In 1921 Dublin, the IRA battles the "Black & Tans," special British forces given to harsh measures. Irish-American medical student Kerry O'Shea hopes to stay aloof, but saving a wounded friend gets him outlawed, and inexorably drawn into the rebel organization...under his former professor Sean Lenihan, who has "shaken hands with the devil" and begun to think of fighting as an end in itself. Complications arise when Kerry falls for a beautiful English hostage, and the British offer a peace treaty that is not enough to satisfy Lenihan.
During the Irish War of Independence, a visiting American honors student finds himself caught in the conflict. He mistakenly believes he is attending a party hosted by a respected English landowner, but instead is drawn into the violent world of Irish Republican Army (IRA) activities. He soon learns the complex and brutal nature of the struggle for freedom.
Shake Hands with the Devil was met with mixed to positive reviews. While some critics praised its dramatic intensity and James Cagney's performance, others found the film's portrayal of the conflict to be somewhat sensationalized. Audiences generally responded well to the historical drama and its romantic elements.
Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews and their sentiment is not readily available.
None notable.
James Cagney, known primarily for his tough-guy roles, took on a more serious, dramatic role as the IRA leader Paddy O'Connell, showcasing his range as an actor.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources
