Great Irish Films: Michael Collins (1996) – Ireland’s Epic Historical Drama

Michael Collins stands as one of the most ambitious and significant Irish films ever made, telling the story of the revolutionary leader who helped secure Irish independence but was tragically killed in the Civil War that followed. Director Neil Jordan’s sweeping historical epic brings to life one of Ireland’s most complex and controversial figures, with Liam Neeson delivering a powerful performance in the title role.

Key Facts:

• Released in 1996
• Directed by Neil Jordan
• Starring Liam Neeson, Aidan Quinn, Stephen Rea, Alan Rickman, and Julia Roberts
• Budget: $25 million
• Box Office: $28 million worldwide
• Won Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival
• Shot entirely in Ireland
• Premiered in Dublin on November 8, 1996

Film Overview:

Michael Collins opens in the aftermath of the 1916 Easter Rising, with Collins and his fellow revolutionaries emerging from the GPO into a devastated Dublin. The film then charts Collins’ transformation from a participant in traditional warfare to the architect of a new kind of fighting – urban guerrilla warfare. Through his development of an intelligence network and flying columns, Collins brings the mighty British Empire to the negotiating table.

The narrative weaves together the political and the personal, showing how Collins’ revolutionary work impacts his relationships. At the heart of the story is a complex love triangle between Collins, his best friend Harry Boland, and Kitty Kiernan, adding human drama to the political intrigue. The film builds toward the Treaty negotiations in London, where Collins faces the impossible choice between peace and the republic he fought for, leading to the tragic Civil War that would ultimately claim his life.

Jordan’s direction brings 1920s Dublin vividly to life, capturing both the excitement of revolution and its human cost. The film’s most powerful scenes include the Bloody Sunday sequence, showing Collins’ men systematically eliminating British intelligence agents across Dublin, and the tragic finale at Béal na Bláth, filmed at the actual location where Collins was killed.

Historical Context:

The film tackles one of the most complex periods in Irish history, a time that still influences Irish politics today. While the broad strokes of history are accurately portrayed, Jordan made certain dramatic choices to streamline the narrative. The relationship between Collins and de Valera, for instance, is portrayed more antagonistically than some historians believe was the case, though their fundamental disagreement over the Treaty is well-documented.

The film excels at showing how Collins modernized warfare through intelligence gathering, assassinations, and guerrilla tactics. His network of spies, particularly his “Squad,” is accurately portrayed as a sophisticated operation that effectively paralyzed British intelligence in Ireland. The film also captures the devastating impact of the Civil War, when former comrades found themselves on opposite sides.

Some historical elements were necessarily condensed or simplified. The complex politics of the period, including the role of the Irish Republican Brotherhood and the details of the Treaty negotiations, are streamlined for dramatic purposes. However, the film succeeds in conveying the essential truth of the period – the transformation of Ireland from colony to free state, and the tragic divisions that followed.

Production and Trivia:

The making of Michael Collins is almost as epic as the story it tells. Neil Jordan spent over a decade trying to get the film made, with various studios backing out due to the political sensitivity of the subject matter. The project finally gained momentum when Liam Neeson became attached – though interestingly, Kevin Costner had once been considered for the role.

The production transformed Dublin into its 1920s self, with O’Connell Street recreated to match period photographs. The level of detail was extraordinary – even the cobblestones were temporarily replaced to match the historical period. The film’s key battle sequences required massive coordination, with the Irish Army providing hundreds of soldiers as extras and technical advisors ensuring military accuracy.

Liam Neeson’s preparation for the role was intense. He spent months studying newsreel footage of Collins, working with dialect coaches to perfect Collins’ Cork accent, and meeting with Collins’ surviving relatives. Julia Roberts struggled more with her Irish accent, leading to some criticism of her performance, though Jordan defended her casting as bringing necessary star power to get the film made.

