Black '47

In 1847 Ireland stands like a hollowed ruin under the Great Famine as Feeney, a battle hardened Irish Ranger who served with the British Army abroad, returns to a homeland that feels foreign. He hopes to reunite with his family and find a measure of peace, but the country has already moved on without mercy. The land is scarred by hunger, disease and a climate of suspicion where friends turn on each other for scraps, and violence answers every grievance. Feeney must navigate ruined towns, shadowy loyalties, and the constant threat of ambush as he searches for a way to protect those he loves. Along the way he crosses paths with Hannah, Conneely, and others whose fates intertwine with theirs.

Directed by Lance Daly, Black 47 is written for the screen by Pierce Ryan, P.J. Dillon and Eugene O’Brien. The Irish historical drama showcases Daly's grounded, character driven approach to a brutal famine era and was released with festival play.

Box office details for Black 47 were modest, reflecting a limited release and niche subject matter. It performed best in Ireland and European markets, with arthouse following that appreciated its stark portrayal of famine era conflict. Its themes linger afterward.

Critics have praised the film for its unvarnished mood and the way it centers Feeney's difficult choices against a grim historical backdrop. It examines loyalty, the costs of violence, and the toll of colonial conflict on ordinary families, delivering a morally complex portrait of survival among viewers and scholars alike.

The film adds to discussions about memory and national identity during Ireland's famine era, presenting a gritty counterpoint to more sentimental stories. By focusing on a returning veteran and local power struggles, it challenges audiences to consider how communities endure, adapt, and resist in the face of catastrophe today worldwide.