Covers the life and story surrounding the Irishman, Michael Collins. Features the use of old newsreels to describe the events of 1916 with the Easter Uprising.
I have long been facinated by the history of the Irish troubles. I found this documentary by accident while looking to read about the life of the presenter. It was excellent. I have no comment to make on Ireland, too much blood has been spilt there. Suffice to say, Michael Collins is a son of that country. He left an indelible mark and doubtless is still held in reverence the Irish people. I found it humbling to hear his story. The story of a country fighting for its freedom from British oppression.
Sean I'm English and from Manchester and to my knowledge have no Irish blood although Lancahire is full of people with Irish connections (my wife) Most English people haven't a clue has to what happened in Ireland under British rule and I don't think they're particularly interested.Personally I'm very interested in Irish history and have educated myself on the subject.The people were treated appallingly by the British Estanlishment and personally makes you embarrassed to be English..However believe me their own kind (the poor ) were not treated much better.
@@Topper954 United Irishmen where first Irish Republicans 1791-1803 tried and failed to unite Roman Catholics Protestant (Anglicans) and Dissenters (Presbyterians) led by Irish Protestant patriot Wolfe Tone.
Fantastic presenter delivered with such wonderful Irish sarcasm to the the sound of English pomposity! As an Irish man I can’t believe after 42 years alive this is the first time seeing this, I can only assume it was buried deep.
Hi Michael. Check out "Curious Journey" which was also made by Kenneth Griffith where he speaks to IRA veterans including Tom Barry(the most successful IRA Commander) and David Neligan(the famous spy in the castle).It also appears in book form under the title "Irelands Unfinished Revolution". Both documentaries were banned at the time and Kenneth Griffith went to court to get them shown. They were never shown in Ireland. He also made 2 great documentaries for the BBC which were about the Boer War and Anglo-Zulu War. I remember Kenneth Griffith appearing in an episode of "Minder".
Welsh sarcasm I think - from a Celtic cousin... being called Jones, surprised you didn't spot that. He does have a very idiosyncratic way of narrating a documentary - doesn't displease me. Amazed that an English TV station apparently financed it though... God bless the 70s
It was banned by the IBA for 20 years and only shown on BBC in 1993. The Kenneth Griffith Archive is on YT - but note that Griffith betrayed his anti-colonialist stance as he was a Zionist placing a Zionist Settller-Colonialist flag [along with the Welsh and Irish] on his grave!
Yank here. I discovered this documentary last year and watched here from beginning to end. Kenneth Griffith can really tell the story of Michael Collins with passion.
@@Johnconno He survived the conflict. As a matter of interest the bookmaker William Hill was only a teenager when he was a Black &Tan in Co. Cork. Obviously he would establish a chain of betting shops in later life that still bare his name!
I remember watching this on TV back in the early 90's I think. It was shown on British TV, as Irish TV never had the liathróidí to show such a documentary. A wonderful, biased, truthful account of one of Irelands greatest men, who was ultimately shafted by that lanky streak of piss yank devalara. A shyster in word and deed. Collins was and remains a hero to many of us in Ireland, and it reinforces the contradictory nature of Ireland as a nation that it takes a Welsh actor to most accurately tell his story.
It was made by the BBC in the 70s and they wouldn't show it so griffith took them to court for political censorship and he won so they had to show it but they only did in the 90s. The Irish don't have the right to broadcast it.
@@frankclancy508 fair and accurate explanation Frank. Do you think RTÉ would have ever considered buying the rights from BBC? Tubridys wage is knocking about now.
Kenneth griffith was a fine actor/ documentary maker, a dear friend of Ireland & a proud Welshman, one of few celts in acting who spoke up for political causes, a decent man & a credit to the Welsh nation
Agree 100%. He made another documentary called "Curious Journey" where he speaks to IRA veterans of the Irish War of Independence including Tom Barry and these interviews are also in book form called "Irelands Unfinished Revolution". He made two great documentaries about the Anglo Zulu War and 2nd Boer War also. He always championed the cause of the oppressed. Great human being.
