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What are the worst Irish movies ever made?
We think we have come up with the Top 5 but if you have any better or worse ideas, feel free to join in.
From stereotypical views of Ireland in “Leap Year” and atrocious acting and accents in “Far and Away” to the embarrassing tales of “High Spirits” and “A Tiger’s Tale,” there have been some really awful films made about or in Ireland.
Here at Irish Central we’re saved the number one spot for one of the most bizarre movies ever made. “Holy Water” is a tale about a group of men who put Viagra in their town’s water supply. Need we say more?
Here’s our full list of the top worst Irish movies of all time:
Holy Water (2009)
Just a short description of this Irish movie will show you quickly why it got our number one vote. The story centers around the town of Kilcoulins Leap, home of a famous Holy Well. A postman, Podger Byrnes, comes up with a plan to hijack a van of Viagra and sell it in Amsterdam. When the plan goes wrong and Viagra’s makers send in their muscle, the postman and his friends hide the load of Viagra down the town’s Holy Well. You can guess the hilarity that follows.
Far and Away (1992)
Back in 1992 “Entertainment Weekly” spelt out perfectly what was wrong with this Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman epic about venturing into the Wild West in the 1800s. The review read, “Cruise has no edge, no inner fire. He lacks the passionate, volatile qualities that might have expanded the character into something more than a screenwriter’s concoction. … Machine-tooled and weightless — that’s Cruise in ‘Far and Away’. And that’s the movie as well."
This movie is also an example of some of the worst Irish accents and lines in an Irish movie. The most famously bad line from this movie is one of Cruise’s when he says to Kidman’s character, “You're a corker, Shannon. What a corker you are.”
Leap Year (2010)
Guilty of leaving Ireland in the dark ages, “Leap Year” sees Oscar nominee Amy Adams as Anna, a woman desperate to marry her long term boyfriend. She plans a trip to the Emerald Isle for February 29, where traditionally in Ireland women can propose to men.
“The New York Times” got it right when a critic described “Leap Year” as one of the worst movies of the year. The romantic comedy paints modern Ireland as a backward country where a power surge caused by Adam’s Blackberry wipes out electricity for an entire town. The hackneyed love story does little to promote the true identity and lure of Ireland.
The Tiger’s Tail (2006)
Written and directed by Englishman John Boorman, this is one Irish film that belongs on the editor’s floor. Good points start and end with the cast line up, which includes Brendan Gleeson and Kim Cattrall (with a very unconvincing Irish accent).
Gleeson plays Liam, a property developer in Ireland’s economic heyday whose dodgy dealings leave him seeing a double of himself, akin to Macbeth’s ghosts who haunt him for the duration of the film.
High Spirits (1988)
The brilliant Peter O’Toole plays a major role in this movie which does not paint the Irish or Americans in the best light. Stereotypes and an embarrassingly predictable story earned this movie a place on our list.
The movie tells the story of a busload of American tourists who arrive at Peter Plunkett’s Irish castle which he pretends is haunted.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.yuricksl | Mar 29, 2011, 10:37 AM EDT
I think "Leap Year" did indeed stereotype Ireland as well as mis-label large tracts of land and sea. But "worst movie"? My husband will watch anything with Amy Adams in it. Maybe it reminds him of when I was younger and didn't restore my hair color through chemistry... It did make me want to go back. Our last trip must've been 1993 so we missed the big roar of the Celtic Tiger...
Pittsburghkid | Mar 18, 2011, 10:31 PM EDT
Sorry "Far and Away" is not an Irish movie. It starts in Ireland, but is about Irish American outside of Boston. I know you will find this funny, but alot of Irish Americans live outside of Boston, and the large cities. As a matter of fact my family was Republican, and Irish Catholic. The Movie "Far and Away" shows how Irish Catholics were used by the Irish Politician like the Kennedys and Fitzgerlds. Tom Cruise's character in the movies reminds me of tales of my great grandfather. The first of our family to settle in America. In our family tales, he is bigger then life, and dearing.
countycork | Mar 11, 2011, 04:01 PM EST
The comments below are more interesting (although I'll remember not to rent these 5 worst)....wow...some people really take themselves seriously, huh!? I will try to see The Field...and I loved In the Name of the Father, too.
