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Robert Redford almost made a movie on Michael Collins

New biography reveals actor is fascinated by Irish hero

NIALL O'DOWD,

IrishCentral.com Founder

Published Thursday, April 14, 2011, 7:38 AM

Updated Thursday, April 14, 2011, 11:28 AM

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Robert Redford

Robert Redford wanted to play Michael Collins in a movie about the life of the Irish patriot, but Irish director Neil Jordan beat him to the punch.

Jordan’s film starring Liam Neeson was made in 1996.

In a new biography by Michael Feeney Callan entitled “Robert Redford the Biography” Redford reveals that his grandmother , who was of Irish background was a huge fan of Collins and often talked about him and that he has retained a fascination for the Irish revolutionary.

The book, which will be available on May 3rd also reveals that it was a major disappointment to him that the film did not get made.

Redford has referred to the Collins project before in a public lecture in 2008 in Dublin when asked if he had wanted to make the movie he responded:"Yes, I did. I remember my grandmother talking about him but I was too young to understand it.

"It's a great story... a guy who flew so close to the sun... so reviled by one side and loved by the other."
Redford added: "When we were shooting 'Out of Africa' I asked a writer to write up a screenplay and a lot of the Irish crew [on the set] said 'that's not a good idea'.

"Then I heard that Neil was working on it. He did a thesis on it so... he got there and I didn't."
In the same interview he stated he would like to own a home in Ireland, “I love Dublin, I love Ireland” he said.

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Hannah1879 | Apr 25, 2011, 11:33 AM EDT

Robert Redford would have given a great performance. However, Liam was outstanding...can't really compare the two fine actors. Liam being Irish made it truly authentic.

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pilib04 | Apr 21, 2011, 08:32 AM EDT

Reality check for Michael Collins: On a really good day, Mick Collins was 6 foot depending on the heel of the boots he was wearing. Robert Redford is 5'10". Now how, pray tell, is Collins a foot taller. Big Fella was not referring to Mick's height but his strength. Tall was definitely deV who towered over Mick. On the subject of the moview about Collins, it was great except for it's inaccurate portrayal of deV. Here is Harry Boland's description of deV. Harry Boland, friend of both Michael Collins and de Valera, wrote of de Valera in 1922: "[he] is at GHQ, hale and well, the same gentle, honest, straight-forward, unpurchaseable man that you knew. All the calumny that has been heaped upon him is British inspired; they failed to bribe or intimidate him, they now try the weapon of slander."

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fedupirish | Apr 17, 2011, 07:07 PM EDT

Nice to see some of the most honest and frank commentary in any of these columns!

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baffled? | Apr 17, 2011, 12:40 AM EDT

With all of very much due, and well-earned, Respect for brother Robert Redford ... I do not think that ANYONE other than Liam Neeson could have done as well portraying the gravitas and infinite dedication in the role of Michael Collins. ...Such a film ...

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Searlit | Apr 15, 2011, 10:38 AM EDT

This was a very stunning film! I, not knowing much about Irish history, at the time, was devastated by the opening scene. My heart didn't stop pounding through the whole movie! Having an Irishman play the lead role was needed to give this film full authenticity. The movies that use other nationalities, in the place of, the real thing, are lacking. That said, I love Robert Redford!

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Kevincanavan | Apr 15, 2011, 10:14 AM EDT

Liam much better choice then Redford

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antoman | Apr 14, 2011, 06:09 PM EDT

If you go to Newmarket County Cork and have a pint in the pub at the crossroads there.Check out the photographs hanging on the wall.You will see one of Michael Collins on the crossroad just outside the pub addressing a gathering of the locals.I know because I've drank in that pub.

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jacersagain | Apr 14, 2011, 05:15 PM EDT

A few years ago I was watching a TV program about the history of television in Ireland. Upon the launch of Ireland’s first TV station, Telefís Éireann (affectionately called Jellyfish Éireann), our then President, Eamonn DeValera, made a speech marking the occasion. I cuda sworn I was listening to Alan Rickman.

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Whitepark | Apr 14, 2011, 04:31 PM EDT

As much as I love Robert Redford and he is such a great Actor and director, in order to give the story the proufound depth it required Liam was th better choice in that situation, the dialect was very important in that movie.

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antoman | Apr 14, 2011, 03:29 PM EDT

@Liamkeyes-You are correct.The way Alan Rickman staggers his sentences.Emphasising each sentence like it were a speech all of its own.Is just like Dev used to talk.

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Liamkeyes | Apr 14, 2011, 02:21 PM EDT

It was reported that Kevin Costner yearned to play "The Big Fella" but his height put him out of the running, I'll have to research his height where Niall says that he was 5'11''. I lived on Mespil Road, Dublin. Number five Mespil road was a safe house For Michael Collins. I'm going back to the 40's now, The Big fella" was well remembered by the Merchants in the area. Some stated that an Englishman could not play the role of an Irishman, I beg to differ. Alan Rickman Aced the part of DeValera in the movie. DeValera's Parish was St. Mary's Haddington Road, i was in the choir, my brother was an Altar boy and for security reasons, Dev attended different Mass times.He also attended daily mass in a small church on Fitzwilliam Street about two blocks up from Leinster House. From my observations, Alan Rickman wins the watch. He must have watched old Movies and met with Dev;s family etc.

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Niall O'Dowd | Apr 14, 2011, 01:40 PM EDT

Actually Michael Collins was only abt 5 11

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mcdolan | Apr 14, 2011, 12:59 PM EDT

I agree - As much as I admire Robert Redford as an actor and director, Liam Neeson was the consummate Mick!I think it is very difficult for a non-Irish person to be able to portray someone of that stature (Michael Collins) with the understanding of the nuances of speech, action, and emotion that the role required, and Neeson did it extremelky well.

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Magicdusa | Apr 14, 2011, 12:18 PM EDT

Redford needs a set of stilts for that role. It would be very tough to beat Neeson's performance.

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fedupirish | Apr 14, 2011, 11:27 AM EDT

Liam Neeson nailed nailed the performance. Redford always puts out a great script, a great story, and usually a very good performance in any roles he has portrayed. It, in all likelihood, would have been good. Neil Jordan's was great!

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