Check out "Curious Journey" which was made by the same documentary maker(Kemneth Griffith) where he speaks to IRA veterans of the Irish War of Independence. It was also made in the 1970's.
Eamon de Valera: “It is my considered opinion that in the fullness of time history will record the greatness of Michael Collins and it will be recorded at my expense.”
Downloading this in case it gets taken down. Jesus, RTÉ wouldn't even air something like this. Honestly incredible, and not sure if I should have been laughing in places but I was
One of the great Welsh actors Kenneth Griffith. The film was made by ATV in 1973, but Lew Grade panicked and shelved the programme. By the way the Ulster Volunteer Force also got their guns from Germany. Griffith was right about his compatriot Lloyd George. Such a duplicitous bastard. Ireland will always be England's problem.
Great documentary covering perhaps one of the most tragic events in the whole history of these Islands.The vast majority of English people haven't a clue what happened in Ireland. It's gone on for nigh on 700yrs.and still isn't over.
@Simon Archbold I'm English Simon but I Would like to think that the grievenses of the ordinary people of Ireland are with the British ruling class and not with the ordinary working class British people.They treated the Irish appalling but also treated their own kind not much better.
*England was enslaved by the Roman's for 400 years and when they left, they left a power vacuum & England fell into chaos & the Irish took advantage of this & waged unspeakable horrors on the English for a further 300 years. Maybe you were the aggressor all along?
...."Anyway he shouldn't have burnt that little farmhouse down" What an understatement. Later when Percival surrendered his troops to the Japanese he received a telegram from his old nemesis in Ireland Tom Barry congratulating him on his defense of Singapore. Tom it seems couldn't help himself but get in one last dig at his old enemy Percival.
By the way Maria check out "Curious Journey" which was made by the same documentary maker(Kenneth Griffiths) where he speaks to IRA veterans of the Irish War of Independence. It was made around the same time as this Michael Collins documentary.
Thank you, My GALWAY born farther died in October but his youngest son is watching now & forever R.I Glory DAD!! !! Up GALWAY GOD SAVE IRELAND FROM NORTH EAST IMMIGRANTS !! "!
Upon Collins’s death Churchill wrote: “He was an Irish patriot, true and fearless... When in future times the Irish Free State is not only prosperous and happy, but an active and annealing force... regard will be paid by widening circles to his life and to his death...Successor to a sinister inheritance, reared among fierce conditions and moving through ferocious times, he supplied those qualities of action and personality without which the foundations of Irish nationhood would not have been re-established.” For the rest of his life, Churchill always referred to Collins as “General Collins”-high praise indeed.
High praise indeed I think churchill feared an respected him in equal measure I study a lot of great armie generals an such I respect the fact churchill was a terrible foe to behold but I feel churchill felt the same about Collins because the campaign he undertook against the British and results he got considering the British empire was so strong and the republic movement was so weak in comparison to it and still that steely temperament that the irish had
Churchill forced Collins to signe a treaty which divided Ireland to this day. He threatened Collins with an invasion which would mean total inilation of which lead to a civil war that set brother against brother. I dont blame Collins (who settled for peace). I dont blame De Valera who saw future division and conflict but I do blame Churchill who, (ignore Irish sentiment if you wish) even by his own peers was seen as the most brutal of imperialists prolonged the "Irish problem" as you refer to it, to this day.
@@Johnnyfive55 Absolutely ! Churchill knew the I R A were short of arms amunittion and men, Mick Collins knew that also,he also knew that Churchill was more than capable of making good his threat to invade. With a reformed R I C and Auxies starting to get results. The 'Big Fella'was quite right to seize an end to 'bloody mayem' in most sensible peoples view.
