NEEDS to give this a watch.… More
Wow, easily Paul Greengrass' best work in my opinion. He really makes you feel as if you are in the "battle" allthough I should say more of a "massacre." Epic yet heartbreaking...makes for essential viewing. Any fan of cinema NEEDS to give this a watch. Similar to classic storytelling such as "THe Battle of Algiers," in the fact that it follows a Civil RIghts activist, a General, a 17-year old boy caught up in the riots, and an uneasy paratrooper, and how they all play a key part in what was one of the saddest days in Irish history.
Erin C

This movie took FOREVER to get going. I was really bored until about an hour into it. What happened was pretty horrible though - very sad.
Anastasia B

Greengrass is not my cup of cake, generally speaking (AND i wouldn't even discuss TEA) but I can tell he's excellent here- in a concept that I can actually enjoy. ZlatkoGR reminded me of the film and I thought that I should drop a line or two for this political film which… More
Greengrass is not my cup of cake, generally speaking (AND i wouldn't even discuss TEA) but I can tell he's excellent here- in a concept that I can actually enjoy. ZlatkoGR reminded me of the film and I thought that I should drop a line or two for this political film which redefined the relationship between fiction and documentary film-making.