The General (1998)

The real-life story of Dublin folk hero and criminal Martin Cahill, who pulled off two daring robberies in Ireland with his team, but attracted unwanted attention from the police, the I.R.A., the U.V.F., and members of his own team.

Director:

John Boorman

Writers:

John Boorman, Paul Williams (from the book by)

Stars:

Brendan Gleeson, Adrian Dunbar, Sean McGinley

9 wins & 14 nominations.

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 Nic Liam	...	Orla (as Roxanna Williams)

Storyline

The real-life story of Dublin folk hero and criminal Martin Cahill, who pulled off two daring robberies in Ireland with his team, but attracted unwanted attention from the police, the I.R.A., the U.V.F., and members of his own team.

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Plot Keywords:

ireland | police | robbery | dublin ireland | irish republican army | 

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Taglines:

He was a world-class criminal and a working-class hero.

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and pervasive language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Well known Irish director and writer, Jim Sheridan has a small part in the movie as an Anti-Drug campaigner. He is the one challenging Adrian Dunbar's character.

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Goofs

The movie shows the raid on the jewelry manufacturers Thomas O'Connor and Sons in Harold's Cross, Dublin, which took place July 27th, 1983. The raiders use a Volkswagen T4 Transporter in the movie that wasn't in production in 1983 - this model was introduced onto the market in 1991.

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Quotes

Martin Cahill: We never should have bought this house. You never own things. You never own things. The things own you.

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Alternate Versions

Home video version is colorized.

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Connections

Remade as Vicious Circle (1999)

User Reviews

Gritty and Brutal Portrayal

"The General" is the nickname of the real-life, contemporary Irish criminal, Martin Cahill. Brilliantly played by Brendan Gleeson, director John Boorman dramatizes Cahill's odd career as a very successful thief and robber. Shot in black and white the movie has a gritty realism that doesn't glamorize Cahill and his gang. But Cahill, as portrayed by Gleeson and Boorman, is a likable and quirky eccentric who does things his own way, a characteristic which causes him to fall afoul of both the police and the IRA.

Not your typical A-List Hollywood crime melodrama, this movie is not for everyone, especially those looking for the typical Vin Diesel or Al Pacino crime flick. This is more like the Sopranos in the Irish slums. And, I recommend it highly for a Saturday night rental; just be forewarned that it is quite brutal and intense at times.

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures Classics

Country:

UK Ireland

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 December 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

The General

Filming Locations:

Wicklow Mountains, Ireland

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$26,771, 20 December 1998

Gross USA:

$1,214,198

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,214,198

Company Credits

Production Co:

J & M, Merlin Films, Screen Ireland

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1