@@Johnnyfive55 I presume you do know that Lloyd George was PM 1916-22, during those oh so critical years for Ireland.Are you saying that HE wasn't running the show? The Ulster Unionist imported guns into Larne in 1913. Apart from some being deployed against rabbits and hares, those weapons ended up rusting away in attics.However, make no mistake: If Germany had invaded during WW1, those guns would have been used against them. If the British government had tried to establish Home Rule for all of Ireland within the Empire, never mind a fully independent state, those guns would even have been used by the Unionists in a 'British Civil War'. If the 'South', at any time, in the decades after partition, had attempted to coerce the six counties into a united Ireland, there would have been an 'Irish Civil War.' That conflict would have made the actual Irish Civil War of 1922-23 fought between the IRA's pro and anti-Treaty wings,seem like a tea party in comparison. The implacable, unyielding and even fanatical determination of Ulster Unionism to remain within the UK completely over rides the individual agendas of leaders like Lloyd George,Churchill, Collins and De Valera. Collins was a hard headed practical realist. De Valera was a dreamer and a schemer. I admire Churchill for his wonderful and inspiring leadership during WW2 against the vicious 20th century imperialism of Nazi Germany. However, he gloried in the story of British imperialism and saw no contradiction. He didn't want to surrender India and God only knows what would have happened if the Tories had managed to win the 1945 election.
Check out "Curious Journey" which was made by the same documentary maker(Kenneth Griffith) where he speaks to IRA veterans of the Irish War of Independence including Tom Barry and David Nelligan the famous spy in Dublin castle.
I miss hosts such as these - sweating, monogramed flask nearing empty, belting out eccentric renditions of historical quotes and all as he stomps through one set place after another like a man on his way to quench a terrible thirst.
My mom last name is Collins before she was married, I wonder where that name came from. We are a mixed family meaning most of my family are mixed black and white. Most of my family members with the Collins last name look white are close too it. If my mom and dad did not marry I would have grown up with the Collins last name. I have to find out if my family have Irish roots. My husband grandfather is Irish the one he never met yes my husband is white. We both are making a trip to Ireland.
From what ive taken from my years of interest in Ireland is that Michael Collins was an Irishman to the core, when Collins and co set off on this mission all had the same objective, a free and united Ireland, this is where i differentiate from most, i feel like events that happened led to those involved let feelings get the better of their intelligence which in turn presented a difference of opinion when it came to the deal in London, alot of people speculate as to why Collins and Griffith were sent and my personal opinion is that the ones who sent them didnt have the courage to do the bidding themselves, knew their own ideas couldnt realistically be achieved at that moment in time leading to them thinking of public opinion and not what is best for the public, Collins knew this the minute he was told he was going to London, this is a man who was able to infiltrate the british intelligence units in ireland of course he knew the outcome of this decision. I dont know who had Collins killed but i do know it was a moment in time that Ireland didnt need, i feel like alot of sneakiness happened in Ireland, much more than we are told and this i feel was the downfall of many great men.
Check out "Curious Journey" which was made by the same documentary maker(Kenneth Griffith) where he speaks to IRA veterans of the Irish War of Independence. It was also made in the 1970's.
Fun fact: This documentary was banned in Britain for over 2 decades because it showed the atrocities of the British Army and the RIC during the War of Independence.
A true Patriot if not a fanatic Rebel. Whomsoever travelled to that deal in London would have had to sign, or face responsibility for more untolled deaths in Eire. Michael knowingly signed his life away, to move the country on from 700 years, toward a dreamed for country, ... which is closer now than ever before. It's easy to be an unreasonable perfectionist, and take the moral highest ground, but immoral to not recognise who really put that high-ground beneath their ever floating Feet. God Bless Michael Collins. Though I'm not your countryman my respect for your choices is of the highest. You never ran with the Hare, nor hunted with the hounds though it may cost your life .. even though undoubtedly accused of it by lesser men. sign of integrity. Not a rebel, but a Patriot.
Beal Na Blath is the most natural Ambush site you can imagine! It's no wonder General Collins reached for a Rifle! To travel such roads in an Open touring car was pretty brazen,but he was riding in his homeland and had been no doubt enjoying the day socialising and visiting Army units in the area.'Refreshments' had been taken at several stops and no doubt had an influence on how the attack on the group was reacted to,though Gen. Collins was not one to cower while other Men fought and died.All the time there (24/06/2016) the only thought in my mind was 'why didn't you fight from the Armoured car,but that would have meant sending another Man out! This was a tragic day for all Ireland,he would have been as brilliant at rebuilding Ireland as he was instrumental in freeing it.
