The General (1998)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

John Boorman

Writers:

John Boorman (writer)
Paul Williams (novel)

Release Date:

18 December 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

The extraordinary true story of the rise and fall of the gangster, Martin Cahill.

Plot:

The real-life story of Dublin folk hero and criminal Martin Cahill, who pulled off two daring robberies in Ireland with his team...

Plot Keywords:

Police | Robbery | Irish | Gangster | Money

Awards:

9 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Brendan Gleeson	...	Martin Cahill
Adrian Dunbar	...	Noel Curley
Sean McGinley	...	Gary
Maria Doyle Kennedy	...	Frances
Angeline Ball	...	Tina
Jon Voight	...	Inspector Ned Kenny
Eanna MacLiam	...	Jimmy
Tom Murphy	...	Willie Byrne
Paul Hickey	...	Anthony
Tommy O'Neill	...	Paddy
John O'Toole	...	Shea
Ciarán Fitzgerald	...	Tommy
Ned Dennehy	...	Gay
Vinny Murphy	...	Harry (as Vinnie Murphy)
Roxanna Williams	...	Orla

Also Known As:

I Once Had a Life

MPAA:

Rated R for violence and pervasive language.

Runtime:

124 min

Country:

UK | Ireland

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Australia:M | France:U | New Zealand:M | Portugal:M/16 | South Korea:15 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Company:

J & M

Trivia:

The home of director John Boorman was robbed by the real life Martin Cahill. Among other things, he stole a gold record that Boorman had on the wall, which inspired Boorman to include that scene in the movie.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Set in 1984, the background of the anti-drug march features a car with a license plate beginning with "96," indicating 1996.

Quotes:

Martin Cahill: [looking at himself on television] It makes me look fat.
Tina: You're not fat. You're cuddly.

Movie Connections:

References Deliverance (1972)

Excellent movie, well acted but perhaps which serves perhaps to glorify an otherwise utterly contemptable character

In terms of acting, direction and entertainment value, the general certainly delivers. Its is well paced, humorous and the performances of all the main actors, in particular Brendan Gleeson and Jon Voight, are excellent. I'm not sure why the film is shot in black and white, I don't think this adds particularly to the film.

My one reservation about the film is the portrayal of the main character, Martin Cahill, whom I think is overly glamorised. I remember before Cahills death his exploits as I saw them in the newspapers and television, and from the many stories which circulated around Dublin at that time of his criminal activity. This was no latter day Robin Hood. He was an unusually successful thief, no doubt, but with none of the charitable spirit. He was also extremely cruel, at one time breaking into the home of a social welfare officer and torturing him for hours simply because he had refused Cahill welfare payments.

I would recommend people to see this film, but at all times remember that the man it portrays was no one to be admired, but an example of the most vile thugs that Ireland has had the shame to produce in recent years. But then they say, "The devil has the best tales".