An Klondike review: Improbable film of the month – in a
good way
Comparisons with the late lamented ‘Deadwood’ are
unavoidable in Dathaí Keane’s new feature
Reviewed by Donald Clarke
Earlier this year, the people behind Slow West received
deserved praise for making New Zealand look like the Wild West on a modest
budget. Ha! Try doing the same thing in and around Oughterard on the money you
get to make an Irish-language drama for TG4.
Dathaí Keane has trimmed his four-part series into a
workable feature for theatrical release. The story is perhaps just a little
cluttered in this format, but the abridged version is still thick with
authentic filth and rich in rough-hewn culture.
The film concerns itself with three Connemara brothers
named Connolly. While in Montana, the boys encounter an old pal who has struck
it rich in the Yukon. He passes on a map locating his claim and they duly make
their way towards the Klondike River.
Upon arrival, they encounter a town in convincing
embryonic state. Pocket emperors impose their will on citizens. Saloons serve
rough booze while immigrants sing ballads to the befuddled prospectors. The
boys do begin making money, but that only triggers tension and disruption (as
money so often does). Jacob Hopkins, the biggest of all the local big wigs,
plots their demise.
Comparisons with the late, lamented Deadwood are
unavoidable. Keane is going for the same sense of a place poised between
anarchy and civilisation. The sound of Irish dialogue reminds us that Canada
was, at this stage, an uneasy coalition of immigrants stumbling their way
towards common purpose.
Galway delivers a very creditable performance as the
outer stretches of the Yukon. (California might have been more of a stretch.)
The theatrical run in Galway will qualify An Klondike in
the race to become Ireland’s Oscar submission for best foreign language film.
Something so ambitious deserves our support.
It is, after all, the most improbable film release this
month. Regard that as a compliment.
An Klondike – International
title
A 2015 Irish production [TG4, Abú Media (Galway)]
Producer: Pierce Boyce, Eileen Seoighe, Brid Seoighe
Director: Dathai Keane
Story: Marcus Fleming
Screenplay: Marcus Fleming
Cinematography: Colm Hogan
Music: Steve Lynch
Running time: 4 episodes x
60 minutes, theatrical release 110 minutes
Story: The Connolly brothers; three Irish emigrants who travel
from Montana to the Yukon during the Klondike gold rush of the 1890’s in the
hope of striking it rich. They reach the town of Dominion Creek where they
become embroiled in a deadly feud with Jacob Hopkins, the man who runs the
town.
Cast:
Tom Connolly - Owen
McDonnell
Séamus Connolly - Dara
Devaney
Pádraig Connolly – Seán T.
Ó Meallaigh
JJ Hopkins – Ian Toner
Jacob Hopkins -
Robert O’Mahoney
Estella Hopkins - Megan
Riordan
Petey McDonagh - Séamus
Hughes
Captain Pat ‘Irish Pat’
Galvin - Ned Dennehy
Skookum Jim - Julian Black
Antelope
Bridget Mannion - Fionnuala
Flaherty
Kate Mulryan - Siobhán
O’Kelly
Belinda
Mulrooney - Bríd Ní Neachtain
Soapy Smith - Michael Glenn
Murphy
Sam Steele - Steve Wall (Stephen Wall)
Father Judge - Clive
Geraghty
El Soo - Chloe Ewart
Chief Isaac – Glen Gould
Michael Dillon – Barry
Barnes
With: Brendan Conroy, Mairtin Jaimsie O’Flatharta
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