The Dawning (1988)

Director:

Robert Knights

Writers:

Jennifer Johnston (novel)
Moira Williams (writer)

Release Date:

7 June 1990 (Australia)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

His war will never end. Her love will never die.

Plot:

An IRA gunman on the run from the government. He meets up with an idealistic young woman and attempts to win her support for his cause. |

Plot Keywords:

Crush | Teenage Boy | Mysterious Stranger | Ireland | Melodrama

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Anthony Hopkins	...	Cassius aka Angus Barrie
Rebecca Pidgeon	...	Nancy Gulliver
Jean Simmons	...	Aunt Mary
Trevor Howard	...	Grandfather
Tara MacGowran	...	Maeve
Hugh Grant	...	Harry
Ronnie Masterson	...	Bridie
John Rogan	...	Mr. Carroll
Joan O'Hara	...	Maurya
Charmian May	...	Celia Brabazon
Ann Way	...	George Brabazon
Mark O'Regan	...	Joe Mulhare
Brendan Laird	...	Tommy Roche
Adrian Dunbar	...	Capt. Rankin
Geoffrey Greenhill	...	Cpl. Tweedie

Runtime:

USA:97 min | Brazil:97 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:12 | UK:PG | USA:PG | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Ireland

Company:

Lawson Productions

Trivia:

The film was dedicated to the memory of Trevor Howard, who died soon after it was made.

Quotes:

Nancy Gulliver: [screaming to Harry, who's just walked out] I'll have done it by your age!
Aunt Mary: [walking in] Done what?
Nancy Gulliver: ...My degree.

Another Enjoyable Look at Irish History.

Anthony Hopkins has a truly magnificent range as an actor. In 'The Dawning' he plays a member of the Irish landed-gentry whose destiny has become inextricably connected to the independence of all Ireland from British Rule, circa. 1920. This commitment sees him on the run from the British after perpetrating numerous acts of violence to achieve this end and returning to his old stamping grounds; perhaps for reasons of nostalgia, perhaps to seek his final resting place. Rebecca Pidgeon gives a sensitive portrayal of an orphan girl about to enter womanhood who is searching for an identity from somewhere in a past obscured by lack of information from those responsible for her upbringing. That she should stumble upon Anthony Hopkins in hiding seems inevitable and that their relationship should throw up unresolved ambiguities is of course central to the narrative. The acting is very good and the Irish locations absolutely stunning. But those looking for some historical clarification of the times are bound to be disappointed. This is a film of acute characterizations, and the incidents and events depicted in the film are merely props to support the interaction between Hopkins and Pidgeon. It's also a film with almost no Irish actors in the cast and to my mind this has rendered it a touch colorless and lacking authenticity. But it's a very watchable film and I've given it 7 out of 10.