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Michael Collins was part of the ëTrue Storyí films that comes around now and then that shows us the nothing to do with history, but shows us how the wrongdoings of Hollywood and their cannibalistic ways.
Luckily for this film this all seems to be left out and the plot appears to be unhampered with in any way. After the success of ëInterview with a Vampireí, Neil Jordan leaped from horror to drama and it paid off undoubtedly.
Set at the beginning of the 20th century when things canít get any disorderly in the Republic of Ireland one man steps up to bring an empire to itís knees and to bring peace to the country he has grown to love, the name of that man was Michael Collins. From the first scene with the guns blazing to the final scene of crowds weeping for the man that brought life to their country, we are presented with some of the finest moments in filming history.
The film takes us through the length that one man was willing to go to for no matter what cause it might be. Played by the magnificent Liam Neeson who showed us his acting abilities in the outstanding ëSchindlers Listí, Michael Collins is a film of romance, betrayal, patriotism and a fight for justice. Born on the 16th October 1890 Michael Collins was an inspiration to his country and to the world entire.
After the first attempts of freedom failing Michaels ëbossí (Alan Rickman) is taken to a prison only to be broken out a while later by the one and only Collins, after being freed he begins to notice the sheer abilities that the planned insurrection were capable of. Through sheer determination, perseverance and the use of explosives his organization were able to bring the British Empire to itís knees and finally give them what the had been fighting for, there freedom.
Now if the film was just to based around this then although it would have been still ultimately satisfying it would have lost the plot of a history lesson. This meant a love interest would have to be mentioned in the film who is starred by Julia Roberts. Although a big star even at this time, she has little to do with the story and mostly is not involved. Her character was something used as a catharsis to make the audience forget the problems of life around Collins during his moments of need.
Once the war against the British Empire is finished the IRA split into pro-Treaty or anti-Treaty forces. Many followed Collins, accepting that the Treaty gave the country the freedom to win freedom. The other anti-Treaty forces became known as the Irregulars due to their lack of soldiers.
A political competition breaks out between the forces and puts a lot of pressure on to Collins, but nothing could have made this man quit and even when he couldnít get the result his bossí needed he continued using anything possible to bring justice to his country.
Unfortunately unlike Walt Disney films not all stories have a happy ending and this was no exception.
Warned not to go, he told his companion, ëThey wouldn't shoot me in my own county.í Some of his last words proved prophetic. Depressed and ill, he set out, some say, to try to end the fighting. At any rate, he visited several anti-Treaty men as well as inspecting various barracks. On the last day of his life, 22 August 1922, he set out from Cork in a convoy. He stopped at Woodfield, and there in the Four Alls, the pub situated across the road from the house where his mother had been born, he stood his family and escort to the local brew. On the return trip they again passed through Brandon. Michael Collins had only twenty minutes more to live. Around eight o'clock, his convoy was ambushed at a place known as Beal na Blath. Only one man was killed, Michael Collins. It is thought that Irregulars did the shooting, but some say that it might have been his own men. To this day, there is controversy about what actually happened.
Stunned that anything could have happened to 'the Big Fellow' whose fame was, by now, legendary, Collins' men brought his body back to Cork where it was shipped to Dublin. His body lay in state for three days in the rotunda. Tens of thousands filed past his casket to pay their respects, and even more lined the Dublin streets as the cortege made its way to Glasnevin for the burial.
There have been many famous Irish patriots before him, and a few since, but none conjures up as much emotion and mystery as the man who, in a span of six short years, brought a country from bondage to a position where she could win her freedom. There are few left alive who remember Michael Collins, but his shape looms large on the Irish horizon.
ëMichael Collins was 31 when he diedí
ëHalf a million people attended his funeral in Dublin. All parties to the conflict, both British and Irish, were temporarily united in griefí
ëIn his lifetime he had bought the British Empire to a stalemate, negotiated the first Treaty of Independence for Ireland and overseen its transaction of democracy.
ëHe died paradoxically, in an attempt to finally remove the gun from Irish politicsí
ëIt is my considered opinion that fullness to time of history will reach the greatness of Michael Collins, and it will be at my expenseí
Eamon de Vallers, President of Ireland, 1966
Michael Collins was part of the ëTrue Storyí films that comes around now and then that shows us the nothing to do with history, but shows us how the wrongdoings of Hollywood and their cannibalistic ways.
Luckily for this film this all seems to be left out and the plot appears to be unhampered with in any way. After the success of ëInterview with a Vampireí, Neil Jordan leaped from horror to drama and it paid off undoubtedly.
