Michael Collins plays a crucial role in the establishment of the Irish Free State in the 1920s, but becomes vilified by those hoping to create a completely independent Irish republic.
Acting
Neeson commands every frame; Rickman simmers with icy resentment
Direction
Jordan's ambivalent love letter to a complicated legend
Cinematography
Dublin streets drenched in period atmosphere and moral grey
Director
Neil Jordan
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The real IRA threatened to disrupt filming; Jordan received a .38 bullet in the mail with his name on it. Method production design?
Released during the fragile Northern Ireland peace process, the film reignited bitter debates about whether Collins was pragmatist or traitor—some Irish cinemas reportedly had audience fistfights.
IE
GB
