Brenda McNamara, Colm Meaney, Daragh Naughton

In a quiet corner of South West Ireland lies a wide stretch of tidal water. On opposite sides of the water nestle the villages of Ballydowse and Carrickdowse: sleepy places which wake from the sound o...( read more  read more... )f the fishermen at their nets, the swish of wash fluttering in the breeze, and reassuringly, unmistakably, to the crescendo of children on their way to school. Large and small, tough and timid, buttoned up from head to toe, they tumble from their homes into the streets. But all is not quite as it seems. For an undeclared war exists between the Carricks and the Ballys and, though many of the townsfolk don't know it yet, battle lines have already been drawn. On one side stands the leader of the Ballys, Fergus, and his crew of loyal followers. Set against them is the head of the Carricks, Geronimo, and his gang. In the utterly serious world of childhood, a rivalry flourishes that will send ripples through two communities before it is over.

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85% liked it

5,336 ratings

PG, 1 hr. 30 min.

Directed by: John Roberts, Margy Kinmonth

Release Date: June 1, 1995

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DVD Release Date: September 10, 1996

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Stats: 275 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (275)


  • December 25, 2007
    This is a movie from my childhood. A personal favorite. LOVE IT!
  • August 16, 2009
    The children of Ballydowse and Carrickdowse engage in battles where they cut of the buttons, shoe-laces and underwear of their captured opponents. This is to get the boys in trouble with their parents. They go to battle in mass groups of dozens, throwing stones and cutting off th...( read more)eir opponents buttons etc. And sometimes they go to battle completely naked and exposed. In one such scene about 30 boys return from a battle to celebrate victory at a barn-house only to find some girls waiting for them and they get very embarrassed at losing their privacy.
  • February 13, 2009
    a good, entertaining movie. all story circle around kids and their imagination world. acting is also very well.
  • December 14, 2008
    classic movie typical irish lol our movies arnt so bad
  • September 11, 2008
    meh wasnt a bad film seemed a bit pathetic the storyline though
  • July 29, 2008
    this is a great kids war and irish film
  • June 16, 2008
    I've seen this film when I was a kid and I really loved it.. But, I hadn't know the title.. Recently, when browsing the net, I came to this title, and was happy that it was one of my favorite childhood movie..
  • April 21, 2008
    good irish film brings back me heritage
  • December 27, 2007
    some great acting by the kids in this hilarious "war movie"
  • November 7, 2007
    Delightful and charming.

Comments


  • lesleyp2004
    January 28, 2008
    love this film but cant buy it anywhere on dvd
  • lunycrazy123
    February 11, 2007
    this is easily one of the best films ever made and luvs it ta bits lol

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