+Mick Reilly given the situation that day,it's possible it was a 'Blue on Blue',but the possibility that He was deliberately betrayed,has been considered for years!
Mick Reilly aye he was killed by free stater lead coz he wanted to build up the free state army up to be able with the help of the I.R.A. to fight & defeat britain & loyalist north & so unite ireland as a republlic !!!!
What does yurt mean would you like to help me as a nice thing for me to learn as I know some of the real language of Ireland and would like to learn more so could you help me please
The fact that Mr Collins was killed by Irish hands is incredibly sad, I kind if feel like the British came to the table knowing the treaty would cause their Irish enemies to fight and kill themselves
You are 100% correct. When the Irish Civil War broke out Lord Birkenhead(F.E.Smith) who would be considered s "hawk" in today's political parlance stated with dark unfeeling sarcasm "Better Irish blood than British blood".
Too true. We are given a revised history of British imperialism. This man may seem radicalized but amazing to me, as an Irishwoman, that the BBC finally funded something a bit more honest; more incredible when u tho k it was made a few years after Bloody Sunday
It was funded by ITV ,Lew Grade .Having seen the finished product Lew would not show it. Griffiths sued him and won. Seen it many times over the years and his film on the Boer war. Seems a bit dated and melodramatic in delivery today but still aged pretty well.
Michael John was my great great uncle Mick lived with his sister and the rest of my family in the East End of London until 1916 most of the family had converted to protestants' for marriage and burial reasons and were fighting in the British Army
I used to see Griffith sitting on his own pulling strange faces in a greasy spoon cafe in Haverford West back in 1975 as for Mick he left something here when he broke Dev out of nick
He does lay it on just a little bit thick in places... (12:41) ".. including a warship (contemptuosly) 'of sorts', out there (words positively DRIP with venom) -ON THE LIFFEY..!" Poor old Liffey didn't have any say in the matter!
How strange that so many Irish from North and South went to live and and work amongst 'the enemy" to improve their lot and live life as any other Brit could without any restrictions. Was it daily torture having to be around fellow Brits? Come on! I grew up with Irish women who had emigrated to the SE of England and they all married well ( all to Englishmen ) and had a great life with their families.
Iv just CZcamsd Michael Collins documentary..but something tells me recent documentarys won't be as authentic as this..so I'll watch this first..so here we go.
Check out "Curious Journey" which was made by the same documentary maker(Kenneth Griffith) where he speaks to IRA veterans of the Irish War of Independence including Tom Barry(he served with the RFA during WW1 and would be the most successful field commander against the British) and David Nelligan(an IRA agent working in Dublin Castle). Both would write their memoirs "Guerilla Day"s in Ireland" and "The Spy in the Castle".
Anyone watch Toast of London? Toast is a direct parody of this archaic and now almost defunct English stage actor class of which this man, Kenneth Griffith, belongs. Bring them back, I say.
The treaty should be regarded null in void, as the mandate of the 1918 election of a 32 county republic governed from Dublin was never enacted or adhered to by the British administration of that time, that is the wrong that has yet to be put right
Very moving portrait of a brave warrior who was pragmatic as was Griffith..... My grandparents and my own parents people were anti treaty in their leanings but objectively Collins was right. Civil war is vile.
@ Simon Dean "14:00 I can find no record of this man in the record of participants who was shot 25 times and lived. Sounds like he is saying Karl Brewer. Can anyone help?" Cathal Brugha is your Karl Brewer.
A great documentary about a great man. I should like to take issue with how he always used the term “English” when talking about Collins’ enemies. So, no Scots or Welsh or Northern Irish ever worked for the government forces then? Blatant writing out of Celtic nations from history and absolving his fellow celts of any guilt. Shame.
Great point you make Simon. Scottish regiments such as the Cameron Highlanders and Royal Scots(Lothian Regiment) left a legacy of murder in counties Cork and Clare respectively. The Royal Welch Fusiliers and Welch Regiment were deployed in counties Limerick and Dublin to suppress the insurgency. Some of the most notorious Black & Tans and Auxiliaries were Scots or from N.Ireland.
