I am from Northern Ireland, so I have to declare an interest in watching this series. After what I felt was a shaky start, I found myself being drawn into the personalities and the events. Episode by episode it seemed to improve. The sets and characterisations were convincing. If there is the odd historical inaccuracy well, this is not a documentary, it is entertainment ... and in that it succeeds.
49 Reviews
Annoying
koatprdns11 November 2020
Beautifully made. But they replaced three perfectly good female characters with three others, while keeping many of the other (male?!) players in situ for season 2. Not only did this complicate and confuse but frankly dissolved my enthusiasm. I think it undermines the story itself, since everything other than the headlines are fictional.
How come they all got Rory McIlroy eyes?
cordenw12 November 2019
Has anyone else noticed ?
I'm enjoying it as a history lesson that was never even mentioned in school when I was growing up in Liverpool. Strange, because half the population was Irish (as was my own Grandmother).
Strange too, because it's only now that I'm learning that the English aristocracy treated the peasants in much the same way as they treated the natives in their colonies.
We in Liverpool were too busy trying to eke out a life to be concerned with what was going on in the rest of the dominion. But as I get older and see what mentality drove that same aristocracy, then I have no boundaries for my distaste for them.
First of all they take all of the land, then they take all of the resources the land has to offer, then they sequester the crops, then they charge rents for the properties they've stolen.
You want more?
They call you up to fight their battles for them.
Even that's not enough, they lay ownership to all of the wildlife, birds, beasts, fish and fowl, and pass laws that allow for beatings and execution for any transgressions. Then they turn their attention to the winsome young lasses who grow up in the villages and decide that they should have the right to be the first one to screw them if they so desire.
All of this without a peep of protest to be countenanced............ no wonder the peasants got mad and rebelled.
It's not stellar stuff but it's interesting enough to keep you watching.
I can't get over how I've suddenly realised that there is something that can be called an "Irish" face.
Even that's not enough, they lay ownership to all of the wildlife, birds, beasts, fish and fowl, and pass laws that allow for beatings and execution for any transgressions. Then they turn their attention to the winsome young lasses who grow up in the villages and decide that they should have the right to be the first one to screw them if they so desire.
All of this without a peep of protest to be countenanced............ no wonder the peasants got mad and rebelled.
It's not stellar stuff but it's interesting enough to keep you watching.
I can't get over how I've suddenly realised that there is something that can be called an "Irish" face.
Full of fervour, but lacks coherence
mgumsley17 February 2021
Rebellion is a worthy attempt to place the Easter Rising of 1916 and the later rebellions involving the key figures of Michael Collins and Eamon de Valera in a historical context. The arrogance of the British and the keen nationalism of the Irish is depicted with great vigour. The support of the Americans in the Irish uprising is also a vital component. What the series fails to display is the lack of planning in carrying out the rebellion against the British rule, and as a result the programme as a whole lacks coherence. This was particularly obvious in the first series where the Rebellion appeared to be little more than an attempt to take over Dublin Castle.
First class acting, matched by beautiful sets - the Dublin of 1920 is shown as a city where British hedonism is counter balanced by the relative poverty of the Irish - makes a strong visual statement, and the harsh handling of both rebellions by the British Government makes one understand how Eire eventually became a republic.
First class acting, matched by beautiful sets - the Dublin of 1920 is shown as a city where British hedonism is counter balanced by the relative poverty of the Irish - makes a strong visual statement, and the harsh handling of both rebellions by the British Government makes one understand how Eire eventually became a republic.
Superb emotional rendition.
alanmowle17 November 2016
I am 85, I was not there, but met Irish (Republic) people in 1949 in Bradford UK, who had relatives alive and emotionally in this historic event. I was 18 (and from a small community) I was forever imbued by the emotions I witnessed, and the varied descriptions. The programme literally had me saying prayers, I was captivated, excited and horrified with the poverty depicted, which I was personally familiar with, being moved about during the WW11. This is a highly enthralling programme, I was very disappointed to learn that episode 5 is the last one. For me the realism was total, the emotions entirely believable. Casting and acting magnificent. I watched the 5 episodes on Netflix.
