IMDb > The General (1998)
The General
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The General (1998) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 2 NEW)
The General (1998) -- Open-ended Trailer from Sony Pictures Classics
The General (1998) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.2/10   3,417 votes
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Director:
John Boorman
Writers:
John Boorman (writer)
Paul Williams (novel)
Contact:
View company contact information for The General on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
18 December 1998 (USA) more
Tagline:
The extraordinary true story of the rise and fall of the gangster, Martin Cahill. more
Plot:
The real-life story of Dublin folk hero and criminal Martin Cahill, who pulled off two daring robberies in Ireland with his team... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
9 wins & 8 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(7 articles)
10 Most Fascinating 'End of the World' Movies
 (From The Movie Fanatic. 8 November 2009, 4:59 AM, PST)

10 Most Fascinating 'End of the World' Movies
 (From The Movie Fanatic. 8 November 2009, 4:59 AM, PST)

User Comments:
Excellent movie, well acted but perhaps which serves perhaps to glorify an otherwise utterly contemptable character more (46 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

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
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
I Once Had a Life
more
MPAA:
Rated R for violence and pervasive language.
Runtime:
124 min
Country:
UK | Ireland
Language:
English
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital
Company:
J & M more

Fun Stuff

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. more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: Set in 1984, the background of the anti-drug march features a car with a license plate beginning with "96," indicating 1996. more
Quotes:
Martin Cahill: [looking at himself on television] It makes me look fat.
Tina: You're not fat. You're cuddly.
more
Movie Connections:
References Deliverance (1972) more

FAQ

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6 out of 7 people found the following comment useful.
Excellent movie, well acted but perhaps which serves perhaps to glorify an otherwise utterly contemptable character, 7 May 1999
Author: cochese-5 from Mexico



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".

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