I know that this John Ford film received Oscars for both his direction and Victor McLaglen's acting, so I was very surprised how it did not particularly impress me. While very beautifully filmed, the plot just seemed too simple and repetitive. Plus, the title of the film really says it all--it's the story about a guy who betrays one of his comrades. 'Nuff said. Plus, while many were impressed by McLaglen, I really thought he hammed it up a bit and his less than subtle acting style was much more suited to supporting roles. Overall, while still NOT a bad film, I got quickly bored by the whole thing and feel this film hasn't aged very well.
Perhaps I would have felt more connection to the film if I had Irish ancestry. I'm sure Irish-Americans felt drawn to the characters and the fight between the IRA and Brits. I just felt that it was hard to care at all about a group of people who were terrorists. After all, Wallace Reid, the guy wanted by the Brits, is wanted for murder. So how can I particularly feel sorry for him? It just seems that if in the 21st century we are expected to condemn world-wide terrorism, I can't allow myself to condemn some while excusing others. Terror is terror after all. And, feeling sorry for terrorists just seems wrong. And so, at times, I felt McLaglen's character did the right thing (but for totally selfish reasons)--thus destroying the crux of the film.
Perhaps I would have felt more connection to the film if I had Irish ancestry. I'm sure Irish-Americans felt drawn to the characters and the fight between the IRA and Brits. I just felt that it was hard to care at all about a group of people who were terrorists. After all, Wallace Reid, the guy wanted by the Brits, is wanted for murder. So how can I particularly feel sorry for him? It just seems that if in the 21st century we are expected to condemn world-wide terrorism, I can't allow myself to condemn some while excusing others. Terror is terror after all. And, feeling sorry for terrorists just seems wrong. And so, at times, I felt McLaglen's character did the right thing (but for totally selfish reasons)--thus destroying the crux of the film.