The Field (1990)
Review by HTQ4
Film:
DVD:

Written and Directed by Jim Sheridan, based on the play by John B. Keane
Starring Richard Harris, Sean Bean, Frances Tomelty, Brenda Fricker, John Hurt, and Tom Berenger

Released by: Artisan
Rating: PG-13
Region: 1
Anamorphic: Yes

My Advice: Rent it

"Bull" McCabe (Harris) is a proud Irishman who has worked all his life on one small patch of land. There's only one little problem...it's not his land. He has worked it so long, he considers it to be his, but it actually belongs to a widow of the village. Unbeknownst to Bull, his son, Tadgh (Bean), along with a strange little man called "The Bird" (Hurt), has been terrorizing this poor woman who lives out away from town. Finally, she has had enough and is leaving the village for good, but she is going to sell her plot of land by public auction and she does not want any of the McCabes to have it. About the same time, an American businessman (Berenger) has come to the village looking for opportunities in the area and is interested in buying the land. The townspeople are behind the McCabes, which could mean trouble for the Yank who's suddenly appeared on the horizon.

This is a very powerful movie. The writing is incredible and all the actors did so well with the accents that in some cases, if you are not really up on your Irish slang, you might just have to (gasp!) stop and think about what they are saying. All kidding aside, with writing this good and a cast this powerful, this movie really couldn't go wrong. Berenger is perfect as the American businessman who is coming in and bringing all the technology of the new world with him. It is very clear that the villagers fear this type of change because of the damage that could be done to their beautiful countryside (not to mention their farmland which is how they make their living).

Harris is exquisite as Bull McCabe (a role that gave him his second Oscar nom). He and Sean Bean create such an interesting dynamic of father and son. The direction is very strong and the cinematography is stunning (not to mention the shots of the Irish countryside).

The DVD is a bitter disappointment, being completely devoid of features, especially in light of the recent loss of Harris. Now, granted, perhaps (like a lot of films), we can expect a special uber-gilded-whatever edition on the horizon and they have a canned appearance by Harris they can use...but somehow I doubt it. Even without a commentary, some interviews with the actors would have been nice--or a conversation with the director. But alas, there's really nothing here. It's a good thing the film is powerful enough to carry along by itself.

And that's why this one stays on the rental list and not on the purchase list. If they get together with Sean Bean and Tom Berenger, record a commentary track that will pay some homage to this film and to Richard Harris, and release it along with some other stuff on a special edition DVD, then I will recommend it as a purchase. But not before.