I saw this film when it first came out but after reading two rather diverse but equally recommended books on the subject ("Ten men dead" by David Beresford and "Nor Meekly serve my time" Edited by Brian Campbell, Laurence McKeown and Felim O'Hagen) , I figured I'd like to see it again.The story portrayed in the film echoes the 2nd book in particular so closely at times that I expected to see the three men credited (They were actually H Block prisoners who took part in the protest and hunger strikes themselves). Of course from that perspective it is understandable that some would claim that it tends towards bias or discriminates towards a one sided view on a very complex issue.The reality of the film is that whilst the majority of the characters save Bobby Sands are fictional, many of them, with just a little background reading are recognisable as real life people such as Fr Denis Faul, Bik McFarlane, "The Mounain Climber" and a composite of Gerry Adams/Danny Morrison.It is a charge fairly frequently levelled at Jim Sheridan that he embellishes or takes liberty with factual real events such as in Michael Collins or In America - However, that is usually levelled by someone with an obvious axe to grind or viewing from an opposite perspective. So whilst it is desirable for a good film to document even real facts in an understandable way in less than two hours it is also nice to be entertained and have your curiosity aroused so that you can read further on the subject if you so desire. Some Mothers Son is probably one of these types of movies where the viewer's experience and insight is best enhanced by prior knowledge or at least some background of the events which out of necessity the film is compelled to synopsise and simplify some times.The facts surrounding this turbulent period in Northern Irish history is that after a prolonged "dirty protest" to be recognised as prisoners of war instead of criminals or terrorists, in 1981 the republican H-Block prison inmates embarked on a hunger strike which by the time it had ended some 6 months later had seen ten of them die but more significantly for the republican movement in NI had seen a wider world focus on them and also had seen a new dawn towards the use of the ballot box instead of the Armalite assault rifle as a means to an end by Sin Fein/IRA which 25 years later is culminating in an electorally strong Sinn Fein and a decommissioned largely stood down IRA.All in all therefore, as a pen picture which goes some way towards giving one a basic insight into the Northern Ireland Hunger strike of 1981 it does a good job which is greatly helped by very good performances by Helen Mirren, Fionnula O Flanigan Gerald McSorley and John Lynch in particular. Oh and if the soundtrack sounds vaguely familiar it may be because it is by Bill Whelan of Riverdance fame.

Being interested in what is known as "the Irish question" or "the troubles", I thought this could be a good film to watch, as it is based on true facts. It went far beyond what I expected. I already knew John Lynch as an actor from "In the name of the father", but was greatly surprised by the strength and passion of his acting... I have to admit his character is "the good boy" of the story, whatever your views on the conflict, but he does it really well. The events narrated in the film are quite hard to understand when considered that they happened in 1981, and at the beginning I was tempted to considered the film as good propaganda from the nationalist side. I did a lot of research on the real story, and found out it is as accurate as any documentary would be. Some parts may be hard to understand if not familiar with the context of the film, but it is, however, a moving film. I have to admit I was crying after the first hour of the film, and I'm not the kind that cries easily while watching a film.

Its ashame that more people don't know about this subject. I found this film to be very touching with a very strong moral. Yes the movie is about the I.R.A. and some of its most famous 'soldiers', however, the film touched on who is affected by these actions. I don't agree with the I.R.A but found myself empathetic to the families of the prisoners involved. Despite what the previous poster stated, this movie was pre-911 and touches not on the terrorists acts, but on the consquences of their actions. Helen Mirren was brilliant in this movie, as always. Its not exactley Michael Collins on the subject, and a lot of it was 'glamorized' for Hollywood, but all in all worth watching.

Just watched tonight.. well I thought it was a good movieI understand some of the previous comments and its true I am sure that this is not totally accurate to the events.. but then again.. I have watched probably thousands of british films in my life and I would not say that they are all notable for their accuracy to historical facts!I think helen mirren is so superb as an actress.. any dispute?I think we have got to get past the past... not easy but some are trying to do this. I am british but feel no sense that the british role in ireland has been healthy overall... I now live in ireland and love the place.. I have also worked in the north and in all the years here have never once felt unwelcome for my accent.Its a sad terrible thing that happened over so many years.. anyone who believes there is any black and white right and wrong in this is mistaken in my opinion.. its way too complicated.. maybe there is hope ahead of us now..