I first saw this film when I was 11, and even then I much admired it. Have seen it I don't know how many times since, and my original feelings re. this flick have only intensified.First off, many contemporary folks, in and beyond the West, know far too little about the Irish "troubles." This film brings them home, establishing that despite atrocities on either side, neither held the moral high ground with absolute certainty.Cagney is superb. His accent falters occasionally (although he was an Irish-American). But he nails every facet of his character, from the dedicated doctor and professor of medicine to the IRA commander who descends into fanaticism. Most of the rest of the cast is excellent. Murray is a little, well, not quite at that level, but he still gives a respectable performance --

Up till the time I saw this film I was not much of a Cagney fan. But after seeing this film; and "White Heat," I now understand why Cagney was such a big star.His portrayal of Sean Linahan as a member of the Irish Republican Army brilliantly portrays the thin line between being a dedicated freedom fighter/idealist and a fanatic. Sean Linahan has let hatred take control of his life and he now sees everything through the narrow prism of hate. As a fanatic he operates on an "ends justifies the means basis." Other characters in "Shake Hands with the Devil" are portrayed as men of character, who while fighting for freedom still hold on to their humanity and their compassion.This is very good movie that is very relevant in today's world and can be used as a starting point for a discussion on modern day Islamic Terrorism or any ism in which the ends justifying the means becomes a standard, not an exception.As a period film that seriously addresses mankind's nature, this film will be as current 20 years from now as when it was released.

This is one of the very best films from the tail end of Cagney's career. Unlike so many of his previous films, this movie was entertaining AND had something profound to say as well. The film is about IRA terrorists in the early days of the Irish Republic. Instead of being happy with the gains the Irish made, Cagney's character has been fighting so long he's lost track of WHY and is simply hellbent on murder and killing for its own sake. When other members begin calling for restraint, Cagney wants to escalate the killings until eventually he becomes a liability to the organization. While some times Cagney tended to "chew the scenery" at the expense of the film (i.e., he overacted), this movie actually benefited from this style. An excellent and timeless story.

There are just too many unbelievable things happening in this plot to make it more than an average film. Yet some of the performances, as has been noted by one of the viewers here, are veddy good indeed. Cagney turning nearly as psycho as in White Heat is one, an excellent turn by Dana Winter, and the always always always reliable Cyril Cusack. The lone American Don Murray was somehow always chosen for the peace lover among maniacs. The only time it really worked was in From Hell to Texas, a darned good western by Henry Hathaway. Otherwise he always came off so aww shucks virtuous that he almost needed a black robe and round hat. In fact he once played a priest, also to sickening effect. So earnest. So miscast.And so what, for the movie.However, the woman playing the old rich titled Lady about which the latter half of the plot revolves is also good. And there are spots of the black and white photography of the Emerald Isle, especially some of the night shots that are very nice. But is there a single scene in the entire movie worth re-watching? Not really. With this one, mostly, shake hands with mediocrity.