Based on the life of Dublin’s most notorious criminal, Martin Cahill, The Generalfollows his life from his mischievous youthful dabblings in crime to his eventual execution by a lone gunman in broad daylight in August 1994. The film illustrates his brutality as the ruthless leader of his gang as well as the complex benevolent aspects of his existence – dispensing stolen goods to the needy and his eschewal of drink and drugs. Cahill had a devilish sense of humour whilst toying with the Gardai, and a flagrant disregard for the authorities, other criminals and the paramilitaries, which led ultimately to his demise.
Best Director, Cannes Film Festival 1998
DIRECTOR / PRODUCER John Boorman
CAST Brendan Gleeson, Jon Voigt, Adrian Dunbar, Sean McGinley, Maria Doyle-Kennedy, Angeline Ball
RUNNING TIME 119 minutes