Michael Collins

Michael Collins

Synopsis

The life and times of the Irish revolutionary leader as told by Neil Jordon

About

This Jordan biopic of the Irish revolutionary is problematic whatever your political persuasions. The period he depicts - the 1916 Easter uprising, the 1921 free Republic negotiations - dictated the future of Ireland. From the civil rights movement in the 1960s to the rejuvenation of the IRA and the Good Friday agreement, Collins legacy looms large.

A fascinating figure, then, but this is Hollywood, not history. We can admire the striking crowd scenes, the passionate speeches and Neeson's heroic performance, but the love story sub-plot (a thankless role for Roberts) and the simplification of Collins' relationship with De Valera (Rickman as villain) are galling.

Cast & Connections

Actor: Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Aidan Quinn, Ian Hart, Liam Neeson, Charles Dance, Stephen Rea, Julia Roberts, Alan Rickman
Director: Neil Jordan
Screen Writer: Neil Jordan
Producer: Stephen Woolley
Photographer: Chris Menges

In a nutshell

Bad history perhaps, but Neeson's performance borders on the brilliant.

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