Irishjule | Mar 10, 2011, 09:48 AM EST
I thought Leap Year was entertaining, the scenery was beautiful, and the leading man was handsome. For REALLY GOOD movies, though, The Field is outstanding and I LOVED Waking Ned Devine. The dialogue at the beginning is somewhat difficult to understand, but once past that, it is hilarious. I've seen it twice and probably will again some day. In the Name of the Father and Circle of Friends are also good.
modemo44 | Mar 09, 2011, 04:51 PM EST
The Quiet Man is the worst Irish movie. John Wayne abuses his wife Maureen O'Hara. Among the best, "Cal" and "The Field"
slainte39 | Mar 09, 2011, 01:17 PM EST
roderahara...The movie you are referring to is IRISH JAM. Should have been ISLE OF MAN JAM...as that is where it was filmed. No surrogate for California though.
slainte39 | Mar 09, 2011, 01:06 PM EST
You guys (IMHO) haven't even come close to the worst Irish movies...ever. Try these for size if you can stand them, or find them (they all made it to DVD). 1. CRUSH PROOF-1998-with Darren Healy; 2. DEATH GAMES-2002-with Jason Berry; 3. DEAD MEAT-2004-with Maria Araujo; 4.HOOLIGANS-2004-with Andy Curtis; 5. ISOLATION-2005-with John Lynch; 6. BOY EATS GIRL-2005-with Samantha Mumba. After watching this trash, you will want to nominate FAR AND AWAY, for the best movie...ever. I'm not considering foreign actors accents...that's another issue entirely.
rodgerahara | Mar 09, 2011, 12:46 PM EST
The absolute worst Irish movie is one that is so bad that I thought so little of it that I didn't even take the time to note the name. It's set in a small Irish village where an African-American man (a comedian in real life, I think) saves the village from a developer. I was channel surfing late one night and watched the last few minutes of it while waiting for another movie to begin. Did anyone else ever see it? It's one of those movies that wasn't released - it escaped.
irishtommy | Mar 09, 2011, 10:54 AM EST
I guess I have to agree....Movies are made for entertainment not up for historical value and Political correctness.. spell entertainment. I think I'd go to see Holy Water, a comedy, .
wacomason | Mar 09, 2011, 09:49 AM EST
I have to agree with some of the others I've read. Holy Water actually looks entertaining. The winner of the Worst Irish Movie Ever title is Far and Away. It's just bad. It's not even good enough for me to call it "terrible".
macausheen | Mar 09, 2011, 08:06 AM EST
I think someone is too stuck in reality or has a self-image issue. I don't care if 'The Quiet Man' is not or never was real. It was great fun and I'll watch it again anytime just to get my dose of romantic fantasy. 'High Spirits' was a blast and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a laugh. Anyone who believes its antics are a real portrayal is a fool, though. Haven't seen 'Holy Water' but like 'Ned Devine' it is probably hilarious, too. I would like to see the list of top best Irish movies. Would 'The Field' perhaps be near the top? We go to movies to be entertained which doesn't always mean reality, reality sucks you know. Any vote of mine for best movie would be the ones that I enjoyed no matter the subject. Perhaps the author wants the Irish to be portrayed as gangsters like all these Boston Irish movies these days. Go see the 'Departed' for a good laugh.
bairbre07 | Mar 09, 2011, 05:48 AM EST
Well, isn't this a lovely way to start the morning...bashing! We all have an opinion and welcome to it. So, I will venture mine. Movies are for entertainment. If you want history and accuracy, watch National Geographics or the History Channel. I love The Quiet Man and watch it every St.Patrick's Day. It was been a family tradition to view it after returning from St. James since I was a little girl. Darby O'Gill is wonderful in its child like happy manner. Leap Year was funny and with Matthew Goode advising Amy Adams to put things in the washer, "it'll be grand" was grand.I laughed hard at that male mentality. So..... If you don't like them, don't watch them...and if you do watch them...and you don't like them....don't watch them again. Simple!
