A WAR OF CHILDREN PART 1 1972

The War of Children is an uncomfortably realistic TV drama of the latter-day "troubles" in Ireland. The tension is magnified by the decision to film many of the key scenes in battle-scarred Belfast, with the crew dodging bullets all down the line. These sequences were seamlessly blended with newsreel footage and with pickup shots filmed in the safer confines of Dublin. Actual Belfasters were used as extras, which explains why their reactions of horror and hatred are so grimly convincing. Given the verisimilitude of the production, and the input of Hallmark Hall of Fame veterans James Costigan (scriptwriter) and George Schafer (director), it's something of a shame that in terms of dramatic conflict, War of Children resorts to the old Montague/Capulet routine. In this instance, the star-crossed romance is between an Irish Catholic girl (Jenny Agutter) and a Protestant British Soldier (John Ronane).

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• FILM

[Rexag]

Wow, I too have been looking for this movie for years. First, had to finally get the name. for all I remember is the impact it had on me when seeing it. I never forgot it, and I was 9 years old. Being Catholic, it was my first real exposure to religious prejudice that was my religion. Thanks for the post! I can now put together the pieces that were only left in my memory.

[nitah53]

Thank you so very much for sharing this film!! I have been looking for a copy of it FOREVER~~or seems that way!! Gonna watch it right now. . . .thanks to you and your thoughtfulness.

[RebelVoDKa]

Ignore those saying this film was banned in the UK. A quick search of the British Board of Film Classification's website will prove that it was passed uncut on 16/5/1973 with an A certificate, equivalent to the modern PG. 

[Klendathue]

Wow, I've been looking for this movie for 20 years, and it is now right here on Youtube! I haven't seen this movie since the 1970's.

[locheelad2]

Mar.-July '70, came to Belfast from London, to sing for a 4 piece band "DOLL"S HOUSE", any members watching? Band was mixed religions, had no bothers, I was 18 yrs. Scots-Canadian. One night, I left my best possession, a Gibson Hummingbird, outside all night, street off Shankill Rd., in morning to my surprise, it was still there. Anyplace else, would've been gone in 2 minutes. lol

[irishfreedom32]

It use to be banned in the England even one of the young boy's, who is now living in England, that was in this film was unable to got a copy of it. The lady Jenny Agutter who played as the daughter has only recenly been able to get hold this film. I had managed to get it from the united states for her a few years ago as she is now living in Wales.

[susan120248]

I saw it on BBC when I lived in Northern Ireland! It is not banned.

[AMason8634]

Great movie...I have got this film. It is banned in the UK.

[tomelty]

Thanks. :-)

[suir52]

Thanks so much for uploading this, I've been waiting to see this movie of Jenny's for years, it had a brief cinema release in Ireland, but was banned in Britain and has, to my knowledge,never been shown on tv here. The Belfast street scenes were shot in secret with a hidden camera, all other scenes in Dublin and the final scens in the Wicklow Mountains.