Michael Collins *** (1996, Liam Neeson, Alan Rickman, Aidan Quinn, Stephen Rea, Ian Hart, Julia Roberts) – Classic Movie Review 3359

‘In 1916 a rebellion began, to be followed by a guerilla war which would change the nature of Britain’s rule over Ireland forever. The mastermind behind that war was Michael Collins. His life and death defined the period, in its triumph, terror and tragedy. This is his story.’

Writer-director Neil Jordan’s 1996 Irish historical biopic stars Liam Neeson as Michael Collins, the controversial Irish patriot and revolutionary who died in the Irish Civil War. Known as the Lion of Ireland, he led the IRA against the UK and helped to found the Irish Free State in 1922.

It enjoyed a mostly favourable reception but was slightly criticised for some historical inaccuracies, as, though based on historical events, it contains alterations to the truth and fictional aspects. Jordan said it could not provide an entirely accurate account of events, as a two-hour film understandable to an international audience unaware of the details of  Irish history.

The story starts in 1922, as Joe O’Reilly (Ian Hart) tries to console Kitty Kiernan (Julia Roberts), who is mourning Collins. Then we flash back to the end of the Easter Rising in 1916, as Collins (Liam Neeson), Harry Boland (Aidan Quinn), Éamon de Valera (Alan Rickman), and other survivors surrender to the British Army.

Jordan regular star Stephen Rea plays Detective Ned Broy, with Brendan Gleeson as Liam Tobin, Seán McGinley as Smith, Gerard McSorley as Cathal Brugha, Owen O’Neill as Rory O’Connor, Charles Dance as Soames, the British MI5 officer who commands the Cairo Gang, Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Collins’s assassin, Ian McElhinney as Belfast detective and Stuart Graham as Tom Cullen.

The film won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. With a budget at $25 million, it was one of the most expensive films produced in Ireland, and became the highest grossing film there. Despite that, it took $27.5 million worldwide.

Civil War is performed by Sinéad O’Connor.

Alan Rickman died on January 14 2016, aged 69.

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 3359

Link to Derek Winnert’s home page for more reviews: http://derekwinnert.com/