Guests of the Nation (1935)

During the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921), a pair of IRA soldiers are ordered to guard two British prisoners, but face a dilemma when they bond with their captives and the enemy becomes human. This greatly worries the Irish leader, because his prisoners may have to be killed in reprisal if the British execute two IRA soldiers as they threaten. The film is based on Frank O'Connor's 1931 short story with the same title. Although completed in 1934 and first shown in Ireland early the following year, this film was not distributed or shown outside Ireland for over 75 years. Its U.S. premiere took place in New York City in September 2011. A different adaptation of the novel was released in 1981.