DVD : Michael Collins [1996]

Rating: - WTF
This film is APPALLING. I have to admit i am writing a review but i could not stomach watching the film right to the very end (i watched at least 3\4 of it), i gave it a chance but in the end i had to turn it off. It made me want to vomit. I second the oppinion by some commentators on here that if you are interested in watching a film on this topic watch THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY, well cast, amazingly directed, beautifully shot, thoughtfull, researched, provoking, intelligent and touching - all the things this film was NOT!!! There really isn't alot more to comment on the horribly Hollywoodised cheesy badly acted Michael Collins except its embarrasingly embarrasingly bad... just don't bother.

---

Rating: - A great film - should be watched by everyone
This film has a real power to it, and presents a major historical figure in a way that is easy to appreciate. The acting and directing is superb and the film is very engrossing, and in some places extremely sad. I'd strongly recommend this.

---

Rating: - A true Masterpiece
The thing is,when you give reviews on a thing.You can only ever give a true account,as you see a thing yourself. This will be 7 times I have bought this DVD,as the first 6 were gifts,and I never got any complaints back from them. I notice that a few who have reviewed this DVD,have had a problem with the actors,(how they sound,or how they put it over). Well I can understand that,in a way.But if you can manage to look beyond all that,you will be able to enjoy a piece of Irelands history. I think it's a masterpiece on film,for those who can't find the time to read a book,and there are some good books out there on the subject. I remember the film,(The Vikings)where all the actors had an American Twang),but it managed to break the box office. So I will Say (You can put lipstick on a pig,but it's still a pig), And so don't let the actors,put you off.and miss out on a magnificent film. The Irish history realy dererves a look at,and I think we owe it to them. I hope my review helps.

---

Rating: - Depicts Run up to Irish Civil War
When I first saw this film I was not sure what to expect. Was it going to be a biased portrayal? Although some incidents were merged, I'm glad to say that I thought the film was good, with a powerful script, well directed and a superb performance by Alan Rickman as De Valera and Liam Neeson in the title role.

The direction of the film was well done, especially the scenes at the Four Courts in Dublin.

A recommended film, which I found to be very fair in the portrayal of incidents committed in the period of British rule and the subsequent civil war.

---

Rating: - I really wanted to love this film but.......
Any one who is interested in Irish history must surely love this film right???? Wrong! Unfortunately this film is, in my estimation as distinctly average.

Without doubt you can spend your time doing worse things that watching Michael Collins even if it is just for the fact that it could spark an interest in a piece of history that is not exactly front page news on the british side of the irish sea!

However the overwhelming feeling I was left with is that of a missed opportunity. Surely with the story already long written in history all it needed was good direction and casting to flesh it out into what could have been a wonderful piece of cinema.

This is exactly what is lacking here, the choice of casting was strange in that many of the more prominent actors in the film are not actually Irish! The Rickman and Roberts decision was misguided to say the least and despite being a great actor, Liam Neeson didnt seem to fit the part of collins.

Accents were also a major problem with Rickman sounding somewhere between German and English and Roberts managing to display aspects of every accent in the four provinces of Ireland in any one sentence!! Impressive yes but not really appropriate! Again even the leading man himself struggled to mould his usually prominent northern brogue into the very different Cork accent of Collins.

All of this plus some unconvincing acting from these very big names just gives an over all plastic and false feeling to the movie.

This is a fairly enjoyable film but unfortunately the history was not given the correct artistic treatment and respect to make it memorable.