The Dawning is a 1988 British drama film based on Jennifer Johnston's novel, The Old Jest, which depicts the Irish War of Independence through the eyes of the Anglo-Irish landlord class.

The two develop a relationship, despite her not really knowing and understanding his job: he is one of the first people that became part of a group named the IRA, and is on the run from the government.

After Cassius asks her to pass on a message to a colleague, several Officers of the British Army are gunned down at a horse race show.

[1][2] Actors Anthony Hopkins and Hugh Grant reunited five years later in the Academy Award-nominated film The Remains of the Day.

It received a five star review from Time Out, describing the film as "solidly crafted ... its main strength lies in the performances" and mentioning that Rebecca Pidgeon had given a "remarkable debut".

[4] Hilary Mantel of The Spectator gave it a negative review, praising the fine performances and faithfulness to the book but that: "Decorous direction and a stately pace render it indistinguishable from all those other films where sweet gels in pretty frocks take tea in the garden.