Knuckle
2011 Directed by Ian Palmer
Synopsis
An epic 12-year journey into the brutal and secretive world of Irish Traveler bare-knuckle fighting. This film follows a history of violent feuding between rival clans.
Popular reviews
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This is a rough and ready documentary that is more like a narrated home movie than a polished feature documentary. Whilst that may sound like a criticism it’s not, the rawness is perfectly fitting with the material and it feels incredibly candid and honest unlike many more directed documentaries. The story is one as old as time - two families caught up in an endless feud that has been going on so long most can’t remember what the fighting is for - and the documentary captures the futility, pettiness and brutality brilliantly.
It is clearly a labour of love for the director who followed these people for twelve years, capturing a rivalry that impacts on grandfathers and grandsons alike. Although…
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tan crudo como las hostias que se arrean los travelers irlandeses protagonistas de este documental. Un recorrido de diez años que nos lleva desde carnicerías en una cuneta hasta un circo organizado para sacar pasta.
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Judging by the premise I was hoping for a lot more from this documentary. The central characters are what Guy Richie's film SNATCH called "pikeys". These are semi-nomads in England and Ireland. This film is about generational feuds that exist between many clans of these "travelers" (that is what these people are refereed to in the film), and the method they use to settle their differences. Bare knuckle boxing.
I first though of the long time rivalry somewhat close to my location, the Hatfields and the McCoys. I though of how interesting it must be to have a deep rooted hatred of one an entire family, but probably by this point, you wouldn't even know why.
Unfortunately, it really isn't…
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True fighting and bloodshed. True Irish family feud. This is not a film that makes you wanna go out and beat someone up. This is real violence. and it ain't pretty. I definitly loved how this was put together. It wasn't glorifying anyone, but showing true life at its worse and best. The way any real documentary producer should work. Completely neutral. Showing both side of the story, and not leaving out details to favor one side or another. I really enjoyed this.
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This documentary follows the exploits of Irish Traveller clan the Quinn McDonaghs as they feud with (formerly friendly) clan the Joyces.
The fighting has been formalised into organised bare knuckle fights, which are extremely violent and bloody affairs - but carefully adjudicated by referees bought in from other clans, held in surreptitious locations away from their home clans to avoid rioting, and with months of training in advance of each fight, so is presumably a much less violent option than the alternative - which given the passions involved would seem to be outright gang warfare.
The creator stumbled into producing it after being asked to video a Wedding, discovered a crowd of men gambling around the back of the church,…
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The narration is a bit annoying at times, and I found it hard to keep track of what time period was being shown, but overall I found this to be a fascinating watch.
Spanning a twelve year period, the film documents a violent feud between rival Irish clans. Bare knuckle boxing is the choice way to settle their dispute, though it seems like the dispute will never end. Both families are filled with charismatic individuals and the build up to some of the fights couldn't be better. Worth checking out.
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Interesting documentary that exposes the underground world of traveller bare-knuckle boxing, its alright.
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Fascinating and brutal insight into the way of life of the gypo. Them lot don't half baffle me.
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Good documentary examining the world of bare-knuckle fighting by Irish Travelers.
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I guess I'll just state the biggest comment I can make about this film upfront. I liked this film and I don't have any complaints about the film. But at the same time I was not blown away or anything of this degree with the film. It was an entertaining documentary but really nothing more.
I usually watch one movie before going to bed every night. When I finish watching a film I then sleep and let the movie sink in slightly the next day, when I write the review of the film. Throughout the day today I never thought about this film. This film never came up at all when I went through my day. I even talked about…
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tan crudo como las hostias que se arrean los travelers irlandeses protagonistas de este documental. Un recorrido de diez años que nos lleva desde carnicerías en una cuneta hasta un circo organizado para sacar pasta.
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Judging by the premise I was hoping for a lot more from this documentary. The central characters are what Guy Richie's film SNATCH called "pikeys". These are semi-nomads in England and Ireland. This film is about generational feuds that exist between many clans of these "travelers" (that is what these people are refereed to in the film), and the method they use to settle their differences. Bare knuckle boxing.
I first though of the long time rivalry somewhat close to my location, the Hatfields and the McCoys. I though of how interesting it must be to have a deep rooted hatred of one an entire family, but probably by this point, you wouldn't even know why.
Unfortunately, it really isn't…
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Fuckin gypsies.
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A documentary following three Irish travelling clans who compete in bare-knuckle boxing to solve their differences. Taking place over a twelve year timespan, the chronology can be a little erratic at times, but it's an interesting insight into a world I knew nothing about.
After watching this however, you may feel the need to challenge everyone who wrongs you in the slightest to a bare-knuckle brawl (I'm looking at you Starbucks barrista who dares to put whipped cream on my frappucino after I specifically said 'no whip'!) -
Fascinating insight into the world of the Irish travellers, bare knuckle fighting and vendetta.
So, if you're an fan of creative swearing, left hooks, right hooks, old fashioned brawling and blood fueds look no further.