Michael Collins

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1:43

Michael Collins

R

Released Sep 5, 1996

2h 12m

History

Drama

Biography

Mystery & Thriller

War

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Popcornmeter

78%

Tomatometer

50 Reviews

84%

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10,000+ Ratings

In the early 20th century, Michael Collins (Liam Neeson) leads the Irish Republican Army with the help of his friends Harry Boland (Aidan Quinn) and Eamon de Valera (Alan Rickman), in a violent battle for Ireland's independence from Britain. But, when he fears the defeat of his revolution, Collins negotiates a treaty with the British, deeming him a traitor to the IRA. When he receives orders to murder his friends, Collins must decide where his loyalties lie.

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Critics Consensus

As impressively ambitious as it is satisfyingly impactful, Michael Collins honors its subject's remarkable achievements with a magnetic performance from Liam Neeson in the title role.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Clearly, this is a subject Jordan cares about passionately, but he hasn't found a form to make us share his passion. Unless you come to Michael Collins with strong feelings about its hero, it's unlikely you will be deeply engaged.

Feb 26, 2018

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Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

[Neeson] is superb as the principled, steely yet romantic action hero of Neil Jordan's film, which has been re-released for the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising in 1916.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 3, 2016

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Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

There are pain and honor in [Neeson's] performance, and they constantly rise up to redeem a film that is less probing, less thoughtful than its director's claims and aspirations for it.

Mar 28, 2010

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Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

Jordan’s attention to detail and his ability to paint enemies and friends in differing, complex shades, exemplifies why his work as a director was frequently and criminally underrated.

Rated: 4/4

Nov 26, 2022

Full Review

Tom Cassidy

Common Sense Media

Leaders who help bring about huge change are often gifted with a charisma that will spur a nation into action. Liam Neeson, as Irish revolutionary Michael Collins, has just that.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 8, 2021

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Robin Holabird

Robin Holabird

The script and Neeson's passionate performance demonstrate a case where the good intention of heroes seeking freedom gets thwarted by political maneuverings.

Aug 11, 2021

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Audience Member

My first thought that was that Julia Roberts was ruining this movie with her bland Character and subpar acting talent. But nobody was good in this movie and by halfway through, she was not much worse than anybody else.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

12/13/24

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Lanfranco C

The tragic birth of a Free State.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/01/24

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Jelisije J

An excellent Biopic of a man who fought for Ireland Independence and died for it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/16/24

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Lothburke

You'll never beat the Irish 🇮🇪 100%

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/17/23

Full Review

Charles T

Fantastic movie. Incredible story. Wish Liam Neeson would try something like this again. He's such a great actor when he's trying.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/06/23

Full Review

Dom

Good movie, although the love triangle is pretty annoying.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/21/23

Full Review

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Neil Jordan

Director

Liam Neeson

Michael 'Mick' Collins

Aidan Quinn

Harry Boland

Stephen Rea

Ned Broy

Alan Rickman

Eamon de Valera

Julia Roberts

Kitty Kiernan

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Michael Collins: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In the early 20th century, Michael Collins (Liam Neeson) leads the Irish Republican Army with the help of his friends Harry Boland (Aidan Quinn) and Eamon de Valera (Alan Rickman), in a violent battle for Ireland's independence from Britain. But, when he fears the defeat of his revolution, Collins negotiates a treaty with the British, deeming him a traitor to the IRA. When he receives orders to murder his friends, Collins must decide where his loyalties lie.

Director: Neil Jordan
Producer: Stephen Woolley
Screenwriter: Neil Jordan
Production Co: Warner Brothers, Bord Scannán na hÉireann / The Irish Film Board, Geffen Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: History, Drama, Biography, Mystery & Thriller, War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 5, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 31, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $11.1M
Runtime: 2h 12m
Sound Mix: Surround

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