4. Michael Collins (1996)
Biopic of Irish Revolutionary Michael Collins by Neil Jordan. It shows us Collins' role in the 1916 Easter Rising in which he eventually surrendered to the army and was sent to an internment camp with Harry Boland, whilst most of their comrade in arms were shot to the massive disgust of the Irish public. After he gets out of the camp, Collins stands for the Dail, while he is giving a speech, the Royal Irish Constabulary attack the crowd and Collins is beaten. Boland rescues him and they go to a friend's farm where Boland falls in love with a girl called Kitty. A tip off tells Collins that de Valera is going to be arrested along with other members of his cabinet. Boland and Collins evade arrest and go to break de Valera out of prison. De Valera is narked that Collins' star is eclipsing his own and he says he will go to the States to get recognition from Woodrow Wilson. With Collins in command, he orders the IRA to raid police barracks and take their weapons and he makes collaboration with the British army an offence punishable by death. Increasing tensions between Britain and the IRA lead to attacks and counter attacks but surprise hits the IRA when the British want a ceasefire. Collins is sent to Britain and negotiates a cease fire but de Valera is unhappy with the terms. The Dail supports the peace terms but faces a revolt in the shape of de Valera and his cohort. This leads to more violent conflict with the IRA, Irish Free State Army and the British Army all involved in a military operation - called The Battle of Dublin. Boland is shot and Collins is heartbroken. But further danger awaits him when he is the victim of an IRA set up as he goes to make peace with de Valera. Michael Collins is an absorbing and emotional film. Despite its violence, it was given a PG certificate upon its Irish cinema release due to its 'historical significance'. This has to be the first time the Irish censors showed leniency to any film ever. But one should never take entertainment as the gospel historical truth. Neil Jordan himself explained that the film took historical liberties as an international audience would have no clue about Irish history and he had to twist it a little to get a good story. Liam Neeson is very strong in his role as Michael Collins and Alan Rickman is even more impressive as Eamon de Valera - the first ruler of Ireland (and he seemed to rule it for an eternity). Julia Roberts is utterly useless in her role as Kitty. Jordan should have picked an authentic Irish actress to play that role, not a contemporary superstar who is totally unbelievable. I was fascinated by the period of history and the historical figure Jordan chose to portray. I studied Irish history formally for seven years, but I could never get my head around the War of Independence and the subsequent Civil War. Jordan did a good job of filling me in about this time perion so cheers to Neil.