The General DVD (1998)

The General details

Format:	15 DVD
Starring:	Sean McGinley, Brendan Gleeson, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Jon Voight, Angeline Ball, Adrian Dunbar
Director:	John Boorman
Genre:	Drama - General
Studio:	WARNER HOME VIDEO

DVD 1 disc

Name	Discs
The General	15 Feature

DVD Information

Run time:	1 hour 59 minutes
Rental release:	14 Aug 2006
Main languages:	English

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Most helpful review The General

a 5 star general

By brian green from scotland , 03 Sep 2006

[Highly rated reviewer]

an absolute belter, dont let the fact its in black & white put you off,this is way better than the kevin spacey version from across the pond, the only downer is voights oirish accent, but it still isnt a spoiler as such
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Poor Show

By buffyrules (335 reviews) from southend on sea , 06 Jul 2012

Really didn't feel this at all. Throughout the film the farcical nature of the story was potrayed in a pretty slap dash way. Whether it was strictly factual or not doesn't matter to me as I think it fell down on plot and pacing trying to combine serious facts with comedic narrative.
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exercise in futility?

By lesliejung (93 reviews) from london, england , 08 Sep 2011

THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS Show review anywayHide

this is a tour de force for actors - Gleason, and Voigt among others - and manages not to be too showy despite its focus being on just those characterisations - they are not glamorised but watching the same narrative arc of the rise of a crook who has some putative heroic macho points, and his (in this case) inevitable fall from top echelons i begin to feel, 'so what?' there is nowhere for the actors to develop - Michael Cahill is always brutal, and he is a clever thief and proves it over and over again. i am just not sure what we gain by this. there is not enough sense that this is a creep after all who draws his children and two women through the mud with him, and who more or less do not question it all. so i had a sense of futility at the end of this despite the sensational acting and photography. perhaps it's the writers' faults.
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skin deep

By thecarlino (2 reviews) , 24 Jul 2011

Stylish and well shot but superficial and ultimately leaves you with nothing. What a waste of good actors. Only watch it for the excellent black and white photography.
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Is it true....?

By WildIrish (58 reviews) from Wilts/London , 26 May 2011

Love Brendan Gleeson very much see him as Martin Cahill in this biopic. Jon Voight also strong as the police officer dragged down by the constant war with Cahill very believable. What was less believable was the gloss and comic image of Cahill, sure he must have his lighter moments but not to the extent portrayed here. That sinister edge was missing even when the violence intruded on a scene. Still again if you are Irish or taken by the Dublin scene you will probably be entertained ... I was and have seen it many times over the years.
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Must watch!

By Michael Seymour from South West London. , 28 Feb 2011

Great film.

Based loosely on the true life exploits of a real man. Don't expect it be be too factual, and yes it does paint him as a very nice guy which may upset some. But, he is a a very likeable character with perfect casting.

Funny in a serious humour, black comedy style. But a highly engaging film.
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