An American Vietnam veteran's disillusionment with the IRA cause in Belfast
Story Structure — 3 Plot Phases
The Return Home
Michael Flaherty, an American Vietnam veteran of Irish descent, returns to Belfast inspired by his grandfather's stories about the Irish independence struggle.
Key Events
Michael Returns to Belfast — American veteran arrives in Northern Ireland Characters: Michael Flaherty, Seamus FlahertyLocation: Belfast
Grandfather's Stories — Michael learns about Irish independence struggle Characters: Michael Flaherty, Seamus FlahertyLocation: Seamus's Home
IRA Recruitment Attempt — Michael tries to join the IRA forces Characters: Michael Flaherty, Emmett Donovan, John RussellLocation: IRA Hideout
The Outsider's Struggle
Michael faces growing suspicion from IRA members who view him as an outsider despite his heritage and combat experience.
Key Events
IRA Recruitment Attempt — Michael tries to join the IRA forces Characters: Michael Flaherty, Emmett Donovan, John RussellLocation: IRA Hideout
Suspicion Grows — IRA members view Michael with increasing distrust Characters: Michael Flaherty, Emmett Donovan, John RussellLocation: Belfast Streets
Meets Siobhan — Michael forms a connection with Siobhan Characters: Michael Flaherty, SiobhanLocation: Local Pub
Assassination Plot Revealed — Michael learns IRA plans to kill him Characters: Michael Flaherty, Tony Coyle, Mrs CochranLocation: Safe House
The Deadly Game
Michael discovers he's become a target in an IRA assassination plot designed to frame British forces and gain American support.
Key Events
Assassination Plot Revealed — Michael learns IRA plans to kill him Characters: Michael Flaherty, Tony Coyle, Mrs CochranLocation: Safe House
Farmer's Warning — Farmer provides crucial information about the plot Characters: Michael Flaherty, The FarmerLocation: Rural Area
IRA Frame-Up Plan — IRA plans to blame British forces for Michael's death Characters: John Russell, MacWhirter, Finbar DonovanLocation: IRA Headquarters
Michael's Escape Attempt — Michael tries to flee Belfast Characters: Michael Flaherty, Tony Coyle, SiobhanLocation: Belfast Streets
Confrontation with Assassins — Michael faces those tasked with killing him Characters: Michael Flaherty, Finbar Donovan, Emmett DonovanLocation: Abandoned Building
Final Showdown — Michael confronts the IRA leadership Characters: Michael Flaherty, John Russell, MacWhirterLocation: IRA Hideout
Story Breakdown
Journey to Ireland — Michael's return to his ancestral homeland
Departure from America — Michael leaves for Belfast
Reunion with Seamus — Meeting with his grandfather
IRA Recruitment — Attempts to join the cause
Growing Conflict — Michael's increasing isolation and danger
IRA Suspicion — Distrust from local members
Relationship with Siobhan — Romantic connection forms
Assassination Plot — Discovery of the murder plan
Survival and Confrontation — Michael's fight for survival against the IRA
Escape Attempt — Michael tries to flee Belfast
Confrontation with Assassins — Face-to-face with those trying to kill him
Final Showdown — Confrontation with IRA leadership
Michael Flaherty (Craig Wasson), an American Vietnam veteran of Irish descent, returns to Belfast to join the cause of his grandfather, Seamus (Sterling Hayden). Soon he finds that he is not as welcomed in his home country as he imagined he would be. Even worse, he's the target of an IRA assassination plot designed to make the British forces look bad in order to elicit financial support from wealthy Americans.
