Cillian Murphy talking about what made The Wind That Shakes the Barley so special is a great watch

Paul Moore

Incredible actor, incredible film.

With Season 5 of Peaky Blinders now on various global versions of Netflix – the gangster drama is available in the US and Canada – Cillian Murphy has been giving a series of interviews to promote the show’s release.

Throughout his career, the Corkman has preferred to keep a low profile as he abides by a very simple and understandable rule, the more that you’re in the public gaze, the less the public will believe you as an actor.

Truth be told, it’s sound advice and it has stood him in good stead so far.

However, whenever Murphy does speak to the press, he’s always incredibly articulate and insightful.

For example, JOE had the opportunity to sit down with him ahead of the most recent season of Peaky Blinders and as always, he was excellent company. Other interviews about Brexit and the Eighth Amendment are enthralling too.

While most people will know him as Tommy Shelby, Irish viewers will always have a special affinity for Murphy’s performance as Damien O’Donovan in Ken Loach’s superb drama, The Wind That Shakes The Barley.

Unlike most other films, the actors on the Palme d’Or-winning film often did scenes without being given a fully-formed script and lines to learn. Loach preferred authenticity, believability and a more natural performance from this cast.

Christ almighty, he got it!

During a recent interview with GQ, Murphy chatted openly about his most formative roles to date and the discussion about the Irish Civil War drama is fascinating.

“I felt a great responsibility with that film,” Murphy said.

“I auditioned for Ken Loach about four-five times, they’re very rigorous auditions with a lot of improvisation. Obviously, I knew an awful lot about that period of history, not in depth, or to the extent that I subsequently learned about it. Ken is a master of cinema and it was a great privilege to play a part in it. A privilege as an Irishman, and as an actor to work with Ken Loach.

“It was all shot around Cork – where I’m from – and it was a beautiful summer,” Murphy added.

“There’s some beautifully composed shots of the landscape and these men (flying columns) in the landscape. All of these stories in the script are based on real events and characters, but they’re kind of amalgamations. I don’t think it had been really dealt with cinematically like that – The War of Independence and the Civil War – and generations of families in Ireland went to see that film. I’m very, very proud of it and the message of the film.”

Despite the fact that it was released 13 years ago, The Wind That Shakes the Barley continues to find a new audience and it’s rightfully regarded as one of the greatest Irish films of all time.

During an older interview at the time of its release, Ken Loach elaborated on why he was drawn to the story and what made it so powerful.

“It’s still presented to us in Britain that it’s the Irish fighting themselves in the north. Of course, anyone with a sense of history knows that isn’t true. The violence was done by the British and particularly the British ruling class against the Irish people. We’ve never acknowledged that. I think one strong motivation to make the film was to tell that story and to show that what happened in Ireland for many years is the end of a colonial struggle,” he said.

“Just remember that in 1919, there was a huge democratic majority for an independent and united Ireland. The British sent in the army to stop that. That’s motivation enough for an uprising,” he said.

Aside from the chat about The Wind That Shakes the Barley, Murphy’s views on some of his other roles in the likes of Inception, Peaky Blinders, 28 Days Later, Disco Pigs, Dunkirk, Sunshine and the Batman trilogy are fascinating.

With Season 6 of Peaky Blinders rumoured to start filming in March and A Quiet Place 2 finishing production, the next few months are going to be quite busy for the Irish actor.

You can see Murphy interview with GQ below.