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The General
Martin Cahill (Brendan Gleeson) was a rare breed of criminal, totally at odds with the image of the modern gangster. Cahill, known as "The General", did not lust for power, nor rule with fear, and rarely appeared in public without a hooded parka pulled tight over his unkempt hair. Born in poverty, Cahill stole simply for the joy of outfoxing the police, poor society's great oppressors. Director John Boorman's presents all of the quirks, warmth and guile which gained Cahill his folk hero status, but never shies away from his dark side. As Cahill's "strokes," as he calls his burglaries, get more audacious, an increasingly large task force is assigned track his movements, forcing Cahill to reach deeper and deeper into his resources of creativity to break their surveillance. As pressure mounts from the Law, the IRA, and the taxman, Cahill begins to dissolve into paranoia. It's a funny, moving film, with Gleeson shining in the starring role, and a terrific, bluesy score by Richie Buckley. This disc offers two versions of the film, the black and white theatrical release, and the other in desaturated color. Both versions are in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen and 2.0 Dolby Surround. You may also want to make use of the English subtitles; Gleeson's Irish brogue is thick as potato stew. Textual supplements, trailer, keep case.