Another Anachronism
sregnault18 April 2016
Warning: Spoilers
There is a shot of the GPO being bombed at the end of episode 3. You can hear aircraft flying over, and the subtitles read "Flying Aircraft." now off course they had aircraft, but none that would sound like that, and none that would drop bombs. Also, can anyone tell me if aircraft were even deployed to the Easter Rising?
All in all a very enjoyable show. Apparently, according to a few Irish reviewers, it didn't do the Rising justice. I definitely sympathize. It was spread a little thin, trying to cover a dozen relationships and character developments. But for someone who knows less than i should about Ireland, it was very intriguing and got me reading. I did find the acting and script impressive at times. It would have done much better cutting a character or two, looking more at the intrigue and scale of the thing, all spread over going for 8 or 10 episodes.
All in all a very enjoyable show. Apparently, according to a few Irish reviewers, it didn't do the Rising justice. I definitely sympathize. It was spread a little thin, trying to cover a dozen relationships and character developments. But for someone who knows less than i should about Ireland, it was very intriguing and got me reading. I did find the acting and script impressive at times. It would have done much better cutting a character or two, looking more at the intrigue and scale of the thing, all spread over going for 8 or 10 episodes.
Fantastic Mini Series on the Birth of Ireland as a nation.
t-dooley-69-38691622 May 2016
I saw this on Netflix and it starts in 1914 where we meet a group of Dubliners, some of whom are still loyal to an ever distant British Crown and others who are confined by the bonds of a colonial power that has abused and neglected its closest colony for hundreds of years – rebellion is in the air.
This has many of the real people at the time being portrayed including Padraig Pearse and James Connolly to name but two. But it is really told through the eyes and experiences of three women – a touch I liked very much. We have five succinct episodes that chart the road to the 1916 uprising and the consequences and I have to say I thought it was excellent.
Now there are some critics who say this is a trivialised account by the state owned RTE television company and as such has airbrushed a lot of the important details. It may well have done but there is still enough here to give a real flavour of what the times were like.
It is a big budget affair too with some stellar performances including Brian Gleeson and Ruth Bradley but no one does a bad job at all. I loved the period detail and the use of Gaelic in parts added to the authenticity and made me realise my Gaelic is sorely rusty. The action scenes are excellent too with all the tense atmosphere and raw emotion pouring off the screen. Historical licence aside this is still an ambitious and well realised TV series. My only real complaint is I wanted it to go much farther and would love a second season or maybe even a third – truly recommended.
This has many of the real people at the time being portrayed including Padraig Pearse and James Connolly to name but two. But it is really told through the eyes and experiences of three women – a touch I liked very much. We have five succinct episodes that chart the road to the 1916 uprising and the consequences and I have to say I thought it was excellent.
Now there are some critics who say this is a trivialised account by the state owned RTE television company and as such has airbrushed a lot of the important details. It may well have done but there is still enough here to give a real flavour of what the times were like.
It is a big budget affair too with some stellar performances including Brian Gleeson and Ruth Bradley but no one does a bad job at all. I loved the period detail and the use of Gaelic in parts added to the authenticity and made me realise my Gaelic is sorely rusty. The action scenes are excellent too with all the tense atmosphere and raw emotion pouring off the screen. Historical licence aside this is still an ambitious and well realised TV series. My only real complaint is I wanted it to go much farther and would love a second season or maybe even a third – truly recommended.
Shoddy storytelling in nice historical setting
vertellerpaul27 December 2019
The series gives a nice view of the age, has great sets, costumes, props and is historically accurate enough. It's not clear enough, though, to give a clear, documentary understanding of this chaotic period of Irish history. Locations, abbreviations, titles and such are given without explanation or context. Events are given in chronological order, but the story skips along the timeline, missing important connections and events.
Unfortunately the storytelling is not good enough to make it an interesting drama, either. The individual story arcs are predictable, cliche, and very limited in scope. Character arcs are largely individual and hardly ever linked to others'. Some seem to be entirely unnecessary to tell the story. There are way too many missed opportunities for true, engaging drama.
