Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

In the Land of Saints and Sinners Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 11, 2024

Liam Neeson has been making the same type of movie for quite some time now. While box office returns haven’t been strong, someone is making money, because the actor keeps finding work with violent entertainment. Neeson doesn’t exactly distance himself from the usual with “In the Land of Saints and Sinners,” but the feature is a slight break from the norm, reteaming with his “The Marksman” director, Robert Lorenz, for an Irish tale of revenge and protection. “In the Land of Saints and Sinners” handles with pleasing hostility, and the script by Mark Michael McNally and Terry Loane creates dimensional characters to follow, making for a deeper inspection of danger. It’s a sharp, involving film, and one of the better Neeson endeavors of the last five years.

In Northern Ireland, 1974, Doireann (Kerry Condon) and her IRA soldiers have just carried out a bombing, mistakenly killing a mother and her children during the operation. In Donegal, Finbar (Liam Neeson) is a kindly widower who loves books and spends time with his neighbor, Rita (Niamh Cusack), also palling around with Vinnie (Ciaran Hinds), the local police officer. Finbar is also a hired killer, working for Robert (Colm Meaney), eliminating bad people in the area as discreetly as possible. The years have caught up with Finbar, and he’s ready to move to a more peaceful life, with Robert using young Kevin (Jack Gleeson) for new jobs. During his community tours, Finbar learns that Moya (Michelle Gleeson), a child, is being abused by her mother’s boyfriend, Curtis (Desmond Eastwood). Refusing to permit such a heinous situation from developing, Finbar decides to add Curtis to his collection of dead bodies, finding help from Kevin. What the aged killer doesn’t understand is that Curtis is Doireann’s brother, inspiring the wanted woman to travel to Donegal and learn who murdered her beloved sibling.

“In the Land of Saints and Sinners” explores Ireland during a turbulent time in its history. However, The Troubles doesn’t play a significant role in the story, explored most directly in the opening scene, where Doireann creates a plan of murder using a timed bomb, only to watch the situation fall apart when a family unknowingly walks in front of the device. It’s a small example of Belfast horror before the tale changes to Donegal, a rural area where Finbar looks to maintain community relations and a low profile. The writing establishes the main character as a man who loves books and has dealt with tragedy, handling a history in the military and the loss of his beloved wife. He’s been stained by life, but he remains a pleasant fellow with a dark secret, and the picture depicts his murder business early in the feature, cooly dispatching a corrupt neighbor, making him dig his own grave before planting a tree on the site. It’s a stretch of land that’s filled with a large number of growing trees.

“In the Land of Saints and Sinners” investigates aging, as Finbar feels the changing of the times, confronted with the presence of Kevin and his eagerness to kill people for cash. It also tracks the need for peace, with the older man looking to gardening and more dinners with Rita to create a soulful balance. All these plans come to a halt when Finbar discovers bruises on Moya’s body, setting a plot in motion that has the concerned guardian finding his way to Curtis, who’s a vicious, reckless type in need of removal. “In the Land of Saints and Sinners” examines supporting character perspectives, with Vinnie unaware that his friend is basically the Angel of Death in Donegal, and there’s brewing confusion with Doireann, who can’t get ahold of her brother, making her way into town with zero patience for others.

In the Land of Saints and Sinners Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation offers compelling detail throughout the viewing experience. Tours of Ireland retain appealing depth, capturing the remoteness of the setting. Interiors are textured, exploring decorative additions and the time period. Skin particulars are decent, working with the varied ages of the cast. Costuming is fibrous, examining thicker outfits for the windswept land and heavier uniforms. Color is largely inviting, with the greenery of Ireland a big draw here, highlighting gorgeous locations. Period hues are defined, favoring browns and blacks, while primaries are appreciable on props and living spaces. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is acceptable. Compression doesn't always hold together, with banding a periodic sight.

In the Land of Saints and Sinners Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix isn't built for dynamic immersion, remaining largely frontal over the run time. Dialogue exchanges are crisp, dealing with the heavy accents (this is a film that benefits from a subtitle track for all the non-Irish viewers), but emotionality is always precise. Scoring cues support with orchestral authority, offering distinct instrumentation and dramatic heft. Surrounds do push out some musical moods, but nothing is too powerful. Atmospherics are also milder, exploring more active weather and crowd movement. Low-end isn't challenged, but elements of violence handle with some weight. Sound effects are defined, with snappy gunfire throughout.

In the Land of Saints and Sinners Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (2:08, HD) is included.

In the Land of Saints and Sinners Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Condon is quite wonderful in the feature, giving "In the Land of Saints and Sinners" a striking level of intimidation as Doireann marches into town, refusing to stand down from anyone. It's an energizing performance, paired well with others (including Neeson) in what becomes a western of sorts, including a Sergio Leone-esque score and scenes of charged confrontations. "In the Land of Saints and Sinners" ends up in a physical position, much like other Neeson endeavors, but Lorenz looks to make the violence meaningful with a richer sense of dramatic stakes and relationships. It gives the film suspense with life and death situations, creating a more appealing melancholic atmosphere and cultural presence than the usual Neeson bruiser.