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Poster for The General

The General

Seen it?

1998 | 124 min | Crime, Drama

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (83% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for crime-drama fans. If you loved GoodFellas or A History of Violence, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Dark and gritty.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 4 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated R: meant for adults.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

The real-life story of Dublin folk hero and criminal Martin Cahill, who pulled off two daring robberies in Ireland with his team, but attracted unwanted attention from the police, the I.R.A., the U.V.F., and members of his own team.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    83% on Rotten Tomatoes, 81 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.7 out of 10

  • AwardsSolid

    Won 1 Cannes award: Cannes Film Festival: Best Director. Also nominated for 1 Independent Spirit Award. Plus 7 other awards.

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $4 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 53K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by John Boorman

  • Brendan GleesonMartin Cahill
  • Adrian DunbarNoel Curley
  • Sean McGinleyGary
  • Maria Doyle KennedyFrances
  • Angeline BallTina
  • Jon VoightInspector Ned Kenny
  • Eanna MacLiamJimmy
  • Tom MurphyWillie Byrne
  • John CroninAiden
  • Paul HickeyAnthony