Michael Collins (1996)

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:

Irish | Ireland | Irish Free State | Sinn Fein | Love

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

Colour:

Black and White | Colour (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:

Brendan Gleeson, who plays Liam Tobin in the film, played Collins in The Treaty (1991) (TV). Liam Neeson consulted with Gleeson during pre-production and on set on portraying the character.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the Croke Park scene an armoured car opens fire on the crowd. In reality an armoured car was never used at Croke Park, but several Black and Tan "foot soldiers".

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:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Agent for H.A.R.M. (#9.15)" (1997)

Soundtrack:

Civil War

Good, but not great film

It has it's moments and is beautifully photographed (by Chris Menges), but it still has script problems as well as false history. Ned Broy was not killed during the upheaval after the Irish Republican Brotherhood's formation; he lived long after. Many historical facts were sacrificed for the film. While they did make sense, they didn't make this movie a classic. Still, the character of Michael Collins is inspirational, especially if you have an interest in Irish history or are Irish yourself. The performances are first rate all around, except for Julia Roberts who I thought was expendable. In real-life history her character wasn't very important and is no more important for the film. Still, writer/director Neil Jordan makes a movie that is difficult to stop watching. I give it 7/10