Taking Sides: Britain and the Civil War

Taking Sides: Britain and the Civil War follows Michael Portillo as he guides a documentary that reconsiders Ireland's Civil War through the British archive. The film digs into state papers and cabinet memos to uncover how decisions made in London helped shape events on the ground in Ireland. Portillo is joined by historians Gretchen Friemann, Heather Jones, Sinéad McCoole, and Max Hastings, whose expert commentary sits beside documentary footage and transcribed sources. Rather than a straight chronology, the program stitches together archival fragments to reveal how memory, policy, and ideology influenced public perceptions on both sides. It also asks who gets to tell history and why certain documents survive. The result is a careful, evidence-driven portrait that invites viewers to rethink established accounts without spoilers or sensational twists.

Directed by Andrew Gallimore, the film arrived in 2023. It uses British state papers as its core source material, with Michael Portillo serving as Presenter and a panel that includes Gretchen Friemann, Heather Jones, Sinéad McCoole, and Max Hastings.

Box office data for this documentary has not been publicly disclosed and it appears to have had a limited theatrical release. As a niche historical title, it has not reported widely cited earnings or international grosses.

While still accruing attention, the film contributes to the broader debate about how archives shape national memory. By foregrounding official documents in the Irish Civil War narrative, it encourages audiences to rethink the legacies of empire and to consider how archival choices influence contemporary discussions of history.

Critics have noted the documentary's disciplined use of primary sources and its accessible narration. Its central themes include imperial policy, memory, and the contested nature of historical truth. The film favors careful interpretation over sensational storytelling, prompting viewers to weigh evidence, negotiate competing viewpoints, and arrive at nuanced conclusions about a turbulent period.