historybuff106 | Mar 09, 2011, 12:31 AM EST
Far and Away - good history on the land rush but bad casting. The Quiet Man? Wonderful memory film. My dad was there when it was filmed and the stories he told me about it were absolutely hilarious. This film is for us to relive memories of our family stories. Different ending than the short story. Darby O'Gill and the Little People?! Wonderful way to pass on our Irish legends to our children!!!! You guys are looking at this from a different perspective than I am. I can tell you every cut made in the Quiet Man and and every time it's on the tube. Why? Because my dad and I sat side by side and watched this together - MORE THAN ONCE!!!! Darby O'Gill - Again, watched with my parents and brothers and were told wonderful stories about their lives and beliefs in the "Auld" Country. Also, in release in 1977, first movie my husband and I took our daughter to as a family and every Irishman in Fairbanks, Alaska working on the pipeline was at the movie house with us. Great Treat!!! Wonderful Memory. What about The Informer with Victor McLaughlin? Or Wind That Shakes The Barley? We waited in line for this in San Francisco and every IA that I ever knew was there. All agreed that it was super consiseant with what we were told by our folks. History, memories and legends must be preserved or we will eventually lose our identity. Haven't seen the other 4 films. Too much $$$$ to put out for something with bad reviews. Although I did see Irish Jam on TV and got a big kick out of it. So absurd it was funny!!!
snigggy | Mar 08, 2011, 09:48 PM EST
"Darby O'Gill and the Little People," anyone? How can that not be THE worst?
Irisheteach | Mar 08, 2011, 08:26 PM EST
I enjoyed the trailer for Holy Water!! I think we could all use a laugh right about now:-)
fmcevoy | Mar 08, 2011, 07:27 PM EST
I'm sorry, but I think the worst Irish movie ever was "Darby O'Gill and the Little People." They cast it with Irish Stepin' Fetchits! All the men were lazy drunks; all the women were hardworking and long suffering. Ugh!
GeorgeDillon | Mar 08, 2011, 05:22 PM EST
No one has mentioned "The Commitments"? That was the greatest truckload of garbage I ever wasted six dollars on in a movie theater.
mollycolleen | Mar 08, 2011, 05:20 PM EST
Leap Year was charming but of course, a tad off on the geography. Amy Adams not being able to correctly pronounce the Gaelic name on the bartender was hilarious! The scenery was exquisite so who cares if all the electricity blew? Mathew Goode did a passable job as an Irishman, in my opinion. Why didn't anyone mention "Darby O'Gill and the Little People" with Pet Clarke warbling her Irish lullaby? Now there's a corker, Shannon.
DaveyBoy | Mar 08, 2011, 04:57 PM EST
Tooo funny but I think Far and Away is by far the worst movie ever not once did Tom cruise convince me he is from Ireland and neither did Nicole kidman
Sparklet | Mar 08, 2011, 04:41 PM EST
Leap Year had one of the better non-Irish Irish accents! Compared to Gerard Butler and Tom Cruise, Matthew Goode's accent was pretty good. I could tell he wasn't Irish, but only just.
irishtommy | Mar 08, 2011, 03:54 PM EST
Add "The Quiet Man" a movie made for america in a time when everything was a song and dance routine. Really, a cute movie but pretty unrealistically pretty......Irish men don't all get drunk and fight, and irish women aren't all that tough.
IrishJets47 | Mar 08, 2011, 03:43 PM EST
I like the movie Far and Way thought it wasn't a big movie But the best movies of all is the most classic irish movie of all time is The Quiet Man with has alot of real irish people in this movie are Maureen O'Hara John Wayne who isn't irish but did a hell of a job in this movie Barry Fitzgeald Victor McLaglen Ward Bond and Producer and Dircter by a Irishman who was born and rise in Ireland John Ford. I also have this DVD with I watch offen not just around this time of year.
labadugh | Mar 08, 2011, 03:02 PM EST
I am sorry to disagree with the seemingly popular thread here......but believe "The Quiet Man" was a classic as is Waking Ned Devine.....Love Them...
Whitepark | Mar 08, 2011, 02:57 PM EST
How can you list "The Quiet Man" as one of your worst movies, that was a Classic and still reigns as one of the best today, "Leap Year" I enjoyed very much the Actors were great and the scenery was fantastic.