@@waynegoodman3345 thank Wayne. Often feels like I’m the only one who realises this. It’s all these narrow nationalists seeking to evade responsibility for an institution that is now deeply unfashionable.
@@simonholyoak8869 the act of union largely happened because of Scotland's failed attempts at becoming a colonial power(Darian scheme ...read about it guys)when that failed they wanted a piece of Englands colonial possessions.
I heard Michael was in love with Sir John Lavery, whose wife was the model of the woman displayed on Irish notes up until the introduction of the euro. Lady Lavery and Sir John were neighbours of Sir Winston Churchill. Churchill credited Lady Lavery with saving his life by teaching him how to paint. Sir John Lavery was a close confident of Collins and helped to negotiate discussions with the British government and the Irish embryonic government.
It would make sense if he were gay or bi. He was suspiciously good looking and doted on the little kids in his family. Apparently he also lived old people and animals. I don't know if he could dance I suspect all the men back then could.
I'm not even Irish but this documentary has me ready to fight the good fight to free Ireland from the tyranny of empire
That would be the empire of the EU ....... welcome aboard.
Very yurt.
Wow, powerful stuff.
this shit isn't taught in British schools.
Thanks to blindboy for the hook up.
X
Yep, all credit to Blindboy for this find. Mad stuff but entertaining.
If u liked this watch his other recommendation THE ERIC ANDRE SHOW
He’s a scumbag traitor
big up blindboy...
I have long been facinated by the history of the Irish troubles. I found this documentary by accident while looking to read about the life of the presenter. It was excellent. I have no comment to make on Ireland, too much blood has been spilt there. Suffice to say, Michael Collins is a son of that country. He left an indelible mark and doubtless is still held in reverence the Irish people. I found it humbling to hear his story. The story of a country fighting for its freedom from British oppression.
Sean I'm English and from Manchester and to my knowledge have no Irish blood although Lancahire is full of people with Irish connections (my wife) Most English people haven't a clue has to what happened in Ireland under British rule and I don't think they're particularly interested.Personally I'm very interested in Irish history and have educated myself on the subject.The people were treated appallingly by the British Estanlishment and personally makes you embarrassed to be English..However believe me their own kind (the poor ) were not treated much better.
@@Topper954 United Irishmen where first Irish Republicans 1791-1803 tried and failed to unite Roman Catholics Protestant (Anglicans) and Dissenters (Presbyterians) led by Irish Protestant patriot Wolfe Tone.
This is without a doubt the finest film about Michael Collins ever made
Fantastic presenter delivered with such wonderful Irish sarcasm to the the sound of English pomposity! As an Irish man I can’t believe after 42 years alive this is the first time seeing this, I can only assume it was buried deep.
Hi Michael. Check out "Curious Journey" which was also made by Kenneth Griffith where he speaks to IRA veterans including Tom Barry(the most successful IRA Commander) and David Neligan(the famous spy in the castle).It also appears in book form under the title "Irelands Unfinished Revolution". Both documentaries were banned at the time and Kenneth Griffith went to court to get them shown. They were never shown in Ireland.
He also made 2 great documentaries for the BBC which were about the Boer War and Anglo-Zulu War. I remember Kenneth Griffith appearing in an episode of "Minder".
Welsh sarcasm I think - from a Celtic cousin... being called Jones, surprised you didn't spot that. He does have a very idiosyncratic way of narrating a documentary - doesn't displease me. Amazed that an English TV station apparently financed it though... God bless the 70s
It was banned by the IBA for 20 years and only shown on BBC in 1993. The Kenneth Griffith Archive is on YT - but note that Griffith betrayed his anti-colonialist stance as he was a Zionist placing a Zionist Settller-Colonialist flag [along with the Welsh and Irish] on his grave!
Yank here. I discovered this documentary last year and watched here from beginning to end. Kenneth Griffith can really tell the story of Michael Collins with passion.
The Big Fella was born 130 years ago today. The Greatest Irish Hero.