Accuracy isn't entirely there, but the feeling of the era is certainly there
ghatbkk20 May 2018
The most important things to know about the Easter Rising were that it marked the return to violent rebellion in Ireland and the way that the English dealt with it started the turning the sympathies of the Irish at large against the English and the idea of home-rule as part of the Empire. Those two things are very well demonstrated in Rebellion, from the brutal dealing of the British military with both the rebellion and Irish civilians, the complete lack of due process for those arrested and executed, creating martyrs and setting the stage for the War of Independence and the Irish Civil War.
Rebellion
surfteach29 June 2016
Warning: Spoilers
When I saw the ad for this series, I was hopeful that it would do a good job with an incredibly interesting piece of Irish history. Being Irish/American, I have visited Ireland 10 times and I am a keen student of Irish history. I have been to all of the locations where the 1916 rebellion occurred and stood in the jail cells and at the location of the executions. I also attended a lecture tour by a Trinity College professor through the streets of Dublin including Glasnevin Cemetery where I met the grandson of one of Michael Collins assassination squad members. So I find it remarkable how people can make a picture like this and choose to rewrite the history in ways that do little to enhance the story, when the actual story is more interesting. An example is the story of Elizabeth O' Farrell . Her real story is much more interesting than the distorted soap opera they made of this remarkable woman. There are some saving graces in the series such as the very fine acting by Brian Gleeson, Charlie Murphy, and Barry Ward to name a few. There was also some effective use of the actual locations in Dublin. The combat scenes were well done and at times very powerful. However, too much of the narrative was spent on meaningless story lines like the wastrel brother of Elizabeth or the pregnancy of May, while diluting the most important elements of the actual story. People like Eamon DeValera and are poorly fleshed out and many of the other principal leaders are left out for the sake of tedious love stories and other inane side stories. They had five episodes to portray one of the most important events in modern Irish history and all they made was this glossy soap opera. The film Michael Collins which also contained historical inaccuracies was a much better effort, helped I suspect by having an Irish director. Better luck next times guys with this story.
This is not a documentary !
rogjulzcollins19 August 2021
Great series, watched it 3 times.
Will make those who know nothing about Ireland in the 20 th century want to do more research.
The conflict between the brothers, British soldier v freedom fighter, was close to home.
Can't wait to see series 3.
Will make those who know nothing about Ireland in the 20 th century want to do more research.
The conflict between the brothers, British soldier v freedom fighter, was close to home.
Can't wait to see series 3.
A Tale of Two Seasons
SeamusMacDuff11 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Rebellion
Season one tells the story of the Irish Easter Uprising of 1916 revolving around a small group involved in various aspects, particularly "Three Little Maids" of Lizzie Butler - a medical student and daughter of a wealthy Protestant banker and his Catholic wife (GOT alums) who secretly supports the IRA, Frances the uber dedicated IRA supporter and an "orphan bastard", and May who works in Dublin Castle and is having a complicated affair with her British boss. Another focus is the Mahan family. Arthur is a British soldier back home on leave from WWI who is ordered to put down the rebellion and his native Irish. His brother Danny is another fervent IRA member pulled romantically and otherwise to Lizzie. He lives with Arthur's wife and family including teenage tart Minnie. Rounding out the main cast is a caricature as wastrel son Harry Butler, and Lizzie's fiancé an English officer also back on leave with plans for to be wed.
There are several historical figures as well including Patrick Pearce, Eamon deValera and Michael Collins. The show gives a pretty good overall depiction of the Uprising, if not 100% historically accurate. It's well set and well acted, although Danny doesn't quite carry his weight.
