The General

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Sep 23, 2026 The General = a *4* star Movie! See more

Glen C @RT69594869 Aug 15, 2025 Well acted and, to a certain extent, well directed and edited. The script was cleverly crafted around the Picaresque conceit that Cahill was simply the nail that refused to be knocked flush. I have no doubt that the real Cahill was a charismatic and highly intelligent man, but he was a criminal capable of terrifying intimidation and acts of violence. I would recommend this film on its merits, but also implore the viewer to examine his documented crimes to avoid the romanticised perception that Boorman aimed to project. See more

Apr 12, 2015 Great acting, funny plot. John Voigt and Brendan Gleeson face off as "The general" and Irish criminal robs everything imaginable, from pennies in an arcade to a beautiful Vermeer. He lives with two sisters and sleeps with both, robs presents for his nine children by the two women. Seems like the ideal life, but Boorman does show how the likeable Cahill spends a lot of time in lock up, and has to deal with henchmen who are drug addicts and incestuous molesters. This modern Robin Hood, who wins his community over by gifts of food and diapers, falls afoul of the Irish Republican Army, the bête noire of the author of the book the movie is based on. Fast paced, lol-worthy. See more

Jul 22, 2014 It's overlong and surprisingly boring, but The General is a well-acted, witty re-telling of a modern Robin Hood. See more

Jun 26, 2014 Not sure why this film is in black and white, and i am definitely sure this drama makes some really bad choices with the music. Its like bad 80's porn music. besieds brendan gleeson being great there is nothing good about this movie. Maybe i have seen to many films similar to this that have come after that are better. See more

Apr 28, 2014 Written and directed by John Boorman, (Deliverance (1972), Excalibur (1981) and Hope and Glory (1987)), this crime drama was based on the true life story of Martin Cahill, who was one of Ireland's most notorious criminals during the 1980's. Shot in a very stark and moody black and white, Boorman makes a very atmospheric and tense drama, which has some very good performances throughout. Martin Cahill (Brendan Gleeson), whose daring robberies made him a hero with the Dublin underworld as well as the masses. However, his activities attract the attention of the Garda Síochána, led by Inspector Ned Kenny (Jon Voight), who wants to see Cahill brought to justice, however, he always manages to get away with it, and despite some small sentences, he's never brought to justice for his crimes, and the Garda had Cahill under watch. But Cahill always managed to get out and do more crimes, but he's on borrowed time. The film came about as Boorman was a victim of Cahill's crimewave, (he made off with a gold record Boorman had for Deliverance), but it manages to be compelling and a good picture of the Irish underbelly, and one of it's most notorious criminals/heroes, and it helped put Gleeson on the map in Hollywood. See more

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The General

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