Greatest traitor
thumbs up if Blindboy sent you
Fook him.
Kenneth Griffith was magnificent as the presenter of this fine documentary, no one could have done it better.
Dave Allen?
He made another fantastic one about the Boer War for the BBC in 1992-1993.
@@Johnconno The Irish comedian whose father was an Auxiliary Cadet during the Irish War of Independence?
@@johnroche7541 Was he killed?
@@Johnconno He survived the conflict. As a matter of interest the bookmaker William Hill was only a teenager when he was a Black &Tan in Co. Cork. Obviously he would establish a chain of betting shops in later life that still bare his name!
Lived with Kenneth in his home in Angel, and he was an Angel of TRUTH. Miss him very much.
I remember watching this on TV back in the early 90's I think. It was shown on British TV, as Irish TV never had the liathróidí to show such a documentary. A wonderful, biased, truthful account of one of Irelands greatest men, who was ultimately shafted by that lanky streak of piss yank devalara. A shyster in word and deed. Collins was and remains a hero to many of us in Ireland, and it reinforces the contradictory nature of Ireland as a nation that it takes a Welsh actor to most accurately tell his story.
It was made by the BBC in the 70s and they wouldn't show it so griffith took them to court for political censorship and he won so they had to show it but they only did in the 90s. The Irish don't have the right to broadcast it.
@@frankclancy508 fair and accurate explanation Frank. Do you think RTÉ would have ever considered buying the rights from BBC? Tubridys wage is knocking about now.
@@gavinobrien3654 I reckon RTÉ is in a tough spot at the moment auld TV isn't looking desperate hot with the Internet taking over.
best documentary on Michael Collins ever
The best presenter I have ever listened to.
Kenneth griffith was a fine actor/ documentary maker, a dear friend of Ireland & a proud Welshman, one of few celts in acting who spoke up for political causes, a decent man & a credit to the Welsh nation
Agree 100%. He made another documentary called "Curious Journey" where he speaks to IRA veterans of the Irish War of Independence including Tom Barry and these interviews are also in book form called "Irelands Unfinished Revolution". He made two great documentaries about the Anglo Zulu War and 2nd Boer War also. He always championed the cause of the oppressed. Great human being.
The best documentary on Michael Collins that I have seen. First Class R.I.P.
I agree
Excellent lesson in history. I’m older than most viewers, so I smiled during the tear drops. I’m grateful for my Healing teat drops.
Check out "Curious Journey" which was made by the same documentary maker(Kemneth Griffith) where he speaks to IRA veterans of the Irish War of Independence. It was also made in the 1970's.
This is a superb documentary about Michael Collins.
Kenneth Griffith was a wonderful presenter and narrator.
Eamon de Valera: “It is my considered opinion that in the fullness of time history will record the greatness of Michael Collins and it will be recorded at my expense.”
Too right. The worst traitor to Ireland after LV.
@@panoramicLight whos LV?
Leo Varadker
@@panoramicLight Nah Dermait Mac Murchadha 1169 Anglo Norman Invasion that what I call a rat a slippery one.
@@RobertK1993 Dermot of the foreigners...
Great documentary with that wonderful eccentric Kenneth Griffith 🇬🇧
Welsh independence
The most hilarious history lesson ever.The antics enthral me.Love it.
A man with a plastic bag on his head said this would be good craic
He’s a scumbag traitor fook him.
Michael Collins is great Irish patriot.
Takes a great Welsh actor to tell the story of a great Irish hero :)
Downloading this in case it gets taken down. Jesus, RTÉ wouldn't even air something like this. Honestly incredible, and not sure if I should have been laughing in places but I was
So true fook them.
Same I downloaded it and will archive it somewhere in case they ever dare to take this down
Amazing documentary. Full of insight, intelligence and passion.
SJ S i Love you Baby Girl luv yiü en Gaelic too babe
One of the great Welsh actors Kenneth Griffith. The film was made by ATV in 1973, but Lew Grade panicked and shelved the programme. By the way the Ulster Volunteer Force also got their guns from Germany. Griffith was right about his compatriot Lloyd George. Such a duplicitous bastard. Ireland will always be England's problem.