It has a strong allegory to the Uprising as part of women liberation and the suffragette movement to come. Lizzie does it all: near doctor and IRA aide who spurns her fiancé the morning of her wedding (no one gets married on Easter) to spend the rest of the rebellion (and imprisonment) in her wedding gown, running off with Danny. The mannish Frances is nearly psychotic in her IRA support, saying how the Rebellion truly put her in charge of her life. That and, as May pointed out, killing someone. May's story is the most complex, as her affection appears to be returned in kind until we meet her boss' ice-beyotch wife and is forced to live with her for a time. This then gets particularly soapy, in a pregnancy/want the baby angle. In the end she too triumphs trading baby literally for advancement. The men mostly end badly: dead, disgraced, or shipped out.
Season two starts as if no further season was planned, jumping forward four years into the Irish War of Independence. Few of the characters are carried forward, most without any explanation including the three "maids" of season one. Only Danny, Harry (now running the bank), and Minnie are still around. It's rather jarring, and part of why this season takes time to get going. Danny is put in charge of IRA counterintelligence, to find and eliminate English spies among them. He flies around Ireland like, as another reviewer put it, Batman in his flowing coat solving IRA "rats". Miss Sweeney, a savant with a head for codes, is a key new principle operating from Dublin Castle. Her turning using her illegitimate small son as leverage is a main thread. There's an American senator covertly supporting the IRA who seems to be whatever he needs to be to advance the plot, working with Harry's wife. There's also another Mahan brother as a Black & Tan expected to keep the peace among his native Irish through brutal means. The plot does keep you guessing about who knows what and who's on what side. The latter can change quickly, or be both. The season ends with the Treaty that gave Ireland some autonomy, but immediately led to the Irish Civil War. Perhaps a season three will get the viewer through that.
All in all, entertaining and worth watching.
There are several historical figures as well including Patrick Pearce, Eamon deValera and Michael Collins. The show gives a pretty good overall depiction of the Uprising, if not 100% historically accurate. It's well set and well acted, although Danny doesn't quite carry his weight.
It has a strong allegory to the Uprising as part of women liberation and the suffragette movement to come. Lizzie does it all: near doctor and IRA aide who spurns her fiancé the morning of her wedding (no one gets married on Easter) to spend the rest of the rebellion (and imprisonment) in her wedding gown, running off with Danny. The mannish Frances is nearly psychotic in her IRA support, saying how the Rebellion truly put her in charge of her life. That and, as May pointed out, killing someone. May's story is the most complex, as her affection appears to be returned in kind until we meet her boss' ice-beyotch wife and is forced to live with her for a time. This then gets particularly soapy, in a pregnancy/want the baby angle. In the end she too triumphs trading baby literally for advancement. The men mostly end badly: dead, disgraced, or shipped out.
Season two starts as if no further season was planned, jumping forward four years into the Irish War of Independence. Few of the characters are carried forward, most without any explanation including the three "maids" of season one. Only Danny, Harry (now running the bank), and Minnie are still around. It's rather jarring, and part of why this season takes time to get going. Danny is put in charge of IRA counterintelligence, to find and eliminate English spies among them. He flies around Ireland like, as another reviewer put it, Batman in his flowing coat solving IRA "rats". Miss Sweeney, a savant with a head for codes, is a key new principle operating from Dublin Castle. Her turning using her illegitimate small son as leverage is a main thread. There's an American senator covertly supporting the IRA who seems to be whatever he needs to be to advance the plot, working with Harry's wife. There's also another Mahan brother as a Black & Tan expected to keep the peace among his native Irish through brutal means. The plot does keep you guessing about who knows what and who's on what side. The latter can change quickly, or be both. The season ends with the Treaty that gave Ireland some autonomy, but immediately led to the Irish Civil War. Perhaps a season three will get the viewer through that.
All in all, entertaining and worth watching.
Reasonably entertaining, but many inaccuracies
thesbrian11 April 2016
It's an entertaining story, but it feels like the characters are stereotypes, not real people. Perhaps more grating is the fact that inaccuracies and anachronisms abound. The time is 1916, but there are several terms used which never appeared in English at the time. The character of May uses the term 'brainwashed', which first appeared - in the US - in the early 1950s during and after the Korean War; an apparently British character says 'lootenant' when the correct British pronunciation is 'leftenant' (for some mysterious reason, but that's another discussion). When giving absolution, the priest uses 'Holy Spirit', which only came into use after Vatican II around 1963; 'Holy Ghost', was the term used by Catholics until that time. These are just the things that jumped out at me in the first two episodes.
