This film is part of Free
This Most Gallant Gentleman
The remains of Irish nationalist Roger Casement are repatriated to Ireland almost half a century after his execution.
Overview
Almost fifty years after his execution for treason, the remains of Sir Roger Casement - exhumed from a quicklime grave at Pentonville Prison - arrive in Ireland for burial with full military honours. Sponsored by Ireland's Department of External Affairs, this official record of the repatriation of an icon of Irish nationalism features music by the Chieftains. Casement's body lay in state at Arbour Hill for five days, before a procession through the wintery streets of Dublin to a state funeral at Glasnevin Cemetery on 1 March 1965. President Éamon de Valera, last surviving leader of the 1916 Easter Rising, was among those in attendance.
Lauded by humanitarians for his exposure of human rights abuses in the Congo and Peru, Casement later embraced the Irish nationalist cause with formidable zeal. He was arrested on 21 April 1916, hours after landing on the Kerry coast in a German submarine and just three days before the Easter Rising began in Dublin. Casement was whisked away to London to stand trial and was executed on 3 August, his fate sealed by the discovery and malicious distribution of the legendary 'Black Diaries', which contained accounts of homosexual activities.
Related
Trial of Casement Trial of Casement
Non-Fiction 1916 1 mins Silent
Crowds throng Bow Street during the trial of British diplomat turned Irish nationalist Roger Casement.
The Dublin Rebellion The Dublin Rebellion
Non-Fiction 1916 4 mins Silent
Powerfully raw on-the-streets newsreel report from a ravaged, smouldering Dublin.
The Trial of Sir Roger Casement The Trial of Sir Roger Casement
Drama-documentary 1960 52 mins
Peter Wyngarde plays the gay British diplomat turned Irish nationalist, executed for treason in 1916
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Luke Bean of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Samantha Arnold of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.
Horace Ové on Pressure Horace Ové on Pressure
Inside Film 2005 36 mins
The acclaimed director discusses his landmark film in this interview from 2005.
Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 28 mins
Directors Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor dig deep into their thrilling biopic Baltimore, in discussion with Nadia M Oliva.
Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film
Inside Film 2023 17 mins
Actor Herbert Norville discusses working with the pioneering filmmaker on his groundbreaking 1975 drama, Pressure.
Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective
Inside Film 2023 77 mins
An impassioned discussion on the life, work and legacy of the eminent filmmaker Horace Ové, chaired by Samira Ahmed.