Sparklet | Mar 08, 2011, 02:49 PM EST
I actually enjoyed Leap Year - ignoring the fact that the heroine took a boat from Wales to Kerry.
silenagig | Mar 08, 2011, 02:46 PM EST
I agree with peterkissel. You need to go back in time a bit to find the worst of the worst. I'd add to his choices Finian's Rainbow -- euggh. And what is that awful one about the lottery ticket winners?
peterkissel | Mar 08, 2011, 02:17 PM EST
You should expand the list to 7 - The Quiet Man and The Field are right up there among the worst ever. Quiet Man for its stereotyping of Irish men physically abusing women and overall stupid plot line, and The Field because of its corruption of John B. Keane's original play.
fromGort | Mar 08, 2011, 02:01 PM EST
I actually liked High Spirits. It was a little campy, and you knew they were making fun of everyone, painting everyone's character with broad stereo-typical paint. Just a good romp.
eileend | Mar 08, 2011, 02:00 PM EST
THANK YOU for giving both Leap Year and Far and Away(or as we call it, 'Opie Goes to Ireland' the derision they deserve). I realize that the concept of geography is beyond Hollywood, but in Leap, they could have at least figured a better way to get them on the wrong coast. Maybe time travel would have handled that pesky 'Ireland isn't like this at all' problem. Although, since it never was... As for Far and Away, how can I count the ways? Let's just go with the Irish rebel being cared for in the bedroom of the Anglo land-owner until he has a duel with the guy's land agent. The only way to watch that movie is drunk, a la MST 3000.
mhichil | Mar 08, 2011, 12:43 PM EST
I like the scenery and weather, most stories have their own agenda.
FGilfeather | Mar 08, 2011, 12:10 PM EST
I enjoyed Far and Away. One of my Jewish colleagues saw it and said that he didn't realize the troubles the Irish people went through.
bronxjames | Mar 08, 2011, 12:06 PM EST
Holy Water doesn't look too bad.
mcgaughrand | Mar 08, 2011, 11:59 AM EST
When i first saw it I said" Far and Away was far and away the worst movie I had ever seen"
okielass | Mar 08, 2011, 11:57 AM EST
C'mon, you forgot "Irish Jam".
brittaniethekid | Mar 08, 2011, 11:51 AM EST
Great article. Actually am about to watch Leap Year for the first time today and while I know it's not going to be an accurate portrayal of the country (and with a Brit playing an Irish man), I think it'll be a cute movie. Also on this list should be P.S. I Love You. I think it's view of Ireland is a LITTLE (very little) more accurate than Leap Year but it always bothers me when they get non-Irish actors to play the Irish (as if there's some kind of shortage of Irish actors or a conspiracy - Gerard Butler and Jeffrey Dean Morgan are handsome and all but their horrible fake Irish accents were distracting).
OrenTruitt | Mar 08, 2011, 11:24 AM EST
I liked 'High Spirits', it was a funny, entertaining romp. 'Leap Year' was cute and very light-hearted. I'll agree about 'Far and Away' being one of the worst. Haven't seen the others so I can't comment. Glad that 'The Matchmaker' wasn't on your list. How about a list of some of the best?
donal1951 | Mar 08, 2011, 11:06 AM EST
I very much enjoyed High Spirits as I took it for what it was, a light comedy to replenish the great Peter O'Toole's bank account. I got it on VHS _ those were the days _ and watched it three times.
eileen murphy | Mar 08, 2011, 10:18 AM EST
I loved leap year and far and away.Now I am going to see Holy water.I laughed so hard!!! The scenes in Ireland were beautiful.These movies motivated me to come to Ireland in Septemebr 2010 for a vacation.I can't wait to go back. I found family members in Ireland that my family in America did't know still lived there.The Murphy's from Castleisland.I wish my grandfather spoke about his relatives left behind but I guess it was a very sad topic.
wuilso127 | Mar 08, 2011, 09:46 AM EST
I'd like to see what AMERICAN-made Irish films ever made are considered to be the worst. Overacting of Irish stereotypes by Barry Fitzgerald or V. McLaglen might certainly be considered as benchmarks for such ratings.
mcdolan | Mar 08, 2011, 09:39 AM EST
I happened to enjoy Far and Away but laughed at Tom Cruise's accent. I thought it was an enjoyable jaunt and look at the American west.