Alan Devlin

Danny (Stephen Rea) is the gifted but unstable saxophonist in an Armagh dance band. One night he witnesses the murder of the band's manager and a deaf-mute girl by local racketeers. Danny determines to avenge their deaths. But his search for the killers evolves into a hopeless obsession, destroying first his relationship with musician girlfriend Deirdre, and eventually causing him to violate his own moral code. Neil Jordan's feature debut set against the backdrop of Northern Ireland's troubles.

The only lay teacher in a Catholic reform school in 1930s Ireland battles the memories of war and a sadistic headmaster who beats the children.