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source: The Raging Men

Shake Hands with the Devil

James Cagney plays a IRA commander who also happens to be a surgeon and medical professor. Don Murray is an Irish-American medical student who attends school in war torn Dublin. It is the 1920's and Cagney's men are fighting for independence from England. Murray must decide whether to join the radicals are remain neutral. Events dictate his ultimate decision and there are women to deal with along the way, played by Dana Wynter and Glynis Johns. The script is good and the acting tremendous. The Irish locations are filmed in black and white and although a 1959 film, it is worth watching.

An extremely restrained movie (never over-glorifying the Irish rebels or disparaging the British, except the Black & Tans who are essentially SS stormtroopers in this movie), if Shake Hands with the Devil makes any missteps it's exonerating its hero from cold-blooded murder and then funneling him into a cliched romantic subplot. It is a shame the protagonist didn't get more to work with. This is one the few times I wish a film was actually longer. Predictable tropes aside, its a well-written movie with some amazing moments of cinematography. James Cagney delivers an incredible and understated performance as a freedom fighter driven mad by patriotism and his own desire for moral cleansing, one of the best roles of his career. Cyril Cusack and Richard Harris shine in supporting roles.

Outstanding 1959 film showcasing the Irish rebellion against the occupying British. What terrific irony here with James Cagney, as usual in top form, as a surgeon who is also ahead of the rebel group. True to his cause, Cagney, who is supposed to save lives,will take life away for a free Ireland. He meets up with Don Murray, an American, whose father was also an Irish patriot. Murray is studying medicine in Ireland when he becomes part of the rebellious forces. As the bar-maid, Glynis Johns turns in a glowing supporting performance. Dana Wynter is also effective as the daughter of a British official, kidnapped by Cagney and his group to revenge the sentencing of the elderly Dame Sybil Thorndike for pro-rebel activities. We see an eventual break within the group as a truce is called. Cagney is totally against the latter as he wanted a totally free Ireland. This invariably leads to a showdown with Murray and others. A terrific film.

I first saw this film when I was 11, and even then I much admired it. Have seen it I don't know how many times since, and my original feelings re. this flick have only intensified. First off, many contemporary folks, in and beyond the West, know far too little about the Irish "troubles." This film brings them home, establishing that despite atrocities on either side, neither held the moral high ground with absolute certainty. Cagney is superb. His accent falters occasionally (although he was an Irish-American). But he nails every facet of his character, from the dedicated doctor and professor of medicine to the IRA commander who descends into fanaticism. Most of the rest of the cast is excellent. Murray is a little, well, not quite at that level, but he still gives a respectable performance --

Irish-American Kerry O'Shea (Don Murray) is studying at the College of Surgeons in 1921 Dublin. He refuses to join the resistance after seeing the futility of war while fighting in the Great War. His professor Sean Lenihan (James Cagney) turns out to be a leader of the IRA. He and his friend Paddy get caught up in an IRA ambush. Paddy is killed and Kerry leaves behind his notebook which has his name. Kerry becomes a wanted man. He still refuses to join the IRA at first but the situation overtakes him. Don Murray is horribly stiff and his character horribly naive. His story is melodramatic. In fact, there is a lot of old fashion melodramatic acting. I wish this movie is about Lenihan instead but at last, we're stuck with following Don Murray. James Cagney is definitely the more compelling actor and Don Murray pales in comparison. Cagney is brutal and exciting. His character is interesting. The story is a bit too long but it's still compelling enough.

The powerful imagery extends to characters as well as extraordinary cinematography. A fine cast turns in great performances all around. Beautiful b&w photography appears to be born of a long and co-operative association between director Michael Anderson and cinematographer Erwin Hillier. There is ample evidence of a director at work with a firm sense of purpose and the creative ability to pull it off. Unusual for its time in this respect. This film confirms what I've heard today's filmmakers (Scorcese and Spielberg) are saying--the work of Michael Anderson deserves much greater recognition.

This is one of the very best films from the tail end of Cagney's career. Unlike so many of his previous films, this movie was entertaining AND had something profound to say as well. The film is about IRA terrorists in the early days of the Irish Republic. Instead of being happy with the gains the Irish made, Cagney's character has been fighting so long he's lost track of WHY and is simply hellbent on murder and killing for its own sake. When other members begin calling for restraint, Cagney wants to escalate the killings until eventually he becomes a liability to the organization. While some times Cagney tended to "chew the scenery" at the expense of the film (i.e., he overacted), this movie actually benefited from this style. An excellent and timeless story.