Sean O'Casey

The first part of O'Casey's "The Dublin Trilogy". Set in 1920, as the War of Independence rages, "Shadow of a Gunman" is the story of two young men, Donal and Seamus who share a flat in Dublin.

Comedy based on short Sean O'Casey play. John Jo Mulligan finds himself in a situation with which his pious conscience cannot cope. He has spent a night with the cunning seductress Angela. Full of remorse and dreading the ruin of his reputation, he tries to get rid of her, fearing that his pal Halibut or his landlady Miss Mossie might get to know. Angela sees her chance, turns gold-digger and does not leave before relieving John of a considerable amount of money.

In Dublin circa 1911, John Cassidy (Rod Taylor), an impoverished idealist, whose ambitions are restricted by the demands of looking after his family, journeys through the social injustices of Dublin life, involving himself with the rowdy tramway-men strike, dawdling with prostitute Daisy Battles (Julie Christie), and seeking a better life. He falls in love with bookshop assistant Nora (Dame Maggie Smith) who encourages him toward a life of writing. Finding success at the Abbey Theatre, his unorthodox views estrange him from family, friends, and his own past.

A husband clashes with his wife over his membership to the Irish citizen army during the Easter rebellion.

O filme enfoca os problemas de uma família típica da cidade de Dublin, capital da conturbada Irlanda, na década de 1920. A matriarca é Juno Boyle que, para manter sua família unida, deve "domar" o marido beberrão, o capitão Jack Boyle (Edward Chapman). Mas os esforços de Juno não impedem que sua filha engravide do namorado ou que seu filho mais novo seja baleado e acusado de espião.