Set at the beginning of the 20th century when things canít get any disorderly in the Republic of Ireland one man steps up to bring an empire to itís knees and to bring peace to the country he has grown to love, the name of that man was Michael Collins. From the first scene with the guns blazing to the final scene of crowds weeping for the man that brought life to their country, we are presented with some of the finest moments in filming history.
The film takes us through the length that one man was willing to go to for no matter what cause it might be. Played by the magnificent Liam Neeson who showed us his acting abilities in the outstanding ëSchindlers Listí, Michael Collins is a film of romance, betrayal, patriotism and a fight for justice. Born on the 16th October 1890 Michael Collins was an inspiration to his country and to the world entire.
After the first attempts of freedom failing Michaels ëbossí (Alan Rickman) is taken to a prison only to be broken out a while later by the one and only Collins, after being freed he begins to notice the sheer abilities that the planned insurrection were capable of. Through sheer determination, perseverance and the use of explosives his organization were able to bring the British Empire to itís knees and finally give them what the had been fighting for, there freedom.
Now if the film was just to based around this then although it would have been still ultimately satisfying it would have lost the plot of a history lesson. This meant a love interest would have to be mentioned in the film who is starred by Julia Roberts. Although a big star even at this time, she has little to do with the story and mostly is not involved. Her character was something used as a catharsis to make the audience forget the problems of life around Collins during his moments of need.
Once the war against the British Empire is finished the IRA split into pro-Treaty or anti-Treaty forces. Many followed Collins, accepting that the Treaty gave the country the freedom to win freedom. The other anti-Treaty forces became known as the Irregulars due to their lack of soldiers.
A political competition breaks out between the forces and puts a lot of pressure on to Collins, but nothing could have made this man quit and even when he couldnít get the result his bossí needed he continued using anything possible to bring justice to his country.
Unfortunately unlike Walt Disney films not all stories have a happy ending and this was no exception.
Warned not to go, he told his companion, ëThey wouldn't shoot me in my own county.í Some of his last words proved prophetic. Depressed and ill, he set out, some say, to try to end the fighting. At any rate, he visited several anti-Treaty men as well as inspecting various barracks. On the last day of his life, 22 August 1922, he set out from Cork in a convoy. He stopped at Woodfield, and there in the Four Alls, the pub situated across the road from the house where his mother had been born, he stood his family and escort to the local brew. On the return trip they again passed through Brandon. Michael Collins had only twenty minutes more to live. Around eight o'clock, his convoy was ambushed at a place known as Beal na Blath. Only one man was killed, Michael Collins. It is thought that Irregulars did the shooting, but some say that it might have been his own men. To this day, there is controversy about what actually happened.
Stunned that anything could have happened to 'the Big Fellow' whose fame was, by now, legendary, Collins' men brought his body back to Cork where it was shipped to Dublin. His body lay in state for three days in the rotunda. Tens of thousands filed past his casket to pay their respects, and even more lined the Dublin streets as the cortege made its way to Glasnevin for the burial.
There have been many famous Irish patriots before him, and a few since, but none conjures up as much emotion and mystery as the man who, in a span of six short years, brought a country from bondage to a position where she could win her freedom. There are few left alive who remember Michael Collins, but his shape looms large on the Irish horizon.
ëMichael Collins was 31 when he diedí
ëHalf a million people attended his funeral in Dublin. All parties to the conflict, both British and Irish, were temporarily united in griefí
ëIn his lifetime he had bought the British Empire to a stalemate, negotiated the first Treaty of Independence for Ireland and overseen its transaction of democracy.
ëHe died paradoxically, in an attempt to finally remove the gun from Irish politicsí
ëIt is my considered opinion that fullness to time of history will reach the greatness of Michael Collins, and it will be at my expenseí
Eamon de Vallers, President of Ireland, 1966
> Nice post Tom...it was dog-darn good. Nah, I'll be serious now...:D It was an
> excellent piece of writing and it was damn long too!
Yes I seem to have a problem with keeping my posts short, I think it discourages people from reading them and then no one replies. Apart from yourself of course : - )
Good post Tom.
A man like Michael Collins is a kind of inspiration, in a sense. He is a kind of
idol throughout the world. People like that should be remembered for years to
come.
I felt the same feeling, but to be honest and I am sure it will be the way with all of you, I'd never heard of him before the film was made. The film was superb though and shouldn't go unmissed but I still feel that the true story is just as heroic.
> Very long post. Keeps your word-count at that admirable level. Jolly well done
> for still being able to post of your high word-count to post ratio.
Ummmm don't suppose by any chance you would have actually read that topic? And when I saw your name as the last person to post in this thread I was surprised not to see the words 'Go away Dogfather', but then we all have to move on sooner or later.
Have you seen the film?
Every time I read one, I want to go out and buy another film!
Stoppit I tells ya!
:-)