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Michael Collins Details

1996 Certificate 15
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 2909 members

Starting with Ireland's bloody Easter Rebellion of 1916 and ending with his untimely death, this brilliantly photographed epic from director Neil Jordan tells the charged story of Michael "Mickey" Collins. An IRA founder whose innovative guerrilla tactics succeeded in bringing freedom from British rule, Collins remains a .. Read more

Starring Aidan Quinn, Stephen Rea, Alan Rickman, Julia Roberts
Director Neil Jordan
Genres Drama

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Michael Collins

Starting with Ireland's bloody Easter Rebellion of 1916 and ending with his untimely death, this brilliantly photographed epic from director Neil Jordan tells the charged story of Michael "Mickey" Collins. An IRA founder whose innovative guerrilla tactics succeeded in bringing freedom from British rule, Collins remains a controversial but much respected political figure, who is skillfully embodied in the film by Liam Neeson. Aidan Quinn plays his longtime friend Harry, and Julia Roberts, sporting a nice brogue and lovely period costumes, is Katie, the woman they both love.
Jordan staged most of the battles, riots, ceremonies, and speeches at their actual locations in Ireland with a cast of thousands and a great eye for period detail. The result is a film that is both historically evocative and stunningly beautiful thanks to the breathtaking cinematography of Chris Menges. The film is also surprisingly nonjudgmental in its depiction of Collins's appalling but inarguably successful methods of "bloody mayhem." Stephen Rea and Alan Rickman costar, with Elliot Goldenthal contributing a rich Oscar-nominated score.

Starring Aidan Quinn, Stephen Rea, Alan Rickman, Julia Roberts, Liam Neeson
Director Neil Jordan
Studio WARNER HOME VIDEO
Run time DVD: 2 hrs 7 mins
Certificate Certificate 15
Genres Drama
Language DVD: English
Hearing-impaired English
Subtitles DVD: Arabic, English
Released DVD: 25 Sep 1998
Production year: 1996
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (6) of Michael Collins

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  • 4 stars out of 5

    This is Neil Jordan's screen biography about the founder of the IRA, an intellectual who virtually invented urban terrorism and bombed his way to talks in Downing Street before being assassinated by his own side in 1922. The movie begins with an impressively filmed Easter uprising, in which Jordan appears to demolish Dublin, yet there's also an even-handedness when it comes to depicting and simplifying the political struggle for Irish independence. As Collins, Liam Neeson fills a room with his charm and menace, while Alan Rickman is superbly cast as Eamon De Valera, a fanatic in pebble glasses. Julia Roberts, however, looks wispy and hopelessly lost, the victim of a crass casting decision made in the hope of boosting the box office.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006
  • 1 stars out of 4

    Effective and dramatic political drama that simplifies the facts and has at its centre a glaring gap Ð Collins's negotiations with the British Ð into which the narrative unfortunately collapses.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
    • Posted 02 Mar 2006

  • Most helpful member's review of Michael Collins

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  • 11 out of 11 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    A grand historical!

    Set in the early 1900s it is a gritty historical which depicts the eventual formation of the IRA that was born from an nation's struggle for identity against British authority. An underlying political intrigue forms a backdrop for the key characters of the movie. A high calibre cast is lead by Liam Neason who plays the central character Michael Collins with energy and total conviction, and also includes a penetrating performance by the most excellent Alan Rickman. The plot draws you in and the support actors are all most accomplished. I found the film fascinating and engaged me throughout. It illuminated an aspect of history that is not often understood or explained. Well worth seeing, to be sure!

      • David T from New Forest, Hampshire
      • Posted 26 Jul 2004 13:39

  • Most recent members' review of Michael Collins

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  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Great Film

    Ok, so he dies at the end, but you can't change history.Is it entirely accurate , no.Does it matter ,no.

    First DVD I have ever had where you have to turn it over half way through ! And guess what, I started it on teh wrong side.Doh.

    Eventually watched it teh correct way 'round.Still a grat film though.

      • A customer from Hythe
      • Posted 30 Dec 2008 10:47

  • News and features

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    Notting Hill

    Roberts to go to war

    • 11 Jan 2006

    Julia Roberts is in talks to star alongside Tom Hanks in the movie Charlie Wilson's War. The Notting Hill actress would team up again with Closer director Mike Nichols for the project that tells the true story of Texas congressman Charlie Wilson who helped to fund Afghan rebels in the 1980s against USSR forces. The star of Michael Collins, Hook and Conspiracy Theory is lined up to feature as Texan socialite who persuades Wilson to get involved in the CIA plot. Roberts has been off the big... Read more

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2,909 Member ratings
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484
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229
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119
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74
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54
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26

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      • Starting with Ireland's bloody Easter Rebellion of 1916 and ending with his untimely death, this brilliantly photographed epic from director Neil Jordan tells the charged story of Michael "Mickey" ...