The troubles in Northern Ireland. A black British soilder on leave. A kidnapping by the IRA to facilitate an exchange of prisioners. Enemies become friends become trapped in a  cycle of violence. One dies and the other flees to the other country. He is haunted by the past.He wants to make atonement for the death of the one called Jodie. Fergus is a good man and one who knows that the wrong can be righted by seeing Jodies special other in his life. The problem is that Fergus and his past have a far reach and an even further sense of atonement is set in motion. The truth of everything is to leave us all shocked.

The film is excellent and was excellent when released. It has emotional resonance, a superb pairing and a dreamlike quality. I love how playful it is is with genre and with ideas. The world is explored with a tender eye and a soft ear but it never shys away from hard and cold truths. It never pulls punches as other films would and did. For me it is Jordans best film. The gender dynamics, cultural commentary and that sexual resonance still keep in above many of the films of the period. The real question is however, does the film need to be re released and have the BFI done a substantial job on it?

The first is it did need a re release. If only for the newer audience to have such a challenging work back in their view point. Second the BFI do a great job with some excellent extras and a new HD print that takes some of that fuzz from the previous DVD away and gives us the colour pallette that Jordan wanted. It is a treat on a larger screen. I would say it must be in your collection.

Presented in High Definition and Standard Definition

The Making of The Crying Game (51 mins)

Audio commentary with writer and director Neil Jordan

Alternative ending with commentary by Neil Jordan (5 mins)

Northern Troubles (9 mins)

Original trailers

Illustrated booklet with essays by Ashley Clark, Juliet Jacques and Brian Hoyle, and full film credits