Tough going
kieranroberts4 October 2018
Good acting and they've done a good of recreating 1916 Dublin but God this is slow paced, humourless and dull. I know a mini-series about the Easter Rising is never going to be a barrel of laughs but watching this was a tedious slog.
Historical analysis is missing, but still a lovely production
margot19 October 2021
This is a very pretty, but confused telling of the 1914-1922 period in Ireland. There are too many characters who look and talk the same, and have little to distinguish them.
More significantly, we are given no idea that in the decades leading up to 1914 there actually were three different factions in Ireland with regard to the country's membership in or relationship to the United Kingdom:-
-The Unionists, who regarded Ireland as 'West Britain' and wanted no autonomy for Ireland at all.
With regard to the last, it's notable that this TV series leaves out the essential fact that rebellion in Ireland was initiated not by the Republicans but by the Unionists.
In 1914, just before Home Rule was to be put in effect, Unionist officers in the Curragh Barracks in Dublin declared themselves in defiance of the British government and readied for armed revolt. This so-called Curragh Mutiny was defused by the outbreak of the Great War. But it's crucial to know that it was senior British officers in Ireland, not Republicans or Home Rulers, who first rebelled and set the stage for the civil wars that followed. Without this backstory, the events set forth in 'Rebellion' really make no sense.
More significantly, we are given no idea that in the decades leading up to 1914 there actually were three different factions in Ireland with regard to the country's membership in or relationship to the United Kingdom:-
- Home Rule campaigners: they were the dominant political movement in Ireland. They looked to have the Irish Parliament reestablished in Dublin, as it had been prior to 1801. This initiative was finally passed by the Parliament in Westminster in 1913-1914, and would have been put in force had it not been for the outbreak of war in August 1914.
- Irish Republicans, or so-called Fenians: this was a small but vociferous minority that sought withdrawal from the UK and a total break from Great Britain. Unlike the Home Rulers, the Republicans preached armed revolution. ('Rebellion' suggests that this was the main independence faction in Ireland, but it most certainly was not.)
-The Unionists, who regarded Ireland as 'West Britain' and wanted no autonomy for Ireland at all.
With regard to the last, it's notable that this TV series leaves out the essential fact that rebellion in Ireland was initiated not by the Republicans but by the Unionists.
In 1914, just before Home Rule was to be put in effect, Unionist officers in the Curragh Barracks in Dublin declared themselves in defiance of the British government and readied for armed revolt. This so-called Curragh Mutiny was defused by the outbreak of the Great War. But it's crucial to know that it was senior British officers in Ireland, not Republicans or Home Rulers, who first rebelled and set the stage for the civil wars that followed. Without this backstory, the events set forth in 'Rebellion' really make no sense.
Good Irish Whiskey in a Broken Glass
perth709 August 2022
Superb cast and production value, with adequate direction severely undermined by character and plot disconnects between the two seasons. Why in heaven's name were more than half the strong players and storylines of season 1 disgarded for season 2? Pivotal, well drawn characters simply disappeared into an Irish fog. Obviously some producer or writer decided to fix what was not broken. Nevertheless Gleason is marvelous carrying the the disjointed storyline through the final season.
Fantastic period drama
sarahmarianwhitmore18 July 2016
I loved this series. Highly addictive, compelling with some amazing tension throughout. Brilliantly written and superb acting throughout. As someone who's not particularly academic I've always struggled to learn about history the conventional way, through books, so am always grateful when TV teaches me something new. This series had my scurrying to the history books afterwards to find out more. The characters were all really easy to identify with and there was a much more realistic representation of the lower classes than is usual in period dramas. There was some wonderful dialogue-free sequences throughout the series which were just mind-blowingly good. I cant wait for season 2.
Easter Rising : A Victory for Feminism
crwdennis-cd7 May 2020
I quite enjoyed this, it felt quite immersive and gave you a sense of the time period, good locations, costumes etc. Also gave a variety of different perspectives - rich and poor, Catholic and Protestant, pro and anti-British.
