Saint Patrick's Day: 10 Movies That Represent 'Irishness' Best

9. Into The West (1992)

An actor who in recent times has callously spoken out against Ireland's attempt to lure tourists to its shores is one Gabriel Byrne. The Usual Suspects star may appear as the major draw in the Mike Newell presentation, and he probably is, but those performers who unquestionably steal the show are the child actors Ciaran Fitzgerald and Ruaidhri Conroy, who play traveler kids Ozzie and Tito Reilly respectively. It is their poignant, heartfelt and downright likable personas that were the sole reason, Into the West was crowned Outstanding Foreign Family Film at the 1994 Young Artist Awards. Set in modern day working-class Dublin, brothers and settled travelers Tito and Ozzie, along with their newly acquired horse Tir na nOg (Land of the Eternal Youth and Beauty), are overcome by dreams of becoming cowboys, just like those in the movies. When their horse is reclaimed by overzealous police and sold on for showjumping purposes. The young boys decide that they have to get their beloved companion back in order to realise their dreams of becoming cowboys, just like those in the wild west. Supporting roles featured come by way of Star Trek's Colm Meaney, David Kelly as their imaginative grandfather and Brendan Gleeson as an antagonising, excessively brutal police officer. However, despite the array of obvious talent on offer, the highlight for me is with a doubt the soundtrack provided by Patrick Doyle. The Scots man provides a score which adds another dimension to the aura and mystic which transcends this cinematic treat.