Michael Collins (film)

Michael Collins
Theatrical release poster
Directed byNeil Jordan
Written byNeil Jordan
Produced byStephen Woolley
Starring
CinematographyChris Menges
Edited by
  • J. Patrick Duffner
  • Tony Lawson
Music byElliot Goldenthal
Production
companies
Distributed byWarner Bros.
Release dates
  • 28 August 1996 (1996-08-28) (Venice)
  • 11 October 1996 (1996-10-11) (US)
  • 8 November 1996 (1996-11-08) (Ireland)
Running time
132 minutes
Country
    • Ireland
    • United States
    • United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Budget$25 million
Box office$32.8 million

Michael Collins is a 1996 biographical historical drama film about Michael Collins, a leading figure in the early-20th-century Irish struggle for independence against Britain. It is written and directed by Neil Jordan and stars Liam Neeson in the title role, along with Aidan Quinn, Stephen Rea, Alan Rickman, and Julia Roberts. The film was distributed by Warner Bros.

An international co-production between Ireland, the United States, and the United Kingdom, Michael Collins was one of the most expensive films ever produced in Ireland. Filming took place in Dublin, and the score was composed by Elliot Goldenthal.

Michael Collins won the Golden Lion at the 53rd Venice International Film Festival, with Neeson winning the Best Actor Award. It was received a limited release in the United States on 11 October 1996, before going to a wide release on 25 October. It was released in Ireland on 8 November. It received generally positive reviews, and was nominated for Best Original Score and Best Cinematography at the 69th Academy Awards.