It's a shame that participants in the continuing Middle East conflict will probably never get to see "Bloody Sunday." Though the film — a "dramatic re-creation" of the ill-fated Derry civil-rights march in 1972 — is set in a country far from modern Middle East bloodshed, it offers an important lesson about how a supposedly simple disagreement can get so far out of hand that lives are lost.

"Bloody Sunday" is an extremely powerful film, although it contains so much conjecture that audience members may be unsure about what is true and what has been dramatized. Also, by shooting things in a pseudo-documentary style, the filmmakers have opened themselves to attack from those with opposing viewpoints.

Any complaints about unfair treatment toward the British side of things can be easily dismissed, however — not only does history now seem to side against them in this dispute, the material is a lot more balanced and even-handed than the film's detractors might have you believe.

"Bloody Sunday" explores the much-disputed events of Jan. 30, 1972, from several perspectives — perhaps most significantly from the vantage point of Ivan Cooper (James Nesbitt), a civil-rights leader who has sided against the Protestant-led government in spite of his religious beliefs.

So Cooper and others have planned what is supposed to be a "peaceful" rally, and they march through the streets of the Irish city. Unfortunately, despite their best intentions, there are outside forces, including the British Army and the Irish Republican Army, working to ensure that it becomes a melee.

The film's obvious point of view is that this one event may have been the root cause of Ireland's 25-year cycle of escalating bloodshed. And at times, things appear to be so realistic that you have to remind yourself it's just a film.

There are several superb performances, especially that by Nesbitt, whose depiction of Cooper emerges as possibly the most tragic character. (The U2 anthem that was written about the tragedy closes the film on an entirely appropriate note.)

"Bloody Sunday" is rated R for graphic violence (rioting, gunfire and beatings), occasional use of strong sex-related profanity and some crude slang terms, gore, brief sexual contact and brief female nudity. Running time: 107 minutes.

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E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com