Belfast

86%

Tomatometer

336 Reviews

92%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Verified Ratings

BELFAST is a movie straight from Branagh's own experience. A nine-year-old boy must chart a path towards adulthood through a world that has suddenly turned upside down. His stable and loving community and everything he thought he understood about life is changed forever but joy, laughter, music and the formative magic of the movies remain.

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Critics Consensus

A deeply personal project for writer-director Kenneth Branagh, Belfast transcends its narrative deficits with powerful performances and directorial craft.

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Audience Says

Belfast is uplifting in spite of the story's tragic details -- although you might need to listen closely in order to understand some of the dialogue.

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Critics Reviews

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Christina Newland

iNews.co.uk

It's tearjerking, but at times feels like a Hallmark card.

Rated: 2/5

Sep 19, 2024

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Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

Whimsical in the most imaginative sense, their conversations make it very easy to give [Kenneth Branagh] the benefit of the doubt. If the reality was not like this, it should have been.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 7, 2022

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David Stratton

The Australian

The film, with a soundtrack of mostly familiar but appropriate Van Morrison songs, is clearly a labour of love, and the final scenes are immensely moving.

Rated: 4.5/5

Feb 7, 2022

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Amy Smith

InSession Film

It is the mix of that tone and the fantastic filmmaking within it that elevates it from a lovely film to a gorgeous piece of cinematic history that is sure to please all audiences.

Mar 1, 2024

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Juanma Fernández París

El Nuevo Día (Puerto Rico)

While it is admirable how the director achieves all this without relying on superfluous artistic pretensions, the film is not entirely successful in capturing the complexity of the sociopolitical conflict... [Full review in Spanish]

Dec 5, 2023

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Nadine Whitney

Mr. Movie's Film Blog

Belfast is a simple story about complex times. Those looking for a deeply political film will not find it; instead, it is a tender piece about family and place. Branagh’s most personal film is his best in a very long time.

Sep 17, 2023

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Audience Reviews

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Crystal Burchnell Loved the movie, would see it again. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/30/22 Full Review David I think this movie was excellent. It was really well written, a very poignant and moving story and was artfully and beautifully shot. This should have won best picture. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/06/22 Full Review michelle s Such great insight through the eyes of a child. Loved all of the acting and story. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/03/22 Full Review Geraldine The movie was enjoyable, and captured my attention. It was heartbreaking to see what people can do for hatred. In this day as then Hate will never end. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/30/22 Full Review 60's child It had great about historical prejudice and the strength of family and community. It was both sad and hopeful. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/28/22 Full Review M lovely and nostalgic Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/28/22 Full Review Read all reviews

Belfast

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Cast & Crew

Kenneth Branagh Director Caitriona Balfe Ma Judi Dench Granny Jamie Dornan Pa Ciarán Hinds Pop Jude Hill Buddy

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Movie Clips

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Belfast

Belfast: Official Clip - A Lesson on Looting