The Plough and the Stars (1936)

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John Ford, whose fierce pride in his Irish heritage often manifested itself in his work, directed this historical drama which uses as its backdrop the 1916 Easter Rebellion of Irish patriots against British rule. Nora Clitheroe (Barbara Stanwyck) runs a rooming house in Dublin and tries to stay away… More John Ford, whose fierce pride in his Irish heritage often manifested itself in his work, directed this historical drama which uses as its backdrop the 1916 Easter Rebellion of Irish patriots against British rule. Nora Clitheroe (Barbara Stanwyck) runs a rooming house in Dublin and tries to stay away from the political turmoil raging around her, so she becomes quite upset when she learns that her husband Jack (Preston S. Foster) has joined a militia of Irish rebels trying to drive out the British. Nora fears for Jack's safety and begs him to keep his distance from the revolutionary forces. Jack assures her that he'll step back from their activities, but it's not until it's too late that Nora learns that Jack has done just the opposite -- and has become a commander with the Irish Citizen Army as they plan an ill-fated raid on the Dublin Post Office. John Ford had several bitter disputes with RKO Pictures while making The Plough and the Stars, especially after the studio re-shot several scenes with another director to tone down the film's politics; while he distributed several independent productions through the studio, he never shot another picture for RKO. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 18 min.
Directed By: John Ford
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure

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Chris B

John Ford, showcasing his pride of his Irish heritage, made this emotional and realistically violent film about the 1916 Easter Rebellion of Irish patriots revolting against their British rulers. The film is captured brilliantly and is filled with loads of destruction and the… More
John Ford, showcasing his pride of his Irish heritage, made this emotional and realistically violent film about the 1916 Easter Rebellion of Irish patriots revolting against their British rulers. The film is captured brilliantly and is filled with loads of destruction and the devastating effects on the Irish people. RKO studios had another Director come in to reshoot the more political tones that Ford wanted, causing him to never make another film with the studio again. If you're a fan of John Ford and Classic films, this is one to give a spin.

Cast

            Barbara Stanwyck as Nora Clitheroe

            Preston S. Foster as Jack Clitheroe

            Barry Fitzgerald as Fluther Good

            Denis O'Dea as The Young Covey

            Eileen Crowe as Bessie Burgess

            Arthur Shields as Padraic Pearse

            Una O'Connor as Maggie Cogan

            F.J. McCormick as Capt. Brennon

            Moroni Olsen as Gen. Connally

            J.M. Kerrigan as Peter Flynn

            Bonita Granville as Mollser Gogan

            Erin O'Brien-Moore as Rosie Redmond

            Neil Fitzgerald as Lt. Kangon

            Robert E. Homans as Tommy the Barman

            Wesley Barry as Sniper

            D'Arcy Corrigan as Priest

            Michael Fitzmaurice as ICA

            Mary Gordon as Woman at Barricades

            Frank S. Hagney
            
            Ben Hall
            
            Brandon Hurst as Sgt. Tinley

            Doris Lloyd as Woman at Barricades

            Cyril McLaglen as Corporal Stoddart

            Pat Moriarity
            
            Lionel Pape as The Englishman

            Gaylord "Steve" Pendleton as ICA

            Mary Quinn as Second Woman

            Billy Watson
            
            Francis Ford
            
            Jack Pennick
            
            Ernie Shields
            
            Buck Mack
            
            Margaret A. Morris
            
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