Frank Launder specialisied in intelligent, brisk entertainment and he came up trumps here, expertly navigating his way through the treacherous waters of Irish history. It's set in the nineteenth century Ireland, where nasty Captain Boycott (played by Cecil Parker as a bit of a buffoon) tries to extract much cash as he can out of his tenants, and is willing to use force to do so. But the villagers practice non violent retribution, shunning rather than shooting, leading to the creation of the term "boycott" (a fact which actually provides the last line of dialogue in the movie). (I wonder if Launder was motivated to make the movie by the success of Gandhi.)
Stewart Granger is the star, and he gets to ride around on a horse dashingly, look interesting, and romance Kathleen Ryan. But it's not really a Stewart Granger film - he's just the best looking guy in an ensemble story.
There are plenty of subplots - Ryan's brother died in a fight; her father is willing to move in on land on which someone has been kicked off; Granger tells Ryan and his family they're either with the community or against it; the school teacher preaches anti-English history; the priest preaches non-violence and the powers of Charles Parnell; Boycott brings in help of mass of volunteers. It's all climaxed with a horse race, which seems a bit odd (there was a similar random horse race finale in Swordsman of Siena.)
It's very well done across the board - kind of like an Irish Robin Hood, with the whole community as Robin Hood. Religious conflict is toned down, and it focuses on being a story of injustice. Strong acting - Granger steps up, the support cast is excellent (Ryan makes the girl part more than just "the girl" - she's full of pain and regret) and there's a superb cameo from Robert Donat as Parnell, all fire and brimstone.
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