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Action drama

Black '47 (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Black '47 (2018) movie poster

Black '47 is a 2018 action drama directed by Lance Daly, starring James Frecheville as Feeney, Hugo Weaving and Sarah Greene. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and earned $2.1 million worldwide. It earned 2 award nominations, including Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the IFTA Awards 2020. Critics gave it 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.

IMDb rating
6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
78%
worldwide gross
$2.1M
award nominations
2
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Black '47 (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 40m (100 min)
Director
Lance Daly
Genres
Action , Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Black '47 About?

The premise of Black '47 without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

During the devastating years of the Great Famine, a hardened soldier, Feeney, returns to his homeland only to find his family destroyed and the country suffering under British rule. Consumed by grief and anger, he begins a violent quest for retribution against those he deems responsible. However, his path is complicated by Hannah, a former enemy who challenges his intentions and forces him to confront his own sense of loyalty, pitting revenge against the possibility of redemption.

Black '47 Themes & Keywords

· 31 tags
  • british occupation
  • ireland
  • irish history
  • connemara
  • famine
  • revenge
  • deserter
  • british colonialism
  • poverty
  • starvation
  • year 1847
  • irish famine
+19 more
  • severed head
  • british oppression
  • mexican standoff
  • gun fails to fire
  • firing squad
  • ambush
  • death of mother
  • 19th century
  • irish potato famine
  • british empire
  • 1840s
  • color in title
  • number 47 in title
  • apostrophe in title
  • punctuation in title
  • number in title
  • tiff
  • beard
  • bearded man
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Cast & crew

Black '47 Cast & Characters

James Frecheville leads the cast as Feeney, with Hugo Weaving as Hannah and Sarah Greene as Ellie. Directed by Lance Daly; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Black '47

· 6 more
From the director

More from Lance Daly

More films directed by Lance Daly, best-rated first: Kisses, Life's a Breeze, The Good Doctor and Kisses.

Full filmography
Ratings

Black '47 Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Black '47 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in sensory experience (80) and weakest in story & flow (55).

75 /100

Black '47 Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of its balance between genre and historical context, Black '47 excels in creating a potent atmosphere while occasionally faltering in narrative depth. Critics and viewers highlight the film’s assured direction and haunting visuals, yet note that its plotting and character development sometimes feel underexplored. The central performances anchor the emotional weight, even as the revenge-western framework remains familiar. On balance, the film delivers a respectful and engaging experience despite its uneven elements.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    Art & Craft in Black '47 benefits from deliberate pacing and immersive production design. In terms of cinematography, the film’s bleak landscapes and period-accurate sets consistently reinforce its historical setting. The editing molds tense action sequences effectively, though occasional matte-painted backdrops draw attention to their artificiality. Overall, the visual approach remains compelling despite sporadic stylization missteps.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When it comes to character and emotion, Black '47 is anchored by confident performances, notably from James Frecheville and Hugo Weaving. The acting consistently conveys the central figures’ anguish and resolve, while supporting roles provide sturdy contributions. However, villainous motivations sometimes read as archetypal, and secondary relationships lack full development. Thus, emotional resonance is solid but uneven in its depth.

  • Story & Flow 55

    In terms of story and flow, the film’s revenge-western structure offers clear stakes and a driving purpose. Pacing alternates between measured tension and brisk momentum, though some narrative threads feel underdeveloped. Critics and viewers note derivative elements in the plot and occasional lapses in coherence, particularly around character motivation. The core narrative remains engaging, yet its familiarity tempers overall impact.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    When considering sensory experience, Black '47 pairs a hauntingly somber score with meticulous sound design to heighten tension in key scenes. The visual style emphasizes muted tones and stark natural vistas that underscore the film’s tone. Background atmospherics and musical cues receive consistent praise, although certain matte and CGI treatments can appear incongruent. Overall, the film delivers an evocative sound and sight experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    In regard to rewatch factor, the film’s strong opening and intense action sequences offer memorable moments on first viewing. The atmospheric elements and lead performances continue to resonate, yet the narrative’s reliance on genre conventions and its heavy emotional tenor may limit repeated engagement. Consequently, Black '47 offers moderate replay value with lasting appeal for committed genre fans.

Plot

Black '47 Plot Summary

What happens in Black '47 from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Hannah Hugo Weaving is a battle-hardened investigator for the Royal Irish Constabulary, and his temper flares during a drunken interrogation when a prisoner refuses to name his accomplices, leading to a fatal strangulation. This act lands him in trouble and he is ultimately arrested and sentenced to hang.

Full summary

The whole story of Black '47, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Black '47 Box Office

Black '47 grossed $2.1 million worldwide. $57,520 came from the US and Canada and $2 million (97%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$2.1M

US & Canada
$57.5K
International
$2M
US & Canada 3% Rest of the world 97%
Awards

Black '47 Awards & Nominations

Black '47 earned 2 award nominations, including Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the IFTA Awards 2020.

2 nominations1 ceremony

  • Irish Film & Television Awards logo
    IFTA Awards 2020 2 nominations
    • Nominated Best Actor in a Supporting Role
    • Nominated Best Director
Videos

Black '47 Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Black '47.

BLACK 47 Official Irish and UK Trailer (2018)
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Black '47?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Which actor plays the role of Hannah in the film?

Cars

Cars in Black '47

2 cars on screen: the 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the unknown.

  • 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee in Black '47 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee Important role
  • unknown in Black '47 unknown Background role
Details

Black '47 Also Known As

16 alternative titles, including “The Ranger” and “リベンジャースクワッド しゅくめいのこうや”.

Also known as
  • The Ranger
  • リベンジャースクワッド しゅくめいのこうや
  • Kara '47
  • The Renegade
  • 블랙 47
  • Black 47
  • La gran hambruna
  • Черен 47-ми
  • שחור 47
  • 黑色1847
  • Чорний 47-й
  • Черный 47-й
+4 more
  • Fekete 47
  • Tamsa'47
  • 黑色四七
  • リベンジャー・スクワッド 宿命の荒野

Seen Black '47?

FAQ

Black '47 FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Black '47, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Black '47?

Black '47 runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).

When was Black '47 released?

Black '47 was released on September 28, 2018.

Who directed Black '47?

Black '47 was directed by Lance Daly.

More films by Lance Daly

Who is in the cast of Black '47?

Black '47 stars James Frecheville as Feeney, Hugo Weaving as Hannah and Sarah Greene as Ellie, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Black '47 make at the box office?

Black '47 grossed $2.1 million worldwide ($57,520 domestic, $2 million international).

How is Black '47 rated?

Black '47 has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 78% on Rotten Tomatoes, 65 on Metacritic and 65% on TMDB.

Was Black '47 nominated for any awards?

Black '47 received 2 nominations across 1 ceremony.

Does Black '47 have a post-credit scene?

No. Black '47 has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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