Watch Man of Aran

Man of Aran is a visually stunning film that captures the harsh way of life on the Aran Islands, located off the coast of Ireland. The movie was released in 1934 and directed by Robert J. Flaherty, who is known for his insightful documentaries. The movie is known for its depiction of the life of the fishermen in the island during that period.

The movie is a silent film, and therefore it relies heavily on its beautiful cinematography to convey the story. There is no spoken dialogue; instead, the movie is narrated using on-screen text. The focus of the film is on the harsh lives of the people who live on the island and rely on fishing for their livelihood.

The movie begins with a scene of a family, a mother, father, and child, standing on the shore looking out to sea. The father is a fisherman and spends his days at sea, while the mother stays home to tend to the child and do household chores. The family is poor, and their home is a simple dwelling made of rock and thatched with straw, reflecting the hard lives and poverty on the island.

Throughout the film, we see the fishermen braving the rough Atlantic waters around the island, using primitive boats to catch fish. The boats are small and look handmade, and the fishermen are seen using nets and poles, rather than modern equipment. The art of fishing is in stark contrast to the danger of the sea and weather, which are ever-present threats to the people of Aran.

We follow the fishermen as they risk their lives in search of fish, battling fierce storms and the unpredictable nature of the sea. As they work, we see the techniques, customs, and traditions of the people of the island. Viewers witness the process of catching fish - cleaning, drying, and storing them for the winter months.

The movie doesn't only show the hard and perilous lives of the fishermen and their families. It also provides some vivid close-ups of the nature and wildlife of the island, with breathtaking views of the rugged terrain, the crashing waves against the shoreline, seabirds, and the sea creatures beneath the waves.

The characters in the film are non-professional actors, with the fishermen portrayed by the actual men who lived on the island. The lead roles are played by Colman 'Tiger' King, Maggie Dirrane, and Michael Dirrane. The actors do not perform in a way that would suggest they are acting, instead relying on natural movements and expressions as they go about their daily lives.

Man of Aran is a documentary of sorts and provides a glimpse into a way of life that is long gone. It has an authentic feel and shows the struggles of the people of the island. We see the daily routines of the residents of Aran, from the domestic chores of the women in the home to the tasks of the fishermen on the sea.

Overall, Man of Aran is a timeless classic, a beautiful and raw documentary that observes people in their natural habitat, living their lives in the face of adversity. Its stunning visuals, coupled with its almost poetic narrative, create an unforgettable visual account of the lives of the people of the Island of Aran. The movie's use of non-professional actors and the focus on the way of life give it a sense of authenticity that is rarely seen in movies. Its legacy has been seen in other films released later, which took their inspiration from the movie's vision and style.

Man of Aran is a 1934 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 16 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.