DigiGuide Library

Programme Information

Fictionalised account of the life of Dublin thug and charismatic crime-lord Martin Cahill (Brendan Gleeson) by director John Boorman, who was allegedly himself robbed by this king of thieves. A brilliant performance by Gleeson brings to life the man whose brutal torture of suspected informants (nailing their hands to a pool table) contrasts strongly with his warm and likeable personality. Even his nemesis, Ned Kelly (Jon Voight) of the Dublin Police, cannot help but admire the audacity and cunning of his opponent, and hates himself for feeling that way. This film follows Cahill's life and, ultimately, his death at the hands of an IRA gunman.

Keywords:

Crime, Drama, Thriller, Biopic, Based-on-Novel, Based-on-True-Story, Biographical, Biography, Movie, Film, Movies, Films

Additional Information:

(1998) (UK / Ireland) (3 Star)

Cast:

Brendan Gleeson	.... Martin Cahill
Adrian Dunbar	.... Noel Curley
Sean McGinley	.... Gary
Maria Doyle-Kennedy	.... Frances
Angeline Ball	.... Tina
Jon Voight	.... Inspector Ned Kenny

Supporting Cast:

Eanna MacLiam	.... Jimmy
Tom Murphy	.... Willie Byrne
Paul Hickey	.... Anthony
Tommy O'Neill	.... Paddy
John O'Toole	.... Shea
Ciarán Fitzgerald	.... Tommy
Ned Dennehy	.... Gay
Vinny Murphy	.... Harry
Roxanna Williams	.... Orla

Directors:

John Boorman

Writers:

John Boorman
Paul Williams