Michael Collins (Widescreen): Amazon.ca: DVD: DVD

Product Description

Amazon.com Essential Video

Irish writer-director Neil Jordan followed up his surprise hit The Crying Game with this controversial biography of IRA leader Michael Collins (Liam Neeson), one of the most important political leaders of the 20th century. The film follows Collins as he matures from guerrilla leader to national hero and statesman. Jordan's take on Collins is that he was set up by Irish president Eamon De Valera (Alan Rickman), who was jealous of Collins's legendary popularity. De Valera puts Collins in the position of negotiating a peace treaty that would never satisfy the Irish hero's hard-core followers. When the IRA leader returns with a first-step compromise, De Valera undercuts Collins's popularity by refusing to support the revised treaty. And the civil war continues for decades. Michael Collins occasionally loses focus and momentum, but is the kind of exciting historical drama that deserves to be called "sweeping." It is also one of the most beautifully photographed films in years: cinematographer Chris Menges uses color and texture to set moods and accent emotions. The movie also stars Aidan Quinn, Julia Roberts, and Stephen Rea. The digital video disc includes a 50-minute BBC documentary on the making of the movie. --Jim Emerson

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Customer Reviews

55 Reviews

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

Average Customer Review

4.2 out of 5 stars (55 customer reviews)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Something else altogether!, May 29 2004

By

Kitty Burnell (Tipperary, Ireland.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Michael Collins (Widescreen) (DVD)

I'd usually steer well clear of films with alot of death in them (half because it turns my stomach, and half because it's so fake) but Michael Collins has to be an exception. This film is just so *real* in some parts. You can credibly believe the cruelty being doled out by both sides - neither Irish or English side is idolized as being the righteous one - and the pure shock will have you shaking just as much as the characters on screen.

The relationships here are beautiful, whether they're platonic (Michael's dealings with Harry, his best friend, and De Valera who in certain places would have you believe that they are like brothers) or romantic (with Kitty Keirnan) and the reactions of the actors are fantastic - especially De Valera (Alan Rickman)

However, if you're looking for historical accuracy... read the history first. The film takes plenty of liberties, to the extent of having one attack in Croke Park (Pairc Ui Crochaigh) that never actually happened and inaccuracies in the manner of some deaths.

And good gracious, someone kill Julia Robert's voice coach!

If you'd like to sit down with a moving film that never lets up, Michael Collins is perfect ^^;;

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Utter nonsense, Nov 30 2001

By

Andrew Magowan (BELFAST, CO DOWN United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Michael Collins (Widescreen) (DVD)

This film really is appalingly bad!Badly researched,badly scripted and badly cast.If you want an utterly bias account of the easter rising,buy this,if you don't want a completely bias account,read a history book!AVOID!!!

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5.0 out of 5 stars A Superb Film, May 4 2004

By

deceased "left years ago" (Paiute, NV, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Michael Collins (Widescreen) (DVD)

I am not qualified to argue the history of modern Ireland, but have a general understanding of it and have experienced British arrogance first hand. No wonder this movie offends Anglophiles. Liam Neeson should have won an Oscar for his portrayal of freedom fighter Michael Collins. The acting and scenery are fantastic and I feel this movie captures the Irish soul. Critics are reduced to sniping at Julia Roberts Irish accent, but she does a fine job overall. If you liked Braveheart, then you will probably enjoy Michael Collins. I came away from this film thinking that Michael Collins is Ireland's greatest hero and would like to know how Irish citizens view the "Big Fellow".

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Eire gu Braugh
Liem Neeson is absolutely magnificent. The movie is heart-joltingly rivetting. If you are interested in Irish History at all, you need to see this movie.

Published on July 16 2004 by Piping Davey

1.0 out of 5 stars Shallow and inaccurate
Set just after the 1916 Easter Rebellion in Dublin, Neil Jordan's film follows the life and times of Irish revolutionary Michael Collins (Liam Neeson), detailing his relationships... Read more

Published on Mar 28 2004 by Declan J Connaughton