Michael Collins
This is a historical drama in film treatment of Michael Collins' life during the Anglo Irish War and the Irish Civil War. Collins, for those who might not know, was the military genius behind the IRA's terrorist campaign against the British, and also the subsequent military leader of the Irish Free State's successful struggle against the Irish Republican Army. For those unfamiliar with the history of those two struggles, that may be a bit confusing, in which case this film actually isn't 100% historically accurate.
Even so, it does a pretty good job of portraying the events from about 1916 through 1922, including contrasting Collins role in these events with those of Éamon de Valera, which is not an easy task really. De Valera comes out the worse in the treatment, which he tends to also in objective histories. The film does push this a bit further than it should, however, as it dramatically portrays de Valera as directly involved in Collins roadside assassination which is not true. De Valera undoubtedly knew nothing about that until after it had occurred.
Otherwise, keeping in mind the limitations of film, this film does a really nice job of portraying very complicated events, including events which were really psychological in nature. Irish penetration of the English police is well done. The terrorist nature of the IRA's role in the Ango Irish War is well portrayed. Material details are correct for the film.
This 1996 film is little known in the US, which is too bad as it is a good film with a good cast. Liam Neeson portrays Collins, whom he somewhat resembles. Alan Rickman portrays de Valera, whom he also somewhat resembles. Worth seeing.
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