FemaleFirst.co.uk: DVD: Michael Collins [DVD] [1996]

Michael Collins [DVD] [1996]
enlarge	Director: Neil Jordan Actors: Liam Neeson, Aidan Quinn, Julia Roberts, Ian Hart, Richard Ingram Studio: Warner Home Video Category: DVD List Price: ~~£13.99~~ Buy New: £4.03 as of 25/11/2009 05:09 GMT details You Save: £9.96 (71%) New (16) Used (1) from £3.80 Seller: selectcheaper Rating: 19 reviews Sales Rank: 2232 Format: Full Screen, PAL Languages: English (Subtitled), Arabic (Subtitled), English (Original Language) Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over Region: 2 Discs: 1 Number Of Discs: 1 Running Time: 127 Minutes Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2 Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6 EAN: 7321900142052 ASIN: B00004CX8H Theatrical Release Date: October 11, 1996 Release Date: September 25, 1998 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days


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Editorial Reviews: Amazon.co.uk Review A heartfelt epic from Irish director Neal Jordan (IThe Crying Game/I, IInterview with the Vampire/I), IMichael Collins/I is the biography of the charismatic and controversial Irish rebel leader who led the fight for independence from Britain. Among the most beautiful and atmospherically photographed movies of the 1990s, IMichael Collins/I is also a rich and intelligent study of the nature of politics and leadership: the IRA spokesman, full of fiery convictions, eventually gives way to the more mature negotiator who strives to reach a compromise solution and is politically undone in the process. Liam Neeson gives a grand and towering performance as Collins, but for all the character's legendary, heroic, or otherwise larger-than-life attributes, Jordan and Neeson also keep him human. This is sweeping historical filmmaking of the kind we haven't seen since the heyday of David Lean, but with Jordan's characteristic touches of complexity and ambivalence. I--Jim Emerson/I

Customer Reviews: Showing reviews 1-5 of 19 1 2 3 4 Next » Ignore the pedants, a great film about a great revolutionary September 7, 2004 32 out of 35 found this review helpful Ignore the views that say this film is "inaccurate" or "biased" or "incomplete" - this is always said of historical movies.pNeil Jordan and his cast succeed admirably in conveying the smells, passions and dilemmas of a turbulent time, and in showing the vastness of Collins' achievements. Collins' commitment to Irish freedom was enfused with a deep realism rather than a sentimentalism, and his ruthlessness and bravery in war were matched only by a deep humanity, an almost boyish vulnerability and commitment to making peace.pThe loss of Collins was a major one for Ireland and the Irish, and yet his spirit and principles cast a longer shadow than those that opposed him and those who killed him. One of the few good movies about Irish history November 15, 2005 Trevor Willsmer (London, England) 32 out of 36 found this review helpful Michael Cimino was one of many who tried to bring the story of Irish revolutionary Michael Collins to the screen and on the evidence of the mess he made of Salvatore HGiuliano#x27;s story in The Siclian (and the bizarre gay love triangle in his proposed version) it#x27;s a good job he didn#x27;t. Kevin Costner#x27;s attempts resulted in some equally simplistic scripts that enshrined cliche over history before Warners decided to drop his version in favor of Neil Jordan#x27;s long-planned film. Even if they were motivated more by the success of Interview With the Vampire than the material, they made the right choice: Michael Collins is easily one of Jordan#x27;s very best films and a strikingly intelligent piece of political cinema. There are changes for dramatic purposes, but these generally seem made for sound reasons and don#x27;t change the essential truth of the Irish Republican hero who became a scapegoat for de Valera#x27;s failure to gain a Republic and ended up being assassinated by his former colleagues in Ireland#x27;s forgotten and bloody civil war. pClocking in at little over 130 minutes, Jordan keeps a sense of momentum that occasionally loses the odd detail that would be helpful to audiences unfamiliar with Irish history (such as the way the popular hatred towards the rebels who fought in the Easter Rising was turned around by the disastrous decision of the British to execute its leaders) but which still manages to find room for character as well, personalizing the tragedy surprisingly effectively. One of the last historical epics to use real sets and real extras instead of CGI, the film feels grounded in reality while still being an enthralling and cinematic political thriller. Sinead O#x27;Connor#x27;s screaming over the assassination scene is unhelpful, but even that can#x27;t destroy the film. pKeeping his promise to cast Liam Neeson despite heavy lobbying from Michael Collins lookalike Kenneth Branagh (who lacks the presence necessary for the part), Jordan gets good rather than great performances from his leads, although Alan Rickman nails de Valera#x27;s reptilian and hesitant delivery and Ian Hart impresses as one of Collins#x27; lieutenants. The unwelcome presence of Julia Roberts threatens to turn the film into Hollywood but thankfully her extremely limited abilities aren#x27;t stretched to breaking point. Probably the only film about the IRA that protestants and Brits can see without bringing Molotov cocktails to the cinema, it#x27;s release fell foul of America#x27;s constant denial of the complexities of the situation, Ireland#x27;s denial of the civil war and the rest of the world#x27;s horror at the IRA breaking their ceasefire without warning and killing a little girl in the process. Rarely revived, it#x27;s definitely worth rediscovering. pThe DVD comes with an excellent South Bank Show that fills in many of the film#x27;s historical gaps, including archive footage of Collins himself (who really was a dead ringer for Branagh), although it is irritatingly a flipper disc. Marvellously entertaining and thought provoking! November 27, 2002 14 out of 17 found this review helpful This story of Collins, the Irish rebel leader who really emergedbrstrongly after the 1916 rebellion, is quite excellent and reallybrfirst-class entertainment.Although historically inaccurate in some minor detail, it really gives a 'feel' for the period and transports the viewer back in time.Liam Neeson is superb in the title role and gets brilliant support in the form of Aidan Quinn(a man originally from my home town),who portrays Collin's best friend but subsequent arch-enemy after the signing of the ill-fated 'treaty'.The only complaint I would have about this film is the fact that I think Julia Roberts was completely mis-cast and unsuitable for her role.br Despite this I would give this a thorough recommendation and say that at this price it is the best value around.Heartily recommended!! Michael Collins is no Jerry Maguire! February 22, 2001 10 out of 12 found this review helpful Michael Collins was one of the best films I saw in recent years. Directed by Neil Jordan, it stars the wonderful Liam Neeson, the lovely Julia Roberts, the fabulous Alan Rickman, and the amazing Stephen Rea. p pThe film is about, as you can probably guess, Michael Collins, the Easter Rising 1916, and the struggle for Home Rule. pThe audience should be familiar with the story before they watch this, otherwise they might think it confusing here and there. The footage of Collins' funeral at the end is amazing, much better than if they'd staged a funeral. Watching this picture makes you realise how rubbish all those other films you watch on telly at the weekends are. Roberts and Rickman don't sound very Irish, but they try, and that at least makes you realise how dedicated they are to their work. pThe star of the film is Liam Neeson, who gives such a convincing performance you'd think it was Collins himself on the screen. Julia Roberts, who plays Kitty, is very likeable, and Alan Rickman, who plays DeValera, is very, well, unlikeable. Not to forget performances by Stephen Rea, Aidan Quinn and Ian Hart.pI cried when it was over, partly because it was a sad ending, but mostly just because it was over. If you want to see a film about the life of a hero, don't get Jerry Maguire, that's nothing like this. Watch history come to life and say to yourself at the end, 'Neil Jordan is a genius (sniffle)' A great film - should be watched by everyone November 4, 2008 Mr W (Manchester, England) 2 out of 3 found this review helpful 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. Showing reviews 1-5 of 19 1 2 3 4 Next »

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