It’s always fun when we get the chance to check out a Cineworld Secret Unlimited Screening, it’s exciting to go to the cinema and not have a clue what you are seeing, for the Secret Unlimited Screening 14 we were treated to Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast.
From lauded director Kenneth Branagh, and starring an acclaimed ensemble cast, Belfast is a personal and joyful story about the power of memory, set in late 1960s Northern Ireland. At the centre of the film is Buddy, a young boy on the cusp of adolescence, whose life is filled with familial love, childhood hijinks, and a blossoming romance. Yet, with his beloved hometown caught up in increasing turmoil, his family faces a momentous choice: hope the conflict will pass or leave everything they know behind for a new life.
The film opens with us in present-day Belfast before fading out the colour to black & white and taking us back to 1969 and a small street that is about to take a turn for the worse as a moment in Irish history is told from the perspective of Buddy’s family.
I had been dying to see Belfast after hearing the good words that had been said about it and I was hoping that I wouldn’t be disappointed and thankfully I wasn’t. Branagh has brought us a rather delightful and nostalgic film that certainly touches on the emotions of not just the characters but the audience watching as well.
The cast is a delight to watch on the big screen, with Jude Hill in his first feature stealing the screen time as Buddy. Hill is certainly a young actor to keep an eye on and his portrayal of Buddy has you enjoying his perfect performance.
With such a brilliant cast including Jamie Dornan, Caitriona Balfe, Ciarán Hinds and the wonderful Judi Dench this is a film that has a cast that can keep the entertainment flowing throughout the film, there are some lovely moments when all the cast are together that make the scenes shine, such as the time they all go to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in the cinema and tey al comically lean forward in their seats as the car flies off the cliff.
There are also some great moments that bring Belfast out of its darkness, look out for some flicks of colour in scenes that work very well with the cinematography of the film, these moments of colour are a lovely touch that shows that their lives are not always dark with the situation that they are living in. Also, keep your eyes peeled for a nice little Easter Egg for Kenneth Branagh and the MCU.
Belfast is a lovely produced film and an interesting film that is based on true story events from Kenneth Branagh’s childhood. The film also has a great soundtrack with no less than 10 songs by Belfast’s very own Van Morrison that is a joy to listen to.
Belfast gets home release dates
BLU-RAYTM, DVD & DIGITAL ExCLUSIVE BONUS FEATURES:
- Alternate Ending featuring Kenneth Branagh – Commentary with Writer/Director Kenneth Branagh
- Deleted Scenes – Commentary with Writer/Director Kenneth Branagh
- A City of Stories: The Making of BELFAST– Go behind the scenes of BELFAST with cast and crew to learn more about the characters, filming location and Kenneth’s childhood in Ireland.
- Everyone’s Inner Child – Kenneth Branagh, Jamie Dornan, Caitríona Balfe, Ciarán Hinds, and Judi Dench reminisce about their childhoods.
- Feature Commentary with Writer/Director Kenneth Branagh
BELFAST will be available on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital.
- Blu-ray™unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring 6X the picture resolution of DVD, exclusive extras and theater-quality surround sound.
- Digital lets fans watch movies anywhere on their favorite devices. Users can instantly buy or rent.
Belfast, available digitally from 11th April, and on Blu-Ray and DVD on 25th April.
A charming production from Kenneth Branagh
Movie title: BELFAST
Movie description: A young boy and his working-class Belfast family experience the tumultuous late 1960s.
Date published: January 18, 2022
Country: UK
Duration: 1h 38min
Director(s): Kenneth Branagh
Actor(s): Jude Hill, Jamie Dornan, Lewis McAskie, Caitriona Balfe
Genre: Drama
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
