The Clash of the Ash Is an 1987 Irish film written and directed by Fergus Tighe,[1] and starring Liam Heffernan as Phil Kelly, with co-stars Gina Moxley, Vinny Murphy and Alan Devlin.[2][1] The film is set in the early 1980s and centered around the aspirations of a promising hurler, a popular Gaelic sport in Ireland.
| The Clash of the Ash | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Fergus Tighe |
| Written by | Fergus Tighe |
| Produced by | Jane Gogan |
| Starring | Liam Heffernan Gina Moxley Vinny Murphy Alan Devlin |
| Edited by | Jimmy Duggan |
| Music by | The Pogues, various |
Production company | Circus Films |
Release date | 1987 |
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | Ireland |
| Language | English |
The Clash of the Ash was produced by Circus Films and funded by Bórd Scánnán na hEireann and RTÉ.[3] It lasts 50 minutes and was shot largely in Fermoy, County Cork.[3] The soundtrack includes The Pogues cover of Ewan McColl's "Dirty Old Town".
Plot edit
The Irish Film & Television Network describes it as a story in which the central character Phil is "under pressure from his parents who have decided how his life should proceed, [he] refuses to sit his Leaving Cert. and runs off to London to follow his own ambitions."[4]
According to the Irish Examiner, "the basic script would be familiar to frustrated youngsters anywhere in the world, all of them eager to clear out for the bright lights; the difference here is that the frustrated teenager in this case is a talented hurler."[2]
Reception edit
The Clash of the Ash was critically acclaimed and became a widespread popular success in Ireland.[5][6][7] Time Out described it as a "sensitively portrayed slice of provincial life, which manages to tell its yarn with a great deal of humour and compassion."[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c "Clash of the Ash". Time Out. Retrieved 2 August 2020
- ^ a b "How the Clash showed ’em who's bas". Irish Examiner, 13 September 2008. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
- ^ a b "The Clash of the Ash". Trinity College Dublin. Retrieved 2 August 2020
- ^ "The Clash of the Ash". Irish Film & Television Network. Retrieved 2 August 2020
- ^ Cunningham, Michael. "Visions of a vibrant film industry". Irish Times, 22 July 1987
- ^ Lord, Miriam. "Budding director's Clash Of The Ash is a hit". Irish Independent, 2 June 1987
- ^ Woodworth, Paddy. "Sporting Rebels". The Sunday Press, 2 August 1987