‘90s Thriller ‘Michael Collins’ with Rickman & Neeson: Still Echoes Today!

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Nine years have passed since the renowned actor Alan Rickman left us, and Hollywood still deeply feels his absence. He initially gained recognition for his melodious voice, making a name for himself by playing the Vicomte de Valmont in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s stage adaptation of Les Liaisons Dangereuses, a role that earned him a Tony nomination and marked the start of an unstoppable career. Rickman later achieved even greater success with his portrayal of the German terrorist Hans Gruber in Die Hard. For the subsequent three decades, he was continuously approached with offers for various roles.

Liam Neeson, much like Alan Rickman, has gained considerable acclaim in the acting world. Over the course of his career, he’s been recognized with an Oscar nomination, a BAFTA Award nomination, multiple Golden Globe Awards nominations, and two Tony Awards nominations. It might surprise you, considering his recent performances seem less dynamic, but this is the same man who captivated audiences in the film Schindler’s List.

In a former collaboration, actors Alan Rickman and Liam Neeson appeared in a film that, if one were to make an educated guess based on random people’s predictions, would most likely be categorized as an action movie. However, contrary to what it might sound like with Neeson seeking revenge against a villain portrayed by Rickman, their joint work is actually a biographical drama titled “Michael Collins,” which depicts the life of the Irish politician, Michael Collins, in a tense and dramatic manner.

‘Michael Collins’ Covers Ireland’s Violent Struggle for Independence

Delving into themes of societal outcast and territorial aggression, Michael Collins stands as an audacious, captivating piece directed by Neil Jordan, renowned for his TV series creations such as The Borgias and Riviera. This biographical film offers a gripping portrayal of the life and political odyssey of Michael Collins, a politician and revolutionary who significantly contributed to Ireland’s fight for freedom from British rule in the early 1900s.

The movie starts at the conclusion of the Easter Uprising of 1916 (a rebellion that occurred during Easter week). We witness a handful of Irish freedom fighters giving up to the British Army, having been defeated. They plead for leniency but are tragically shot by firing squad instead. Since he was born in the United States, Éamon de Valera (portrayed by Alan Rickman) miraculously escapes execution and is incarcerated alongside Michael Collins (played by Liam Neeson).

Subsequently, Collins emerges from imprisonment, assumes the role of Intelligence Director within the Irish Republican Army (IRA), and orchestrates significant armed conflict against British troops. Simultaneously, De Valera departs for America in an attempt to win President Roosevelt’s backing for an independent Ireland, but his efforts prove unsuccessful.

The friendship between Collins and de Valera starts to fray when Collins agrees to a peace treaty with the British that offers only partial independence. Their bond becomes tense and confrontational as de Valera continues to advocate for full independence, but his calls are met with indifference by Collins, whose overblown ego and domineering leadership style create intolerable friction. Ultimately, their disagreement leads to a bitter end.

Michael Collins” was a collaborative effort between the United States, the Republic of Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Notably, this film was one of the priciest productions in Ireland at the time of its release. Fortunately, it didn’t end up costing more than anticipated as it earned approximately $8 million over its budget. The film garnered significant recognition, winning the Golden Lion at the Venice International Film Festival and Liam Neeson receiving the Best Actor award. At the Oscars, it was nominated for both Best Original Score and Best Cinematography.

Politics Never Change

Michael Collins captivates audiences because it offers a compelling, genuine, and thought-provoking account of our universal struggle for self-rule. The story, though set over a century ago, still mirrors contemporary political tactics. Moreover, the film’s implications are vividly portrayed. In the movie, Collins employs guerrilla warfare to pressure the British into action, which proves effective. He is later summoned to London for discussions on Irish affairs as part of the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921. The treaty’s specifics spark discord among the rebels, yet progress is made.

In today’s world, political leaders continue to use assertive tactics to either compel adversaries to engage in dialogue or submit to their control. However, internal disputes can arise during such periods due to intense animosity towards the enemy, with some viewing negotiations as a demonstration of vulnerability.

Furthermore, the biopic sheds light on the personal sacrifices politicians often face when pursuing their agendas. Specifically, Collins’ revolutionary work strains his relationship with his fiancée, Kitty Kiernan (portrayed by Julia Roberts). Initially, Kitty had dreams of a romantic, family-oriented wedding, but these plans become burdensome for Collins. Moreover, his political decisions lead to the emergence of new and threatening adversaries, which he’d prefer to avoid. Ultimately, Collins pays a high price for his choices, despite his intentions to act righteously throughout.

Additionally, the territorial disputes portrayed in the film continue to occur in reality today. For example, Putin and Ukraine, Trump and Greenland, China asserting control over Taiwan – these are all examples of history repeating itself. Moreover, it is striking to note how significant America’s influence is in major global political events. De Valera sought President Wilson’s backing, but the President, recognizing the potential consequences, opted for neutrality instead.

Years Later, the Film’s Portrayal of De Valeria Remains Controversial

In the movie “Michael Collins,” the hero was undeniably strong, but it’s intriguing to identify the true antagonist of the story. Unlike choosing a character from the British side or inventing a fictional adversary, director Neil Jordan chose De Valera. It seems that the idea of having Alan Rickman portray a villain may have been a long-held ambition for Jordan.

The film implies that De Valera may have contributed to Michael Collins’ decline, however, there is no historical evidence supporting this claim. While it’s common knowledge that they had disagreements, whether De Valera plotted against Collins remains uncertain. Instead, he is often remembered for his diplomatic roles. De Valera held the office of President of Ireland for two consecutive terms from 1959 to 1973 and, at one point, was the world’s oldest leader in office.

To RTÉ, Neil Jordan admitted that while the Oscar-nominated biopic accurately reflects the broader political choices made by de Valera during that period, he also conceded that the character may not have been portrayed entirely fairly.

Neil Jordan, speaking to RTÉ, acknowledged that though the biopic’s depiction of the broader political decisions made by de Valera at the time is accurate, there might be instances where the character was shown unfairly.

Alan Rickman also had something to say. During a chat with the Irish Times, he said:

As a movie reviewer, I would express it like this: “I’ve invested considerable time and effort advocating for a balanced portrayal of this historical figure. However, I must clarify that my stance doesn’t reflect any decisions made by the director or studio. A significant scene in the script, unfortunately left on the cutting room floor, would have clarified that he was not involved in Collins’ demise. Regrettably, the film’s narrative seems to prioritize a romantic resolution over a politically grounded one.

The movie does contain some historical inconsistencies, but we understand the director’s stance; he was trying to strike a balance between portraying an authentic story and making it appealing for a broader audience. It’s no surprise given the industry we’re dealing with – entertainment.

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2025-02-02 06:32