Anyone else ever watched MIchael Collins?

I ask this for several reasons. First, it shows a people throwing off the chains of an oppressive government. Second it states quite strongly that the biggest betrayers of the Irish came from within. Third, it expresses a view of terrorism which is much more complex and therefore less clean cut than anything in our current dialogue. And in light of the Agent Mike threads...it shows how those who watch can learn from what they see.

It's not a great movie...as movies go. But it is a fantastic story and piece of history (to the extent that the movie reflects history). The Birth of the IRA is often overlooked...and the fact that the British were publically gunning down mass Irishmen in the last 100 years is also something we overlook. The sense of Nationalism that IRISH feel didn't seem all that different from how Americans might feel (or did feel during the revolutionary war) and the infighting among those ostensibly fighting for freedom seemed to echo much of the infighting I see even here at DU...where the cause becomes subordinate to personal egos etc.

If you haven't seen it, I suggest you do. It isn't great cinema...but it's a damn telling experience in light of what we see around us today. Great cast btw.

Definitely a sad and interesting look into politics in Ireland in the early 20th century. I was surprised to see the apparent corruption the hearts of a few by their power in the organization. Or perhaps it was that they had been so defined by their battle that they never really wanted it to end.

...the Alan Rickman character died.

Maybe I'll watch it in its entirety next St. Patrick's Gay.

because Eamon de Valera (Alan Rickman's historical character) didn't die till 1975. And Michael Collins didn't kill him off. Did you perhaps think the early execution scene to included him? It didn't...he's still there for the rest of the film.