Michael Collins (1996)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Neil Jordan

Writer:

Neil Jordan (written by)

Release Date:

11 October 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Thriller | War

Tagline:

Ireland, 1916. His dreams inspired hope. His words inspired passion. His courage forged a nation's destiny.

Plot:

Michael Collins plays a crucial role in the establishment of the Irish Free State in the 1920s, but becomes vilified by those hoping to create a completely independent Irish republic.

Plot Keywords:

Independence | Assassination | Rebellion | 1920s | Liberty

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Ian Hart	...	Joe O'Reilly
Julia Roberts	...	Kitty Kiernan
Richard Ingram	...	British Officer
Liam Neeson	...	Michael Collins
Aidan Quinn	...	Harry Boland
John Kenny	...	Patrick Pearse
Ronan McCairbre	...	Thomas MacDonagh
Jer O'Leary	...	Thomas Clarke (as Ger O'Leary)
Michael Dwyer	...	James Connolly
Martin Murphy	...	Captain Lee-Wilson
Alan Rickman	...	Eamon de Valera
Sean McGinley	...	Smith
Gary Whelan	...	Hoey
Frank O'Sullivan	...	Kavanagh
Stephen Rea	...	Ned Broy

Runtime:

133 min

Country:

UK | Ireland | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:14 | Iceland:16 (video rating) | Singapore:NC-16 | South Korea:15 | Philippines:PG-13 | USA:R (certificate #34375) | Canada:14A (TV rating) | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Belgium:KT | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Germany:16 (bw) | Ireland:12 (video rating) | Ireland:PG | Netherlands:16 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Broadstone, Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

Bray Wanderers' Carlisle Grounds substituted for 1920's Croke Park, at a cost of approx IRL£1 million to renovate the ground accordingly.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Michael Collins is shown wearing a wrist watch. These were developed specifically for World War I airplane fighter pilots. It is far more likely that Collins would have carried a pocket watch during the period the film covers.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Joe O'Reilly: [dictating a letter] You've got to think of him. The way he was... He was what the times demanded. And life without him seems impossible. But he's dead. And life is possible. He made it possible.

Movie Connections:

References The Godfather (1972)

Soundtrack:

She Moved Through The Fair

Well scripted and sharply directed.

When I first saw this film I was not sure what to expect. Was it going to be a biased portrayal? Although some incidents were merged, I'm glad to say that I thought the film was excellent, with a powerful script, well directed and a superb performance by Alan Rickman as De Valera and Liam Neeson in the title role.

The direction of the film was very well done, especially the scenes at the Four Courts in Dublin.

A well recommended film, which I found to be very fair in the portrayal of incidents committed in the period of British rule and the subsequent civil war.