Powerful Anti-Terror Advert

Aired on Northern Irish television during The Troubles.

Personally I think this is one of the best examples of using the media to battle terrorism rather than fuelling the fire.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Northern Irish troubles
• anti-terror advert
• terrorism
• Northern Ireland
• IRA
• Irish Republican Army
• UDA
• UVF
• UFF
• RIRA
• PIRA
• UTV
• change of ways
• cats in the cradle
• Glassfone

[hayesda]

That's Harry Chapin's version, if I'm not mistaken. He was the original writer/composer of this song back in 1974.

[glassfone]

That's right mate. It's a great tune. I'd forgotten who originally wrote this one. Cheers

[YassinTheAssassin]

Excuse my ignorance ( I was born in 1994, quite a few years before the advert came to the screens) but was this song specifically written for this advert?

[glassfone]

No mate. It was written way back. It's called 'Cats In The Cradle'.. It's been done by Cat Stevens, Guns 'n' Roses and others. I think the makers of the ad just chose to make a film to this version of the music

[henriktheghod]

i remember this came out just after my uncle was killed,it upset our family and a lot of others deeply but what could we do,there was also another anti terror advert at the same time,showed ya clips of different places that people were killed including my uncles place of death which i wont mention here as some people might use this against me,cant remember what the music was though,would love to see it again if anyone out there knows it.cheers people

[glassfone]

I think I know the one you mean mate. I'll see if I can find that one too

[TheBubblez10]

@HateFenians with a name like 'HATE FENIANS' How can you say your not a biggot? Wise up son

[tinytot2k11]

im 13 and we had to watch this in english one time and my cousin was just after been burried and this made me cry because a cousin of mine died in the troubles, its very touching and heartbreaking

[mjm1084]

Hi, wonder if you can help. I'm trying to find an old advert depicted catholic & protestant. I don't remeber much about it other than there were two schoolboys in it - one catholic & one protestant and how they were friends. I'm nearly sure the song with lyrics "my mama told me there will be days like these" played in the background....any ideas?

[dolotsofacid]

Damn, intense video!

[iambeastLol]

...And before you start spouting the usual posh know that I am a Scots/Catholic of Irish Blood who was serving in Ulster at the time of this video release on UTV.

It had a profound affect on me and many of my fellow workmates as at the time the levels of violence had escalated severely on BOTH SIDES.

The"Trick Or Treat" Killings spring to mind immediately when re watching this.

Violence SOLVES FUCK ALL.

Peace Is The Way Forward.

Westminster OUT.

[iambeastLol]

How Ironic that this brave video made purely and sincerely in the hope that it would contribute to bringing change and a bit of peace to the troubled shores of Ireland should have Moronic and Biggoted Arseholes fighting and arguing over the chosen subject matter.

Wise up and try resolve you're differences in a mature and constructive manner?

[angels77100]

@telboyirish Seems like you did nothing over the past 3 hours but troll Irish pages and leave hate messages. What happened? Did you come home from the pub alone and decide to try and piss of Irish people in your frustration? Well it is getting near to the 12th celebrations isn't it, and it's time to release all that hatred before you go marching. And drop the Irish from your name, you sure as hell ain't Irish buddy.

[angels77100]

@telboyirish Well I checked through the records, even scoured the internet. There's no mention of a 12 year old from Banbridge having been murdered in the 80's by any terrorist group. And the reason I mentioned 'records' is because we have on file nearly all incidents related to terrorism and hostilities during the troubles. (Especially the 1980s). Why don't you find someone else to troll!

[TThorne931]

Filthy Britts 

[darrylxxx]

It was Harry Chapin's song alright, but it was re-recorded for this ad. Shot in and around Glasgow. I was the producer.