Easily the best (and most accurate) documentary on the life (and death) of the Big Fellah.
Great documentary covering perhaps one of the most tragic events in the whole history of
these Islands.The vast majority of English people haven't a clue what happened in Ireland.
It's gone on for nigh on 700yrs.and still isn't over.
Scales falling from people's eyes.
@Simon Archbold I'm English Simon but I Would like to think that the grievenses of the ordinary people of Ireland are with the British ruling class and not with the ordinary working class British people.They treated the Irish appalling but also treated their own kind not much better.
*England was enslaved by the Roman's for 400 years and when they left, they left a power vacuum & England fell into chaos & the Irish took advantage of this & waged unspeakable horrors on the English for a further 300 years.
Maybe you were the aggressor all along?
@@Topper954 topper would be a reference to the leader of the Claw yes?
@@myowngenesis Baffled who are the claw?
This man that's commentating is a Welsh Actor that's been on many of the programs in the 70s 80s, he was on a episode of minder, first class Actor
...."Anyway he shouldn't have burnt that little farmhouse down" What an understatement. Later when Percival surrendered his troops to the Japanese he received a telegram from his old nemesis in Ireland Tom Barry congratulating him on his defense of Singapore. Tom it seems couldn't help himself but get in one last dig at his old enemy Percival.
you know something is really good when it's distribution is suppressed. An excellent account and superbly presented. Great find here :)
Hi Maria. If that is your genuine profile picture you are very beautiful and hot.
By the way Maria check out "Curious Journey" which was made by the same documentary maker(Kenneth Griffiths) where he speaks to IRA veterans of the Irish War of Independence. It was made around the same time as this Michael Collins documentary.
Thank you, My GALWAY born farther died in October but his youngest son is watching now & forever R.I Glory DAD!! !! Up GALWAY GOD SAVE IRELAND FROM NORTH EAST IMMIGRANTS !! "!
R.i.p Michael Collins.
Upon Collins’s death Churchill wrote: “He was an Irish patriot, true and fearless... When in future times the Irish Free State is not only prosperous and happy, but an active and annealing force... regard will be paid by widening circles to his life and to his death...Successor to a sinister inheritance, reared among fierce conditions and moving through ferocious times, he supplied those qualities of action and personality without which the foundations of Irish nationhood would not have been re-established.” For the rest of his life, Churchill always referred to Collins as “General Collins”-high praise indeed.
High praise indeed I think churchill feared an respected him in equal measure I study a lot of great armie generals an such I respect the fact churchill was a terrible foe to behold but I feel churchill felt the same about Collins because the campaign he undertook against the British and results he got considering the British empire was so strong and the republic movement was so weak in comparison to it and still that steely temperament that the irish had
Amen
Churchill forced Collins to signe a treaty which divided Ireland to this day. He threatened Collins with an invasion which would mean total inilation of which lead to a civil war that set brother against brother. I dont blame Collins (who settled for peace). I dont blame De Valera who saw future division and conflict but I do blame Churchill who, (ignore Irish sentiment if you wish) even by his own peers was seen as the most brutal of imperialists prolonged the "Irish problem" as you refer to it, to this day.
@@Johnnyfive55 Absolutely ! Churchill knew the I R A were short of arms amunittion and men, Mick Collins knew that also,he also knew that Churchill was more than capable of making good his threat to invade. With a reformed R I C and Auxies starting to get results. The 'Big Fella'was quite right to seize an end to 'bloody mayem' in most sensible peoples view.
@@Johnnyfive55 I presume you do know that Lloyd George was PM 1916-22, during those oh so critical years for Ireland.Are you saying that HE wasn't running the show?
The Ulster Unionist imported guns into Larne in 1913. Apart from some being deployed against rabbits and hares, those weapons ended up rusting away in attics.However, make no mistake:
If Germany had invaded during WW1, those guns would have been used against them. If the British government had tried to establish Home Rule for all of Ireland within the Empire, never mind a fully independent state, those guns would even have been used by the Unionists in a 'British Civil War'.
