Shake Hands With the Devil (1959)

60% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
67% of users liked it
(59 ratings)

Filmed on location, Shake Hands With the Devil is set in Ireland during the "troubles" of 1921. James Cagney plays a brilliant medical professor who doubles as head of the Irish Republican Army. Cagney convinces one of his more pacifistic students, Don Murray, to join the underground struggle… More Filmed on location, Shake Hands With the Devil is set in Ireland during the "troubles" of 1921. James Cagney plays a brilliant medical professor who doubles as head of the Irish Republican Army. Cagney convinces one of his more pacifistic students, Don Murray, to join the underground struggle against British rule. Murray suffers a crisis of conscience when his sweetheart Dana Wynter is taken hostage by the IRA and is slated for execution by the zealous Cagney. Several members of Dublin's Abbey Players appear in supporting roles in Shake Hands With Devil. Watch for Richard Harris in the small part of Terence O'Brien. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By: Michael Anderson
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure

In Theaters: Jun 24, 1959 Wide
On DVD: Aug 1, 1993

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A good intro into the conflict between England and the IRA.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Great acting by Cagney complimented with solid work from everyone else makes this compelling viewing. Besides showing how impassioned furor can go too far and twist good men's souls this is a tense study of a group of freedom fighters. Good use of locations and atmospheric… More
Great acting by Cagney complimented with solid work from everyone else makes this compelling viewing. Besides showing how impassioned furor can go too far and twist good men's souls this is a tense study of a group of freedom fighters. Good use of locations and atmospheric filming add to the tone of this and make it well worth catching. One of Cagney's last films before his twenty year retirement.

Cast

            James Cagney as Sean Lenihan

            Don Murray as Kerry O'Shea

            Dana Wynter as Jennifer Curtis

            Glynis Johns as Kitty O'Brady

            Michael Redgrave as General

            Sybil Thorndike as Lady Fitzhugh

            Cyril Cusack as Chris Noonan

            Marianne Benet as Mary Madigan

            John Breslin as McGrath

            Harry Brogan as Cassidy

            Robert Brown as Sergeant

            Lewis Casson as The Judge

            John Cairney as Mike O'Callaghan

            Harry H. Corbett as Clancy

            Eileen Crowe as Mrs. Madigan

            Allan Cuthbertson as Captain (Black & Tans)

            Donal Donnelly as Willie Cafferty

            Wilfred Downing as Tommy Connor

            Eithne Dunne as Eileen O'Leary

            Paul Farrell as Doyle

            Richard Harris as Terence O'Brien

            William Hartnell as Sgt. Jenkins

            John Le Mesurier as British General

            Niall MacGinnis as Michael O'Leary

            Ray McAnally as Paddy Nolan

            Clive Morton as Sir Arnold Fielding

            Noel Purcell as Liam O'Sullivan

            Peter Reynolds as Captain (Black & Tans)

            Christopher Rhodes as Col. Smithson

            Alan White as Capt. Fleming

            Patrick McAlinney as Donovan
See full cast