Jimmy’s Hall On DVD & Blu-ray now

Jimmy’s Hall is a beautifully filmed political drama that contains some of Ken Loach’s finest work to date. It tells the story of true-life resistance leader Jimmy Gralton who is exiled from Ireland in the 1930s after he builds a community hall against the wishes of the powerful local priest.

Director: Ken Loach

Starring: Simone Kirby, Jim Norton, Barry Ward, Andrew Scott, Francis Magee

In 1921 Jimmy Gralton’s sin was to build a dance hall on a rural crossroads in an Ireland on the brink of Civil War. The Pearse-Connolly Hall was a place where young people could come to learn, to argue, to dream… but above all to dance and have fun. As the hall grew in popularity its socialist and free-spirited reputation brought it to the attention of the church and politicians who forced Jimmy to flee and the hall to close.

A decade later, at the height of the Depression, Jimmy returns to Co. Leitrim from the US to look after his mother and vows to live the quiet life. The hall stands abandoned and empty, and despite the pleas of the local youngsters, remains shut. However as Jimmy reintegrates into the community and sees the poverty, and growing cultural oppression, the leader and activist within him is stirred. He makes the decision to reopen the hall regardless of the consequences.

Ken Loach perfectly balances charm, romance and a passionate human story in a film that addresses political issues head on and perfectly showcases the director’s exceptional talent for realism.  It is an important Irish historical document based on a screenplay by Ken Loach and Paul Lavery, who previously collaborated on The Wind That Shakes the Barley.

Special Features: Audio commentary with Ken Loach; ‘Making Of’ feature; Deleted scenes

Cert: 15A

Running Time: 109 minutes

On DVD & Blu-ray now

Watch the trailer here.