Date of Award

2012

Degree Type

Open Access Master's Thesis

Degree Name

History, MA

Program

School of Arts and Humanities

Advisor/Supervisor/Committee Chair

Robert Dawidoff

Dissertation or Thesis Committee Member

Janet F. Brodie

Terms of Use & License Information

Terms of Use for work posted in Scholarship@Claremont.

Rights Information

© 2012 Eric Scott Elliott

Keywords

Davis, film, historical, IRA, Ireland, northern

Subject Categories

European History | Film and Media Studies | History

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to examine how the Irish Republican Army has been represented in theatrical cinema since the 1930s. The goal is to demonstrate the necessity for historical accuracy in movies produced for public entertainment, which often neglect historical facts and circumstances in portraying an organization as controversial and complex as the IRA. This has been done by examining five movies produced for wide-distribution and comparing each to the detailed historical record. Upon analysis of these movies, it becomes clear that the films which are the most historically relevant are also the most powerful cinematic productions, both through emotional power and overall entertainment.

DOI

10.5642/cguetd/23

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