To celebrate the song’s 100th birthday, this award-nominated film explores the secret emotional life and the huge cultural influence of this globally famous ballad.
DANNY BOY has been covered by everyone – from Elvis to Sinead O’Connor, Harry Belafonte to Johnny Cash. But it simply wouldn’t have lasted as long if it hadn’t tapped into something magical & mysterious.
DANNY BOY: THE BALLAD THAT BEWITCHED THE WORLD unravels the enigma behind its astonishing success and shows how the tune played a part in some of major moments of the 20th century. The film’s vast historical sweep takes in World War 1, Elvis, the IRA, Johnny Cash, 9/11, Hollywood musicals, the Irish Diaspora, the Coen Brothers, world title fights – & much more.
With the help of a wide range of contributors, the film pieces together how DANNY BOY bewitched the world as it snaked its way through the last hundred years. Full of surprises, including exciting new revelations about DANNY BOY’S very birth, this film uncovers the astonishing tale behind one of the world’s most famous songs.
DIRECTOR & WRITER: James Maycock
BROADCASTERS: BBC Four / BBC Northern Ireland / RTE
PROGRAMME DURATION: 60 minutes
PRODUCTION COMPANY: Tyrone Productions
TYRONE PRODUCTIONS EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Patricia Carroll
BBC COMMISSIONERS: Greg Sanderson / Justin Binding