For many years now, Liam Neeson has been almost synonymous with gritty, no-nonsense action thrillers, often portraying ageing men of few words who take justice into their own hands. Yet before becoming the go-to figure for such roles, the acclaimed Irish actor demonstrated a deep interest in historical epics — whether emotionally weighty like Schindler’s List, adventurous like Rob Roy, or charged with drama like The Bounty.
One particularly ambitious period drama in which Neeson starred alongside Hollywood heavyweights such as Alan Rickman, Julia Roberts, and Troy’s Brendan Gleeson is Michael Collins. Despite its impressive $25 million budget, a star-studded cast, and two Academy Award nominations (for Best Cinematography and Best Original Dramatic Score), the film has largely faded from public memory. For those keen to revisit this cinematic piece or discover it for the first time, Michael Collins is available on streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video.
What Michael Collins Is About
Set in Dublin in 1916, the film opens with the violent suppression of the Easter Rising by British forces. The rebellion is crushed, its leaders either executed or imprisoned — among them, Michael Collins (played by Neeson), a determined young member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood. Upon his release, Collins resumes his political struggle, educating the oppressed Irish population in the art of underground resistance.
His aim is to make continued British rule untenable through relentless guerrilla tactics, thereby forcing negotiations for independence. However, when Collins eventually agrees to a compromise with the British, he clashes bitterly with his former comrade-in-arms, Eamon de Valera (Alan Rickman), a rift that will have far-reaching consequences.
Striking Visuals, Irish History, and Controversial Reception
Julia Roberts portrays Kitty Kiernan, Collins’ fiancée and the inspiration behind the name of numerous Irish pubs. Brendan Gleeson takes on the role of Liam Tobin, an intelligence officer for the IRA. The film was both written and directed by Neil Jordan, renowned for his Oscar-winning thriller The Crying Game and his celebrated adaptation of Interview with the Vampire.
Although Michael Collins garnered praise for its sweeping cinematography and evocative set pieces, director Neil Jordan faced criticism for not delving deeply enough into the complex personality of the titular character. The official review from FILMSTARTS awarded the film a respectable 3 out of 5 stars, while also noting its tendency to glorify Collins’ actions to an arguably excessive degree.
Despite this mixed critical reception, Michael Collins remains a visually striking portrayal of one of Ireland’s most pivotal historical figures — a film that blends drama, politics, and personal conflict on an epic scale, even if time has relegated it to the shadows of more widely remembered historical dramas.
