The Enigma of Frank Ryan
Synopsis
A sympathetic but searching portrait of Frank Ryan (1902-1944) IRA activist in Ireland, International Brigade Volunteer in Spain and Nazi collaborator in Berlin. Ryan enters a Faustian pact with a Nazi regime he believes will assist in forging a united Ireland. His collaboration is justified by the republican motto: "My enemy's enemy is my friend". But the former radical and internationalist pays a heavy price for this pact. The film raises important questions about collaboration between the IRA and the Nazis in World War II. It opens up a long suppressed debate about Irish neutrality in that war. Drawing upon Ryan’s correspondence and using a rich mix of period archive combined with live action - with a striking portrayal of Frank Ryan by Dara Devaney - the film makers tell a story of tragic proportions and probe the enigma that was Frank Ryan. http://www.enigmafrankryan.com
Details
- Year
- 2012
- Type of film
- Features
- Running Time
- 90 mins
- Format
- HD
- Director
- Desmond Bell 1st Feature
- Producer
- Desmond Bell
- Editor
- Nigel Galt
- Screenwriter
- Desmond Bell/ Peadar Cox
- Director of Photography
- Sam Mitchell
- Production Designer
- Richard Hudson
- Sound
- Sara Lima/ Rob Walker
- Music
- Deirdre McKay
- Principal Cast
- Frank Ryan, Dara Devaney, Helmut Clissman, Wilf Varville, Rosamund Jacob, Mia Gallagher, Hans Hartman, Barry Barnes, Sean Russell, Frankie McCafferty
Genre
Production status
Complete
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Last updated 18th June 2012
