Michael Collins

Michael Collins is a historical drama about the Irish revolutionary leader of the same name and the fight for Irish independence in the early twentieth century. After the failed Easter Rising of 1916, Collins is imprisoned by the British, and there he meets Eamon de Valera, a leading figure in the underground movement, and the young Harry Boland. Once released, Collins concludes that the struggle has to be waged differently, and he becomes a central strategist in the campaign that leads to the establishment of the Irish Free State, only to find himself denounced by those who want a fully independent republic rather than the compromise settlement.

Neil Jordan directed and wrote the film, his seventh feature, following Interview with the Vampire and preceding In Dreams. Liam Neeson plays Collins, with Aidan Quinn, Stephen Rea, Alan Rickman, Julia Roberts and Ian Hart in supporting roles. The production was a British, Irish and American co-production made for about 25 million dollars. It earned roughly 17 million dollars worldwide, so it did not recover its budget during its theatrical run.

Reception was divided: on TMDB it holds 6.9 out of 10 from 534 votes, while critics gave it 6.9 out of 10 across 50 reviews, placing professional and audience assessments at a similar level. The film runs 132 minutes.