|
|
~ Articles And Speeches About Michael Collins ~
Liam Neeson Discusses the Film 'Michael Collins'
And
Liam Neeson Dedicates Statue; Discusses How Michael Collins Brought Him Through Tragedy
"Some of Collins' sidekicks would say, ‘Mick, this guy's got to go,’ but he would find out all he could before ordering a man's death. And as the hour approached for the execution, in his own mind, Collins became both the executioner and the victim. He would pace up and down, transformed in almost a kind of exorcism when he knew he was responsible for taking someone's life. Now, when you say ‘terrorist’ to me, I think of someone who plants bombs in restaurants and airplanes and kills innocent people. Collins never, ever stood for that."
When asked what he hoped people would come away from the film with, he responded, "I'd like them to pick up on the universal aspect of the story. It's also the history of every country that has wanted to shed the yoke of oppression and injustice, including America. There are lots of similarities between George Washington and Michael Collins. They both took charge of a ragtag army and developed hit-and-run tactics." The intensity that Neeson brings to the role of Collins is superb and I think it is fantastic that he received a Venice Film Festival Best Actor award for his performance.
Liam Neeson Dedicates Statue; Discusses How Michael Collins Brought Him Through Tragedy
The Hollywood star said as he lay in a New York hospital bed after a motorbike crash, he asked himself: "What would Mick do?" and, in his best doctor's acting voice, Neeson declared: "You were told to do one-hour physical therapy - you will do two hours and be thankful for it."
To a cheering crowd, he said: "Forgive me, I am just an actor, I have to do something."
The anecdote brought a rousing response from thousands of people who packed Emmet Square in Clonakilty, Co Cork on the 80th anniversary of the death of Michael Collins. Neeson portrayed Michael Collins in the 1996 movie.
At the invitation of a National Monument Commemorative Committee, Neeson made a transatlantic dash to unveil a life-size bronze statue to Collins in the patriot's native West Cork. "If my presence here today will help to keep alive his memory, I will be doubly honoured," said Neeson.
Committee chairman Traolach Ó Donnabháin disclosed Neeson had responded by fax within 24 hours of being invited to unveil the statue.
The Ballymena-born actor was accompanied by his mother Kitty.
"Collins was a remarkable man," said Neeson. "He was always his own man. In these days of corporate shenanigans, where the buck is passed, in Collins' day the buck stopped with him."
The actor proudly declared: "He's my hero. He still inspires me." Church bells tolled to sound the hour at which Collins died in an ambush at 8.00pm on August 22 on the roadside at Béal na nBláth. His armoured car Sliabh na Mon, in which Collins had toured West Cork on his last fateful journey, was parked beside the Kevin Holland-sculptured monument in the shade of leafy chestnut trees.
Collins' two closest living relatives, Nancy Hurley and Joan Burnworth, both living in Dublin, joined dozens of family members at the unveiling ceremony.
They laid two wreaths at the foot of the monument which carried an epitaph of Collins' last written words: "The people here are splendid."
Back To Index
|
|
|
.jpg)
