THIS is one of the most compelling, heartbreaking films produced in years.

Set in the 60s, three Irish girls are sent to an institution run by the sadistic Magdalene Sisters because their families and guardians believe they have sinned.

Rose has a child out of wedlock who is promptly ripped away from her and put up for adoption and Bernadette is an orphan who is separated from her sisters because the authorities think she flirts too much.

When Margaret is raped by her cousin at a wedding she confides in her family who blame her for what has happened.

Within hours of meeting the Magdalene Sisters, the three girls realise there are far worse places than the fiery hell featured in the bible.

The nuns are cruel and completely uncompromising. The girls are tortured and humiliated regularly and the nuns claim they are doing it in the name of god.

Some girls try to fight the system but fail and others simply accept their lives but all are left as shadows of their former selves.

This is a masterpiece which laces the harsh, painful scenes with humour as the girls struggle to stay sane amid the madness.

HC