“Michael Collins”, 1996
Director: Neil Jordan
This biographical drama, directed by Neil Jordan, provides a comprehensive look at Michael Collins, a key leader in the Irish independence movement. While the focus is broad, covering events from the Easter Rising through the Irish Civil War, the film effectively sets the stage with its portrayal of the 1916 uprising.
Starring: Liam Neeson, Aidan Quinn, Stephen Rea, Alan Rickman, Julia Roberts, Ian Hart, Richard Ingram, John Kenny, Ronan McCairbre, Jer O'Leary, Brendan Gleeson, Stuart Graham, Sean McGinley, Gerard McSorley;
Production year: 1996;
Genre: thriller, drama, war, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 133 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Michael Collins” on the website imdb.com
“1916: The Irish Rebellion”, 2016
Director: Pat Collins, Ruán Magan
This documentary, narrated by Liam Neeson, commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising. It provides a detailed account of the events leading up to, during, and after the uprising, using a combination of archival footage, new research, and dramatic recreations to bring the story to life.
Starring: Liam Neeson;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: documentary, history;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “1916: The Irish Rebellion” on the website imdb.com
“Rebellion”, 2016
Director: Aku Louhimies
Originally produced as a five-part miniseries by RTÉ, Ireland's National Television and Radio Broadcaster, “Rebellion” dramatizes the events of the 1916 Easter Rising. Although it takes several historical liberties, the series aims to capture the mood and movement of Dublin during the uprising, focusing on the lives of fictional characters who represent a cross-section of Irish society at the time.
Starring: Michael Ford-FitzGerald, Jordanne Jones, Briain Gleeson, Jaelynne Wallace Ruane, Ruth Bradley, Paul Reid, Brian McCardie, Tom Turner, Michelle Fairley, Lydia McGuinness;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: drama, war, history;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “Rebellion” on the website imdb.com
These films and series offer a mixture of perspectives on the Easter Rising, from direct historical recounting to character-driven narratives that reflect the broader implications and aftermath of the event.
In conclusion, films about the Easter Rising serve not just as historical narratives but as powerful conduits through which the echoes of past insurrections reach a modern audience, inviting reflection, understanding, and sometimes, introspection. These cinematic works, through their varied lenses—be it the raw and gritty realism of “Michael Collins,” the poignant dramatization in “The Wind That Shakes the Barley,” or the personal narratives in “1916 Seachtar na Cásca”—construct a mosaic of perspectives that enrich our understanding of this pivotal moment in Irish history. They underscore the complexities of the human spirit in times of turmoil, the nuances of political and social ideologies, and the indelible mark of the Easter Rising on the Irish consciousness and identity. By engaging with these films, viewers are invited into a dialogue with history, one that acknowledges the sacrifices made and challenges faced, while also pondering the timeless question of how and why individuals and societies rise up in the pursuit of freedom and justice.
