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Michael Collins (1996)
Released By: Warner Home Video   Rating: R   In Theaters: N/A
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Studio: Warner Home Video
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Neil Jordan
Language: English
Official Website: N/A
Theatrical Release: N/A
Home Video Release: N/A
Cast: Aidan Quinn, Alan Rickman, Julia Roberts, Liam Neeson, Stephen Rea
Published ID: 5340
UPC: 085391420521,
Plot: The rise and fall of one of the most important and controversial figures in Ireland's struggle for independence is chronicled in this biographical drama. In 1916, the British government ruled Ireland with a firm and cruel hand, as they had for 700 years. When a group of Irish rebels staged a six-day siege at Dublin's General Post Office, only one of the leaders was able to escape execution -- Eamon De Valera (Alan Rickman), an American citizen of Irish blood. A number of De Valera's followers are sent to prison, and one of them, Michael Collins (Liam Neeson), walked out of jail convinced that a new approach was needed to free his homeland from British rule. With his compatriot Harry Boland (Aidan Quinn), Collins formed the Irish Volunteers, who used a combination of terrorist violence and guerilla warfare to attack the British where their defenses were weakest, and employed espionage and a key inside informant (Stephen Rea) to learn what the British planned to do next -- and what they knew about Collins and his supporters. Collins' strategic skills and talent for warfare made a major impact on the British, and he became the hero of the new-born Republican Movement, which seemed to offer a real hope of freedom, despite the violent reprisals of the vicious paramilitary police, the Black and Tans. De Valera, however, was often in conflict with Collins in terms of the methods and approach of their struggle. Collins also found himself in a different sort of conflict with Boland when he fell in love with his girlfriend, a strong-willed advocate of Irish freedom named Kitty Kiernan (Julia Roberts). Eager to gain support for the Republican cause, De Valera sought economic and military support from the U.S.; when he returned, the Volunteers seemed to have finally won a real victory, as the British government announced that they were willing to formally negotiate with them. While Collins was once the radical and De Valera was the moderate, once negotiations began, Collins sought to end the violence that he saw killing so many young people and was willing to agree to a compromise that would create the Irish Free State. While the agreement would still leave final political control with the British, it would bring a greater self-determination to Ireland, and Collins believed that it was a crucial first step that could lead, in time, to true freedom for his people. De Valera, however, was strongly opposed to the treaty with Britian, and this led to violence among pro- and anti-treaty factions; soon Ireland's most loved leader was now branded a traitor by many of his countrymen. Michael Collins was voted Best Picture at the 1996 Venice Film Festival, and Liam Neeson was awarded the prize for Best Actor. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
IDDateTimeTitleReviewHelpfulVotesTotalVotes
Michael Collins
Added 11/17/2009


A wonderfully filmed picture, great color and angles. Wonderful actors, great action and a great piece of Irish history. As we know, freedom is not free.God's rest to Michael Collin a true Irish hero. Surprised by how really great this picture was for the sales price of the film.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
SIMPLY; MICHAEL COLLINS
Added 11/4/2009
In my opinion, the movie was excellent. Even though I felt a few artistic liberties might have been taken, from what I can see, the movie was pretty much 'on point'. Liam Neeson, did an outstanding job in portraying the Irish leader, Michael Collins, intelligent, highly motivated and passionate about what he was trying to attain, almost to a fault. (Note: of course I expected no less from the actor - excellent in whatever he portrays). The movie sheds light on a bit of Irish history regarding the IRB and IRA; the fight to break British total rule over Ireland, and Michael Collins efforts to accomplish this. The movie should be watched closely , noting, that there was a split among the Irish people and in the end, it was the Irish against Irish (which seems to be ongoing, to some extent,even today). I had seen/rented the movie before, but it's the kind of movie I can watch again and again. I enjoyed it that much. So, I decided to purchase the DVD from Amazon for my own library. When I received the DVD, I immediately watch it over again,twice. If you are interested in anything regarding a bit of Ireland's history, or the history of the IRB/IRA,I recommend you buy this movie. Each time I watch it, (contrary to what others might feel), I am left with a deep sense of respect for the young Irish leader and what he accomplished during his brief political career.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Great Movie
Added 10/26/2009
If you love Ireland this is a great movie, if you love history this is a great movie, if you love a good story this is a great movie.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Great Historical Film Making
Added 7/10/2009
The story is well told, acted and well balanced. This is a good film to watch with "The Wind that Shakes the Barley". It accurately dislays the civil unrest and feeling about the time period. It would have been nice to see more of Michael's earlier history as a lad growing up and in London, as it seemed more focused on the 1916 uprising and 1922 treaty with the events surrounding. Nevertheless, we enjoy this film, and in our opinion was well done.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
Jordan's Most Powerful Film
Added 7/7/2009
Michael Collins is quite possibly Irish director Neil Jordan's most powerful film. The problem is that the film was not widely seen on its release in 1997. Over time the film has lost some of the controvery surrounding it and viewed in retrospect stands as a tribute to Jordan's storytelling art.

Liam Neeson portrays the Irish revolutionary and statesman Michael Collins at the pivotal timeperiod 1916 until 1922. The film covers ground between the Easter uprising and the leader's death six years later. The cast is excellent and features Aiden Quinn as Harry Boland, Alan Rickman as Irish Republican President Eamon de Valera. If there is a weakness in the casting it is in the part of love interest Kitty Kearnan played by a very American sounding Julia Roberts.

The film has been criticized because Jordan changed some events to make the story flow better. I don't see this as a problem. All history involves revision depending on the author's take on the story. Many will compare this film to Mel Gibson's Braveheart but I feel that this is overall a better film.

A minor issue comes in the presentation. The film was an early release from Warner Brothers and the movie is contained on a double sided single layer flipper disc whicc calls for flipping with only about 30 minutes remaining in the film. The disc contains an episode of the London Weekend Television series The Southbank Show which is a quite good special feature. The documentary runs for about 50 minutes and covers both Collins' life and the production. For an evening of historical drama you can't beat this one.

Highly recommended.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
Michael Collins
Added 11/17/2009


A wonderfully filmed picture, great color and angles. Wonderful actors, great action and a great piece of Irish history. As we know, freedom is not free.God's rest to Michael Collin a true Irish hero. Surprised by how really great this picture was for the sales price of the film.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
SIMPLY; MICHAEL COLLINS
Added 11/4/2009
In my opinion, the movie was excellent. Even though I felt a few artistic liberties might have been taken, from what I can see, the movie was pretty much 'on point'. Liam Neeson, did an outstanding job in portraying the Irish leader, Michael Collins, intelligent, highly motivated and passionate about what he was trying to attain, almost to a fault. (Note: of course I expected no less from the actor - excellent in whatever he portrays). The movie sheds light on a bit of Irish history regarding the IRB and IRA; the fight to break British total rule over Ireland, and Michael Collins efforts to accomplish this. The movie should be watched closely , noting, that there was a split among the Irish people and in the end, it was the Irish against Irish (which seems to be ongoing, to some extent,even today). I had seen/rented the movie before, but it's the kind of movie I can watch again and again. I enjoyed it that much. So, I decided to purchase the DVD from Amazon for my own library. When I received the DVD, I immediately watch it over again,twice. If you are interested in anything regarding a bit of Ireland's history, or the history of the IRB/IRA,I recommend you buy this movie. Each time I watch it, (contrary to what others might feel), I am left with a deep sense of respect for the young Irish leader and what he accomplished during his brief political career.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Great Movie
Added 10/26/2009
If you love Ireland this is a great movie, if you love history this is a great movie, if you love a good story this is a great movie.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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