Search - Into the West on DVD

A magical family film that brings Ireland home....

Veggiechiliqueen | 07/07/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Into the West" is an underrated jewel of Irish filmmaking that follows a rather unconventional storyline: a down-and-out father, Papa Reilly, (Gabriel Byrne), leads a miserable existence in a Dublin slum along with his two young sons. The poverty and bleakness is overwhelming and not what one would expect from a Disney film (which it is). Starving children sing on streetcorners for money, fathers drink away the welfare money, and education and sanitary conditions seem alien. This is not the Ireland of "The Quiet Man" or even "The Secret of Roan Inish." Papa Reilly is a traveller, or gypsy, although he has forsaken the old ways after his wife's death. His father-in-law tries to convince him in vain to return to the roads, but Reilly stands firm, insolently refusing all help. His two sons Tito and Ossie fall in love with a mysterious white horse that has followed their grandfather's caravan, and the two claim Tir na Nog as their own (but the horse had claimed them first). The lines between fantasy and reality are blurred, and this is not just a children's film, nor is it solely for an older audience. It is hybrid of mythology and magic much like "The Secret of Roan Inish," another Irish fairytale of a film that also dealt with magical animals (in that case seals). The rest of the movie requires suspension of disbelief, including several improbable chase scenes, but the heartwarming stories of the two boys coming to terms with their past (their mother's death, their father's alcoholism) and forging stronger bonds of brotherhood, and the grieving father and widower coming to terms with his loss and resolving to start a new life with his sons as the king of the travellers once more, truly make this a touching and unforgettable film.The scenery is beautiful, from the bleak, grey Dublin slums to the gently sloping western mountains, spectacular craggy cliffs and crashing seaspray. The soundtrack is a blend of Irish music old and new, with contributions from Black 47, the Rankin Family and Clannad. Patrick Doyle ("Shipwrecked") composed the score, which uses Irish instruments and haunting Irish Gaelic vocals to build atmosphere.There are several tense moments during action sequences which may prove frightening to younger children, but nothing overly objectionable in "Into The West." Younger children may find it a bit slow and hard to follow, but patience is truly a virtue in the case of this magical film."

A journey to Tir Na Nog

Veggiechiliqueen | 08/21/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In Irish mythology, Tir Na Nog is the home of eternal youth. Which is fitting, because "Into the West" is a movie for those of us who remain young-at-heart. That may sound cheesy, but my 6-year-old brother couldn't sit still long enough to pay attention the first time we watched this movie. My sister and myself, who were in our teens when it was first released on video, were completely captivated. In fact, the only thing remotely wrong w/ this movie is the way it was marketed when it hit theaters. The trailers didn't provide a clue as to what this film was about, or the magic it held. The 2 young boys are marvelous actors, and Gabriel Byrne is very good as their loving, if miserable father. The lyricism and fairytale quality to the film are spellbinding, and the ending may very well leave you tearing up. For a full evening of Irish folklore, watch this in a double-bill w/ "The Secret of Roan Inish.""

THIS HAS EVERYTHING

T. Bellows | 12/11/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This movie has a subtle romance, near-violence (but really no violence), humor, adventure, touching memories, kids' antics, a supernatural horse, and . . . well, all the ingredients of a first-class film. I've shown this to my English classes many times. And it always intrigues me fully!

A movie with everything--even a fairly close parallel with the spiritual principles Paul Twitchell wrote about so clearly.

A movie for everyone.

"

We can't stop renting, so decided to buy!

Veggiechiliqueen | 02/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"We first rented this movie for my 5 year old daughter, not knowing what to expect, but we knew she liked horses. We rented this movie perhaps 10 times since; she is 9 and instead of renting it again, I decided to buy it for her. This is more than a movie about a horse. it is a juxaposition of the past and present, the harsh reality of modern life and the mythology that gives life meaning. Whether Irish, English, or American, you will like this movie, and after watching it once, you will likely have to watch it again to convince yourself you understood what you saw."