Cast
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Peter McEnery
as Hugh O'Donnell
Susan Hampshire
as Kathleen McSweeney
Gordon Jackson
as Captain Leeds
Norman Wooland
as Sir John Perrott
Richard Leech
as Phelim O'Toole
Tom Adams
as Henry O'Neill
Peter Jeffrey
as Sergeant
Marie Kean
as The Mother
Bill Owen
as Officer Powell
Peggy Marshall
as Princess Ineen
Maurice Roëves
as Martin
Donal McCann
as Sean O'Toole
Fidelma Murphy
as Moire
John Forbes-Robertson
as
Patrick Holt
as
Crew
Director
- Michael O'Herlihy
Reviews
r96sk
Almost good, but <em>'The Fighting Prince of Donegal'</em> just falls short.
It goes through too many peaks and troughs to be classed as enjoyable, but I do like the vibe of the film and the idea of the premise; which begins slowly, hits a purple patch before frustratingly reverting back immediately; quite literally given how the plot 'progresses'.
The casting, meanwhile, is solid if not perfect. Peter McEnery (Hugh) and Susan Hampshire (Kathleen) both do impressive things in earlier 1960s productions <em>'The Moon-Spinners'</em> and <em>'The Three Lives of Thomasina'</em> respectively, but they don't work together here; I sense zero chemistry between them or their characters. Gordon Jackson (Capt. Leeds) is my pick of the rest.
Should've been better. 3*.
Jul 27, 2020
Thematic Analysis
This high-octane Action/Adventure film balances spectacular sequences with character-driven moments. Unlike many films in the genre, The Fighting Prince of Donegal distinguishes itself through a unique visual style and creative action choreography.
Director Michael O'Herlihy brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1966, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Fighting Prince of Donegal took approximately 34 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 110 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 162 minutes long.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 9 months to complete.
- The screenplay went through 14 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The film contains approximately 2084 individual shots.
Historical Context
- In 1966, when this film was released:
- The space race between the USSR and USA was at its height.
- The Vietnam War was becoming increasingly controversial.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Fighting Prince of Donegal shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Shrek, which focuses more on action than character development, The Fighting Prince of Donegal offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Shrek 2 and Shrek the Third explore similar territory, The Fighting Prince of Donegal stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: October 1, 1966
- Runtime: 1h 50m
