The Irishman (1978): Cast & Plot
The Irishman is a 1978 romantic drama directed by Donald Crombie, starring Michael Craig as Paddy Doolan, Simon Burke and Lou Brown. It runs 1 hour 48 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 48m (108 min)
- Director
- Donald Crombie
- Original language
-
English - After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Irishman About?
The premise of The Irishman without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Paddy Doolan stubbornly resists progress as the early twentieth‑century world shifts from horse‑drawn transport to motor cars. Determined to preserve his way of life, the proud Irishman remains the last draught‑horse teamster, continuing to haul timber through the forest by the old, familiar method despite the encroaching modernity.
The Irishman Themes & Keywords
· 23 tags- family relationships
- technology
- technical development
- team
- queensland australia
- progress
- outback
- irish
- irish australian
- ireland
- horse
- horse track
+11 more Show fewer
- horse team
- horseback riding
- clydesdale
- bush
- australia
- the outback australia
- australian bush
- 1920s
- based on book
- based on novel
- independent film
The Irishman Cast & Characters
Michael Craig leads the cast as Paddy Doolan, with Simon Burke as Michael Doolan and Lou Brown as Will Doolan. Directed by Donald Crombie; 27 actors are credited in all.
- Director Donald Crombie
- Michael Craig as Paddy Doolan
- Simon Burke as Michael Doolan
- Lou Brown as Will Doolan
- Tui Bow as Granny Doolan
Also Starring in The Irishman
· 23 more- Andrew McGuire Grandpa Doolan
- Bob Sweeney Nat Simpson
- Bryan Brown Eric Haywood
- John Bluthal Dave
- Vincent Ball Bailey Clark
- Gerard Kennedy Chad
- Tim Robertson Bill Bryant
- Robyn Nevin Jenny Doolan
- Roberta Grant Mrs. Clark
- Tony Barry Rob Dalgleish
- Roger Ward Kevin Quilty
- John Clayton Sam Brookes
- Maurice Hughes Drinker 1
- John Cobley Storekeeper
- James Gill Larry
- Jim O'Connor Quartpot
Show all 27 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Marcella Burgoyne Mrs. Dalgleish
- Tina McMahon Bo-Bo
- Babette Stephens Hotel Missus
- Bill Reynolds Dick Tanner
- Betty Ross Matron
- George Donaldson Drinker 2
- Terry Redell Lorry Driver
More from Donald Crombie
More films directed by Donald Crombie: Selkie, Rough Diamonds, Playing Beatie Bow and Robbery Under Arms.
The Irishman Plot Summary
What happens in The Irishman from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In a quiet nursing home, Bob Sweeney portrays Frank Sheeran, a seasoned Irish-American veteran of World War II who begins to recount the details of his clandestine life involving organized crime. As he delves into his past, he vividly describes his early days working as a union delivery truck driver in 1950s Philadelphia, where his journey into the criminal underworld begins unexpectedly. During his routine deliveries, he strikes up a connection with a local Italian-American gangster known as “Skinny Razor,” who is part of the Philadelphia crime family headed by Bryan Brown as Eric Haywood.
Full summary
The whole story of The Irishman, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Irishman?
11 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 11
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
- Question 11: not answered
Who does Frank Sheeran work as a union delivery truck driver for in the 1950s?
Seen The Irishman?
Movies Like The Irishman
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Sundowners, Black Irish and The Shamrock Handicap.
The Irishman FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Irishman, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Irishman?
The Irishman runs 1 hour 48 minutes (108 minutes).
When was The Irishman released?
The Irishman was released on February 28, 1978.
Who directed The Irishman?
The Irishman was directed by Donald Crombie.
More films by Donald Crombie Who is in the cast of The Irishman?
The Irishman stars Michael Craig as Paddy Doolan, Simon Burke as Michael Doolan and Lou Brown as Will Doolan, among 27 credited actors.
Does The Irishman have a post-credit scene?
No. The Irishman has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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