Michael Collins

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1:43

Michael Collins

R

1996

2h 12m

History

Drama

Biography

Mystery & Thriller

War

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

78%

Tomatometer

49 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

In the early 20th century, Michael Collins (Liam Neeson) leads the Irish Republican Army with the help of his friends Harry Boland (Aidan Quinn) and Eamon de Valera (Alan Rickman), in a violent battle for Ireland's independence from Britain. But, when he fears the defeat of his revolution, Collins negotiates a treaty with the British, deeming him a traitor to the IRA. When he receives orders to murder his friends, Collins must decide where his loyalties lie.

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Critics Consensus

As impressively ambitious as it is satisfyingly impactful, Michael Collins honors its subject's remarkable achievements with a magnetic performance from Liam Neeson in the title role.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Feb 26, 2018

Clearly, this is a subject Jordan cares about passionately, but he hasn't found a form to make us share his passion. Unless you come to Michael Collins with strong feelings about its hero, it's unlikely you will be deeply engaged.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Mar 3, 2016

4/5

[Neeson] is superb as the principled, steely yet romantic action hero of Neil Jordan's film, which has been re-released for the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising in 1916.

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Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

Mar 28, 2010

There are pain and honor in [Neeson's] performance, and they constantly rise up to redeem a film that is less probing, less thoughtful than its director's claims and aspirations for it.

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Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

Nov 26, 2022

4/4

Jordan’s attention to detail and his ability to paint enemies and friends in differing, complex shades, exemplifies why his work as a director was frequently and criminally underrated.

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Tom Cassidy

Common Sense Media

Dec 8, 2021

3/5

Leaders who help bring about huge change are often gifted with a charisma that will spur a nation into action. Liam Neeson, as Irish revolutionary Michael Collins, has just that.

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Robin Holabird

Robin Holabird

Aug 11, 2021

The script and Neeson's passionate performance demonstrate a case where the good intention of heroes seeking freedom gets thwarted by political maneuverings.

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Par H

@Parhwy Mar 2, 2026

You must ask whether a film about de Velara could have been as iconic as the one called Michael Collins - because, honestly, sometimes the story of Ireland is about the risk-taking bold folk versus the winners. Or what it even means to win given Britain still has their boot on the head of Ireland in the form of Northern Ireland. This film punches you with pithy scenes to tell you that independence is not an overnight thing. "Do dhúiche bhreá i seilbh méirleach".

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lawrenceb56 T

@Trexian Dec 13, 2024

My first thought that was that Julia Roberts was ruining this movie with her bland Character and subpar acting talent. But nobody was good in this movie and by halfway through, she was not much worse than anybody else.

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Lanfranco C

@Lanfrancobz Sep 1, 2024

The tragic birth of a Free State.

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Jelisije J

@jjosifovic Feb 16, 2024

An excellent Biopic of a man who fought for Ireland Independence and died for it.

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Lothburke

@RT65843401 Sep 17, 2023

You'll never beat the Irish 🇮🇪 100%

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Dom

@RT63119453 May 21, 2023

Good movie, although the love triangle is pretty annoying.

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Michael 'Mick' Collins

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Michael Collins: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In the early 20th century, Michael Collins (Liam Neeson) leads the Irish Republican Army with the help of his friends Harry Boland (Aidan Quinn) and Eamon de Valera (Alan Rickman), in a violent battle for Ireland's independence from Britain. But, when he fears the defeat of his revolution, Collins negotiates a treaty with the British, deeming him a traitor to the IRA. When he receives orders to murder his friends, Collins must decide where his loyalties lie.

Director: Neil Jordan
Producer: Stephen Woolley
Screenwriter: Neil Jordan
Production Co: Geffen Pictures, Bord Scannán na hÉireann / The Irish Film Board, Warner Brothers
Rating: R
Genre: History, Drama, Biography, Mystery & Thriller, War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 5, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 31, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $11.1M
Runtime: 2h 12m
Sound Mix: Surround

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