The production faced various challenges, including the need to recreate major historical events like the attack on the Custom House and Bloody Sunday. The assassination scene was filmed at Béal na Bláth, with many locals serving as extras, including some whose parents had been present at the actual event. The film’s armored car sequences used genuine Rolls Royce vehicles from the period, sourced from military museums.

Some of the most interesting production stories revolve around the filming in Dublin Castle, which had been the center of British rule in Ireland. The production was the first ever allowed to film extensively inside the castle, marking a significant shift in how Ireland dealt with this difficult period of its history.

Cultural Impact:

Michael Collins represented a watershed moment for Irish cinema and Irish history. Released just two years before the Good Friday Agreement, the film sparked renewed public discourse about political violence, compromise, and the price of peace – themes that resonated strongly during the Northern Ireland peace process.

The film’s impact on Irish popular culture was immediate and lasting. It introduced a new generation to the complexities of the independence struggle and Civil War period, with many schools incorporating the film into their history curriculum. Collins’ famous line “I’m going to build something new” became a cultural touchstone, often quoted in political discourse about Irish nation-building.

The film also dramatically increased tourism to Collins-related sites across Ireland. Locations like Glasnevin Cemetery, where Collins is buried, saw significant increases in visitors. The film’s premiere in Dublin was one of the largest cultural events in the city’s history, with thousands lining the streets to catch a glimpse of the stars and dignitaries.

Perhaps most significantly, the film helped reshape public perception of Collins himself. While always a significant historical figure, the film humanized him for modern audiences, showing not just the military strategist but the man – with his wit, charm, and internal conflicts. This more rounded portrayal influenced subsequent historical works and documentaries about Collins.

Critical Response:

The film received widespread acclaim upon release, though reactions varied significantly between Irish and international critics. Irish reviewers focused heavily on historical accuracy and political implications, with heated debates about the portrayal of de Valera in particular. The Irish Times praised the film’s ambitious scope but questioned some of its historical interpretations, particularly the simplification of the Treaty debate.

International critics were generally more focused on the film’s merits as historical drama. Roger Ebert’s influential review called it “an Irish epic that matches the sweep of historical events with personal drama,” while The New York Times praised Neeson’s “commanding performance” but found the love triangle subplot less convincing.

The film’s awards success included winning the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, where Jordan’s direction and Neeson’s performance received particular praise. It also won several Irish Film and Television Awards, though it was surprisingly overlooked at the Academy Awards, receiving only two nominations for cinematography and original score.

Modern reassessments of the film have been largely positive, with many critics noting how well it has aged compared to other historical epics of the 1990s. Its influence can be seen in subsequent Irish historical films, which have similarly attempted to balance personal drama with political history.

Filming Locations:

The film’s use of actual historical locations adds significant authenticity to the production. Key locations include:

Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin

• Used for prison scenes including the execution of James Connolly
• The actual cells where many revolutionaries were held were used
• The crosses in the execution yard are original

Dublin Castle

• Former center of British rule in Ireland
• First major film production allowed to film inside
• The actual rooms where many historical events took place were used

Trinity College, Dublin

• Stood in for various London locations
• The courtyards were used for several crowd scenes

Powerscourt Estate, Wicklow

• Used for the London Treaty negotiations
• The grand interiors perfectly matched the period setting

Béal na Bláth, Cork

• Actual location of Collins’ assassination
• Local community involved in recreation of the ambush
• Memorial cross visible in some shots

Where to Watch:

Currently, Michael Collins is available through several platforms:

• Streaming free on YouTube (full film with good quality)
• Amazon Prime Video (rental and purchase options)
• Apple TV (purchase only)
• DVD/Blu-ray available through various retailers
• Regular screenings at the Irish Film Institute, Dublin
• Shown annually on RTÉ around Collins’ death anniversary (August 22)
• TG4 occasionally broadcasts with Irish language subtitles

Special screenings are often organized around significant anniversaries related to Collins or the independence period, particularly at venues connected to the film or Collins’ life.