Amazing to me though how there's never any attempt at objectivity in these shows, the British always have to be portrayed as thuggish and pointlessly evil. To prop up the identity of these smaller countries. Just like Kesari which I watched a few weeks back about the Sikhs defending British India against Muslim tribesmen - had the British officer calling Indians 'cowards' for no good reason.
And there was the feminist angle. What was the point of the Easter rebellion again? Well it was because men have always told women what to do, and joining the rising meant freedom for women..or some such.
identity politics is truly bizarre.
Amazing to me though how there's never any attempt at objectivity in these shows, the British always have to be portrayed as thuggish and pointlessly evil. To prop up the identity of these smaller countries. Just like Kesari which I watched a few weeks back about the Sikhs defending British India against Muslim tribesmen - had the British officer calling Indians 'cowards' for no good reason.
And there was the feminist angle. What was the point of the Easter rebellion again? Well it was because men have always told women what to do, and joining the rising meant freedom for women..or some such.
identity politics is truly bizarre.
Character relationships made this a great series
kathy_anne_harris23 April 2016
I quite enjoyed this mini series and look forward to another season. It started slowly and the characters were a little wooden but soon got interesting until I couldn't wait to watch more and missed out on sleep! It all looked very good - costumes, hair and sets but it seemed a little like a student play with freshly made costumes until the action started. The relationships got more complicated as the series developed and that saved the show from being a boring historical drama. The main actors were great. Loved the Liz wears her wedding dress the whole series! Surprised to discover Brian Gleeson is only 28. His perpetual frown made him look so much older.
Eye opening period drama.
WarMovieCollector6 July 2020
So I caught this tv series via Netflix. Very interesting period drama about the Irish revolutionary period. I've seen both Seasons. Season 2 was my favourite, it started to pick up for me in terms of storytelling pacing. The background score is good. It captures the emotion, sacrifice and the toll of the revolution perfectly.
Fantastic Series, Excellent Cast
shanemckernan4 July 2021
Cannot comprehend how I'm 5 years late finding this series. Diverting from the usual republican leaders, it was delightful viewing how others contributed towards the Irish rebellion. Little did we think, 100 years later, our island would still be divided. Great show, highly recommend.
Season 2 needs Cliff Notes
mardimckinley28 December 2021
Season 2 is a mess
generic230-18 January 2023
Season 1 was well written, well acted and because it has the frame of the 1916 rebellion there's plenty of natural tension driving the story.
Season 2 starts out with people we don't know bluntly telling us the plot points and drives of the characters. There's no subtlety at all. The tension in this season is the personal problems people need to solve that have nothing to do with the original story of the Easter Uprising.
I understand they may not have been able to get the original actors from season 1, so I can't fault them for that. But, I was hoping this season would be about the repercussions of the 1st season's actions by the characters.
I just believe the writing and the plot are much weaker in Season 2.
Season 2 starts out with people we don't know bluntly telling us the plot points and drives of the characters. There's no subtlety at all. The tension in this season is the personal problems people need to solve that have nothing to do with the original story of the Easter Uprising.
I understand they may not have been able to get the original actors from season 1, so I can't fault them for that. But, I was hoping this season would be about the repercussions of the 1st season's actions by the characters.
I just believe the writing and the plot are much weaker in Season 2.
Irish rebellion very violent
kenaustin-7196428 May 2021
It is a good story, dramatically told.
But, I've read that indepence could have been easily achieved by asking for a public referendum. Freedom could have been achieved bloodlessly.
Also, as someone who knows the scripture of the bible, why was everyone not praying to God? The mother of Jesus is prayed to is in? Explainable.
But, I've read that indepence could have been easily achieved by asking for a public referendum. Freedom could have been achieved bloodlessly.
Also, as someone who knows the scripture of the bible, why was everyone not praying to God? The mother of Jesus is prayed to is in? Explainable.
Compelling drama
mlfc-876104 February 2020
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