The Hanging Gale

Excellent period piece. Story of the strife and politics that Irish families suffered in the wake of the famine. People are poor, starving; crops are failing. Folks had little to no income to afford their rents or buy food. Not exaggerated or embellished, the story follows one particular family's struggles in parallel with an English "management" replacement (played superbly by Michael Kitchen). Kitchen's character at the outset of his arrival in the village only sees the issues from his role as the manager for the owner of the farms; while the families in the local village see him only as the "outsider" and "enforcer" of the landowner's wishes. Over time and as events unfold, he comes to feel empathy for the families and struggles with his own feelings of loyalty to his position and the plight of the villagers.

It is easily understood why the Lords of England were hated by the Irish. This tells only a small part of the story and as awful as it is, it is still not awful enough. Thousands of families died from starvation. This production is very good. The script is good, the acting, the scenery. Everything about it was 5 star.

Until viewing this superb albeit very dark and bloody BBC presentation of "Hanging Gale", I had NO idea of the plight of the Irish in the mid-1800s. This presentation dwells primarily on the struggles of the Phelan family and mainly about the four brothers as played wonderfully by real life brothers, Paul, Stephen, Joe and Mark McGann--who are very rugged and very handsome; with one brother being a rather emtionally torn priest and all of them prone to violence and not above committing murder. The brothers are trying to deal with the devastation of poverty, starvation, crop failure, etc. (along with some of the dreariest weather that I've ever seen on film) that is happening to their family and friends and, of course, that meant dealing with Captain Townsend as played greatly by Michael Kitchen who is a rather "mild-mannered" agent for the absent and without a clue land owner. This 2 disc (two episodes on each disc) mini-series is greatly acted and directed. I certainly now have more knowledge and understanding of what happened to the Irish during the time being depicted.Be advised that this is no cushy "Hallmark" presentation. It is a very harsh and realistic presentation that never lets up from its depiction of some very grim times. If you love good drama that will leave you weak in the knees from emotional exhaustion, buy these DVDs.

This is an excellent program, but where are parts three and four? This was a four part mini series and Amazon has included only the first two parts, omitting the final two episodes. Why?

The Hanging Gale tells the story of how the Irish Potato Famine effected one family. Based on events that occurred in the McGann Family, who left Ireland and settled in the area of the docks in Liverpool, England. Well acted by the McGann brothers and Michael Kitchen.

This series captures a vital moment in Irish history and gives a greater understanding of the ancestral trials I wished to know more about. Performances are pithy and the writing is uncontrived. I wish there had been more seasons.

i'd give the movie 4+ stars because i came away from it with a sense of having been there. This film may idealize the characters a bit, but maybe not. Outcast, wet, ruined, desperate and dying though they were, there is an undercurrent of triumph - principles and compassion didn't quite die in the fight - it's not an entertaining film as such, but i think i've added to my appreciation of the place and time of that potato famine ... and the smell of rotting potatoes. Even though it is a common story in the history of the human race - poor, tired and hungry with nowhere to turn, i'll watch it again on an inevitable snowed in winter day ahead expecting to learn more. Michael Kitchen seems to craft his characters with a soul of their own - if there's a "people watcher in you," you'll find his portrayal of Captain Townsend interesting.

enjoying not only the story line but this is where my ancestors are suppose to be from and I love the lead star..he also does a wonderful job as Foyle in another show.

I am extremely disappointed with the purchase. It was not made clear that it could only be played on a blu ray or multi media unit......neither of which I have!!I would like to be able to return this item for a refund........this drama was a British BBC production so what it's doing coming from the states is a mystery. Full refund please.

The brothers McGann were exceptional to watch with kudos all round. The writing is superb with honest, heart-breaking detail about a very hard time in Ireland's history and the cinematography is striking.

I had seen part of an episode years ago and was happy to find it on DVD at Amazon. It was a realistic and beautifully filmed representation of the causes and consequences of the starvation and emigration of millions of Irish during the middle of the 19th C. And a subject that should be required reading or viewing for any serious student of history or, for that matter observer of contemporary population displacement.

Based on the historical events of the Great Irish Famine - unbelievable mini-series.