Five Minutes of Heaven (MOD)

Five Minutes of Heaven is a simple story told in a powerful way. The story begins in 1975 in Northern Island. Young Alistair Little is a member of a Protestant terrorist group. He wants to be a big man. So he goes and kills a Catholic man name James Griffen while a young boy watches. What Little doesn't know is that the young boy is the dead man's brother Joe.

Many years later the older Little (Liam Neeson) tries to repent after leaving jail. His mission to trying to talk people out of joining terror groups. He is trying to save lives and also trying to save himself. A television station wants to tape a meeting between Alistair and the grown up Joe (James Nesbitt). And we see the setting up for the show. Both men are nervous. Does it happen? Well, dear reader, you will have to see the film to find out.

The film is well directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel (Downfall) from a sharp script written by Guy Hibbert. Nesbitt is amazing as the wreck of a man. Neeson is also great in the lower key role. And Anamaria Maranca is good in the small but important role of Vika.

The film didn't play long in theaters. But seeing it on MOD (as I did) or DVD is fine. It was made for British television. The film shows what hate can do and why it is important to stop it before it spreads.