Shake Hands with the Devil (1959): cast, story & where to watch
1959 · Film · ★ 6.7
Released in 1959, Shake Hands with the Devil is an action and drama film directed by Michael Anderson, running about 111 minutes. “A story of love and hate...and the sudden sound of guns!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. In 1921 Dublin, the IRA battles the "Black & Tans," special British forces given to harsh measures. Irish-American medical student Kerry O'Shea hopes to stay aloof, but saving a wounded friend gets him outlawed, and inexorably drawn into the rebel organization...under his former professor Sean Lenihan, who has "shaken hands with the devil" and begun to think of fighting as an end in itself. Complications arise when Kerry falls for a beautiful English hostage, and the British offer a peace treaty that is not enough to satisfy Lenihan.
Who’s in it. Shake Hands with the Devil stars James Cagney as Sean Lenihan, Don Murray as Kerry O'Shea, Dana Wynter as Jennifer Curtis and Glynis Johns as Kitty Brady, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.7/10, Shake Hands with the Devil has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, ScreenPix Apple TV Channel and Amazon Prime Video with Ads and rent or buy it from Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Shake Hands with the Devil page.
If you liked it. Fans of Shake Hands with the Devil tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Shake Hands with the Devil (1959)?
- In US, Shake Hands with the Devil is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV and ScreenPix Apple TV Channel, and rent or buy from Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Shake Hands with the Devil worth watching?
- Shake Hands with the Devil holds an audience score of 6.7 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy action and drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Shake Hands with the Devil?
- Shake Hands with the Devil stars James Cagney, Don Murray, Dana Wynter, Glynis Johns and Michael Redgrave.
- When was Shake Hands with the Devil released?
- Shake Hands with the Devil was released in 1959, with a runtime of about 111 minutes.