Black '47
Against the devastation of famine-stricken Ireland, a former British Army ranger wages a merciless campaign of revenge against the forces that destroyed his home.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- grim
- visceral
- foreboding
- historical drama night
- irish heritage viewing
What critics said
Critics generally praised the film's gritty depiction of the Great Irish Famine, Irish-language elements, performances, and forceful staging, while noting that its revenge-thriller ambitions could become conventional or politically one-sided.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film frames the Great Irish Famine through a stark revenge-thriller structure with frontier-style pursuit and justice.
Feeney's return and violent campaign against those exploiting famine victims turns private vengeance into symbolic resistance.
The destruction of Irish communities, tenant exploitation, poverty, and British authority are central dramatic forces.
The gritty visual style emphasizes ruined homes, hunger, violence, and the bleak Irish landscape of 1847.
Films like Black '47, and why
The Proposition
historical revenge thriller centered on social injustice, colonial oppression, and a taciturn avenger
The Hateful Eight
bleak period western aesthetics, brutal violence, and morally charged frontier justice
The Wind That Shakes the Barley
politically charged historical drama depicting famine, exploitation, and resistance through grim realism
First Blood
fast-paced historical action drama pairing personal vengeance with national trauma and occupation
Movie Details
- Director
- Lance Daly
- Release Date
- 2018-09-05
- Runtime
- 100 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (341)
Cast
- Hugo Weaving
- James Frecheville
- Stephen Rea
- Freddie Fox
- Barry Keoghan
- Moe Dunford
- Sarah Greene
- Jim Broadbent
- Dermot Crowley
- Ruairí Heading
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, Acorn TV, Sundance Now, AcornTV Amazon Channel, Acorn TV Apple TV channel
- Rent
- Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Black '47 about?
- Against the devastation of famine-stricken Ireland, a former British Army ranger wages a merciless campaign of revenge against the forces that destroyed his home.
- What is Black '47 like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Black '47 as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Black '47 violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Black '47 as graphic.
- What did critics think of Black '47?
- Critics generally praised the film's gritty depiction of the Great Irish Famine, Irish-language elements, performances, and forceful staging, while noting that its revenge-thriller ambitions could become conventional or politically one-sided.
- Which films are like Black '47?
- Films with a similar feel include The Proposition, The Hateful Eight, The Wind That Shakes the Barley, and First Blood.
- How long is Black '47?
- Black '47 runs 100 minutes.
- Where can I watch Black '47?
- In United States, Black '47 streams on Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, Acorn TV, Sundance Now, AcornTV Amazon Channel, Acorn TV Apple TV channel.
