The Rising of the Moon is one of John Ford’s most personal films. Shot entirely on location in Ireland with actors recruited mainly from the Abbey Theatre, the film served as a fine showcase for Irish acting talent of the day, capturing the Abbey actors at the peak of their careers, and bringing the work of three important Irish writers
to the world’s stage.

The triptych style, which is by turns contemplative, comic and political includes work by Frank O’Connor, Martin J.
McHugh, and a powerful updating to 1921 of the play by Lady Gregory that gives the film its title.

Notes by Sunniva O’Flynn.