The Irish Whiskey Rebellion

The Irish Whiskey Rebellion (also known as A Change in The Wind)^[2] is a 1972 crime drama, directed by Chester Erskine and starring William Devane, Anne Meara, Richard Mulligan, John Pleshette, David Groh, Stephen Joyce, and William Challee. It is based on a 1969 novel by Leslie Waller "A Change in The Wind." The film is set in Prohibition Era and shows a story of an IRA member who tries to land a shipment of contraband whiskey.

The Irish Whiskey Rebellion
Directed by	Chester Erskine
Written by	Leslie Waller
Based on	"A Change in The Wind" (1969) by Leslie Waller[1]
Produced by	George Manasse
Starring	William Devane Anne Meara Richard Mulligan, John Pleshette David Groh Stephen Joyce William Challee
Cinematography	Minervino Rojas
Music by	Leonard Rosenman
Production companies	GSF Productions, Inc.[1]
Distributed by	Cinerama Releasing Corporation[1]
Release date	October 1972 (1972-10) [2]
Running time	93 minutes[1]
Country	United States
Language	English

Plot

The film is set in 1927 on Fire Island. IRA veteran Harry Regan (Stephen Joyce) arrives to the US and wants to arrange a shipment of contraband whiskey to support the struggle for independence.^[3] He is being chased by a brutal Coast Guard Lt. Commander Ashley (William Devane) and confronts local crime syndicate member Maxie (David Groh).^[4]

Production

The Irish Whiskey Rebellion was filmed in September—early November 1971 on Fire Island, New York, mostly in Saltaire, Long Cove and Skunk Hollow.^[1][5] It is believed that director Chester Erskine used the pseudonym of "J. C. Works" on the film's credit (as author).^[1][6] The film featured newsreel footage from the 1916-1921 period in Ireland and of events associated with Charles Lindbergh's Atlantic crossing.^[4]

Critical response

TV Guide gave the film 2 starts out five with the verdict “Devane's performance is up to his usual high standard, and the period atmosphere is believable; but that's still not enough to raise the film above mediocrity”.^[7]