Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland is a five-part documentary series made with two distinct audiences in mind, both of whom are not Irish. Produced by James Bluemel, it is set to air on BBC Two in the UK and PBS in the United States. The series primarily depicts the 30-year conflict in Northern Ireland known as the Troubles. The documentary explores the events and circumstances that led to the conflict, from the early civil rights marches in Derry to the Battle of the Bogside, and ultimately to the era-defining Bloody Sunday.
The documentary moves from one perspective to another, giving different accounts of the conflict. Bluemel initially frames the conflict as a sectarian strife, but as the documentary progresses, it becomes clear that the nationalist communities interviewed view the Troubles as a struggle against British imperialism rather than as a question of Catholic versus Protestant.
The stories shared in the documentary are poignant and emotional, striking a chord with anyone who witnessed the conflict. The documentary examines the various aspects of human suffering that occurred in Northern Ireland during the Troubles: the loss of loved ones, the continuing psychological trauma, and the hopes and fears of those who lived through the period.
In one segment, Fiona, a former Miss Derry, narrates how British Army soldiers killed her IRA-member brother and how the army continues to traumatize her to this day. She states, “The British army are mine. They always were, and they always will be. They inflicted terror on me. They traumatised me. That’s what they are to me.”
The series highlights a storied period of Irish history, one that is still fresh in the memories of Irish people despite the decades that have passed. The documentary is a long way from the humor-laden Derry Girls. It paints the picture of a slow-burning tragedy that bludgeoned lives and caused ongoing psychological trauma.
Bluemel is precise in his narration, weaving the story of the conflict by moving from one perspective to another, giving voice to the people who witnessed the historic events. The documentary avoids assigning blame and focuses instead on the tragedy of human suffering that occurred during the Troubles.
The series is reminiscent of the work of documentary filmmaker Adam Curtis, whose works often convey the tone of a story without the reliance on facts. Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland works similarly at moments, moving from the early civil-rights marches to the Battle of the Bogside and ultimately to Bloody Sunday, conveying a sense of rising dread.
The documentary’s mood is stark, with Ian Paisley Sr. recalled as preaching hate and sowing fear. The Ulster Defence Association member James Greer comments on Paisley’s rabble-rousing in the late 1960s, admitting that he saw anyone with an empathetic view of the other side as being as bad as the other.
While there have been countless documentaries on Irish history throughout the decade of centenaries, Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland stands out for setting out the nuts and bolts of the conflict. This documentary endeavors to give a voice to those who lived through bombing, shootings, and other atrocities, ultimately exploring the tragedy of human suffering.
Even those unfamiliar with the Troubles, including many British license-fee payers, will undoubtedly appreciate the poignant nature of the documentary. It is a must-see series for understanding the tragic history between Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the wider world.
