| | | Ireland 1916. His dreams inspired hope. His words ignited passion. His courage forged a nation's destiny.
Features: DVD, Pan and Scan (TV Format), Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 1.85:1, Notes, Spanish, Subtitled
Michael Collins, the man and the movie, stands tall. The man is a hero whose fighting tactics became a model for other 20th century struggles, a statesman who negotiated Ireland's break with England, a political martyr slain for the great cause he lived and breathed. The movie is an epic triumph "as brave and heartfelt as Braveheart (Jack Mathews, Newsday. "I will never make a more important film," Academy Award-winner Neil Jordan (The Crying Game) says. Only time will tell if he makes a more exciting one. Michael Collins roils with the passions of war furiously waged and peace desperately sought. The cast, including Liam Neeson, Aidan Quinn, Stephen Rea, Alan Rickman and Julia Roberts and the behind-the-scenes production team make Michael Collions a man and a movie you won't soon forget.
"Neil Jordan's epic...is stirring, romantic, mythical--an aesthetic and poetic success." Lloyd Rose, Washington Post
"If you liked Braveheart, you'll love Michael Collins." Bill Diehl, ABC Radio
Editor's Note
Starting with Ireland's bloody Easter Rebellion of 1916 and ending with his untimely death, this brilliantly photographed epic from director Neil Jordan tells the charged story of Michael "Mickey" Collins. An IRA founder whose innovative guerrilla tactics succeeded in bringing freedom from British rule, Collins remains a controversial but much respected political figure, who is skillfully embodied in the film by Liam Neeson. Aidan Quinn plays his longtime friend Harry, and Julia Roberts, sporting a nice brogue and lovely period costumes, is Katie, the woman they both love. Jordan staged most of the battles, riots, ceremonies, and speeches at their actual locations in Ireland with a cast of thousands and a great eye for period detail. The result is a film that is both historically evocative and stunningly beautiful thanks to the breathtaking cinematography of Chris Menges. The film is also surprisingly nonjudgmental in its depiction of Collins's appalling but inarguably successful methods of "bloody mayhem." Stephen Rea and Alan Rickman costar, with Elliot Goldenthal contributing a rich Oscar-nominated score.
Plot Summary
MICHAEL COLLINS is a film biography of the notorious Irish freedom fighter, a major figure in Ireland's struggle for independence from England during the 1920s. Neil Jordan's tale chronicles how the passionate Collins spurred his countrymen to craftily ambush and battle the British.
| Features | Subtitles: English, Spanish, French | | Scene Access | | Theatrical Trailer | | Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround, French Dolby Digital Surround | | The South Bank Show Documentary With Neil Jordan Interview And Archival Footage Of Michael Collins | | Interactive Menus | | Production Notes |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: Warner |
| Release Date: 2/14/2006 |
| Running Time: 133 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 1996 | | Catalog ID: 14205 | | UPC: 00085391420521 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English [CC], English, French Dubbed | | Available Subtitles: English, French, Spanish | | Video: Color |
Aspect Ratio | | 1.85:1 |
| Cast & Crew
| Awards |
Oscar (1997) | | | Chris Menges, Nominee, Best Cinematogtaphy | | | Elliot Goldenthal, Nominee, Best Original Dramatic Score | |
Golden Globe (1997) | | | Liam Neeson, Nominee, Best Actor In A Dramatic Motion Picture | | | Elliot Goldenthal, Nominee, Best Original Motion Picture Score |
| Memorable Quotes| "I hate them for making hate necessary."----Michael Collins (Liam Neeson) | | "You told me once I was good at bloody mayhem...and that's what I'm scared of, because once I start, there'll be no stopping me."----Michael to Harry (Aidan Quinn) |
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| | Professional Reviews | Rolling Stone
"...A passionate, probing epic..." 10/31/1996 p.76Sight and Sound
"...[A] powerful film..." 11/01/1996 p.55-6 Entertainment Weekly
"...A classic performance [from Neeson]....[Roberts is] charming..." -- Rating: B 11/01/1996 p.49 Variety
"...Intelligent, enormously accomplished....Menges' images are seriously artful yet tremendously vital, and it is great to see a master doing what he does best..." 09/02/1996 Los Angeles Times
"...An epic true story, the very stuff of cinema, that has been transferred to film with matching intelligence, skill and elan..." 10/11/1996 p.F1 Chicago Sun-Times
"...[Neeson gives] a performance charged with zest and conviction..." 10/25/1996 p.37 Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide 7 of 10
Neeson is excellent and surrounded by a first-rate cast in this persuasive, believable and violent period piece... - Bill Diehl
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