The General (1998)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

John Boorman

Writers:

John Boorman (writer)
Paul Williams (novel)

Release Date:

18 December 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

The extraordinary true story of the rise and fall of the gangster, Martin Cahill.

Plot:

The real-life story of Dublin folk hero and criminal Martin Cahill, who pulled off two daring robberies in Ireland with his team...

Plot Keywords:

Police | Robbery | Irish | Gangster | Money

Awards:

9 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Brendan Gleeson	...	Martin Cahill
Adrian Dunbar	...	Noel Curley
Sean McGinley	...	Gary
Maria Doyle Kennedy	...	Frances
Angeline Ball	...	Tina
Jon Voight	...	Inspector Ned Kenny
Eanna MacLiam	...	Jimmy
Tom Murphy	...	Willie Byrne
Paul Hickey	...	Anthony
Tommy O'Neill	...	Paddy
John O'Toole	...	Shea
Ciarán Fitzgerald	...	Tommy
Ned Dennehy	...	Gay
Vinny Murphy	...	Harry (as Vinnie Murphy)
Roxanna Williams	...	Orla

Also Known As:

I Once Had a Life

MPAA:

Rated R for violence and pervasive language.

Runtime:

124 min

Country:

UK | Ireland

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Australia:M | France:U | New Zealand:M | Portugal:M/16 | South Korea:15 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Company:

J & M

Trivia:

The home of director John Boorman was robbed by the real life Martin Cahill. Among other things, he stole a gold record that Boorman had on the wall, which inspired Boorman to include that scene in the movie.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Set in 1984, the background of the anti-drug march features a car with a license plate beginning with "96," indicating 1996.

Quotes:

Martin Cahill: [looking at himself on television] It makes me look fat.
Tina: You're not fat. You're cuddly.

Movie Connections:

References Deliverance (1972)

No frills, just good story telling.

Boorman if nothing else is a good story teller. As a director, his greatest triumph came early in his career with Deliverance. Yet as a writer, he has brought us quality films such as Excalibur, and Hope & Glory. His adaptation of the Paul Williams novel is straight forward and without frills. Martin Cahill had many aspects to his life that could have easily become the fodder for an over zealous director. Rather than seeking to build a "background" story out of his love triangle, Boorman handles it with style and two scenes. The movie is meant to tell you about the rise and fall of Martin Cahill with a watchful eye to the social and political forces in Ireland. Boorman does just that. The scenes are well thought out and the acting solid. While this movie never hit the critical radar in America, it was praised both in Britain and at Cannes. When your in the mood for a story of a gangster who became a populist hero, take a look at this film. But if you want swift action scenes and graphic violence, it may be time for another viewing of Bonnie and Clyde.