If the 'South', at any time, in the decades after partition, had attempted to coerce the six counties into a united Ireland, there would have been an 'Irish Civil War.'
That conflict would have made the actual Irish Civil War of 1922-23 fought between the IRA's pro and anti-Treaty wings,seem like a tea party in comparison.
The implacable, unyielding and even fanatical determination of Ulster Unionism to remain within the UK completely over rides the individual agendas of leaders like Lloyd George,Churchill, Collins and De Valera.
Collins was a hard headed practical realist. De Valera was a dreamer and a schemer.
I admire Churchill for his wonderful and inspiring leadership during WW2 against the vicious 20th century imperialism of Nazi Germany. However, he gloried in the story of British imperialism and saw no contradiction.
He didn't want to surrender India and God only knows what would have happened if the Tories had managed to win the 1945 election.
Kenneth Griffith was under-rated as both an actor and documentary film maker.
"COME ON YOU BEAUTIES" 🗡
He was excellent in this documentary and he was great in the wild geese
Brilliant documentary which was cencored by britain for years
Excellent documentary on Michael Collins. He was an extraordinary man indeed.
Check out "Curious Journey" which was made by the same documentary maker(Kenneth Griffith) where he speaks to IRA veterans of the Irish War of Independence including Tom Barry and David Nelligan the famous spy in Dublin castle.
I miss hosts such as these - sweating, monogramed flask nearing empty, belting out eccentric renditions of historical quotes and all as he stomps through one set place after another like a man on his way to quench a terrible thirst.
I remember when i first saw this in england, at the end of the credits a note from the BBC said "Never to be shown on irish television"
This has got to be the best documentary about one of Irelands greatest Irishman, Michael Collins.
My mom last name is Collins before she was married, I wonder where that name came from. We are a mixed family meaning most of my family are mixed black and white. Most of my family members with the Collins last name look white are close too it. If my mom and dad did not marry I would have grown up with the Collins last name. I have to find out if my family have Irish roots. My husband grandfather is Irish the one he never met yes my husband is white. We both are making a trip to Ireland.
Collins - O Coilleain. An Irish Gaelic surname anglicised by English colonial authorities occupying Ireland.
Did you make it to Ireland?
An absolutely superb documentary.A masterpiece.
From what ive taken from my years of interest in Ireland is that Michael Collins was an Irishman to the core, when Collins and co set off on this mission all had the same objective, a free and united Ireland, this is where i differentiate from most, i feel like events that happened led to those involved let feelings get the better of their intelligence which in turn presented a difference of opinion when it came to the deal in London, alot of people speculate as to why Collins and Griffith were sent and my personal opinion is that the ones who sent them didnt have the courage to do the bidding themselves, knew their own ideas couldnt realistically be achieved at that moment in time leading to them thinking of public opinion and not what is best for the public, Collins knew this the minute he was told he was going to London, this is a man who was able to infiltrate the british intelligence units in ireland of course he knew the outcome of this decision. I dont know who had Collins killed but i do know it was a moment in time that Ireland didnt need, i feel like alot of sneakiness happened in Ireland, much more than we are told and this i feel was the downfall of many great men.
Collins was Irish and De Valera was Jewish.
@@trevortractor Dev was American born and half Spanish, half Irish.
Dev was a coward
Check out "Curious Journey" which was made by the same documentary maker(Kenneth Griffith) where he speaks to IRA veterans of the Irish War of Independence. It was also made in the 1970's.
A Brilliant Documentary,
Fun fact: This documentary was banned in Britain for over 2 decades because it showed the atrocities of the British Army and the RIC during the War of Independence.
No way
@@francishynes645 Yes way! Finally shown on UK TV in the mid 90s I had the VCR ready that day
@@robturner3065 How did the British atrocities Compare with the Sicherheitsdeinst in the occupied countries of Europe,or the Kempi Tai in Asia.
Very good upload, havnt seen that since 93!!
A true Patriot if not a fanatic Rebel. Whomsoever travelled to that deal in London would have had to sign, or face responsibility for more untolled deaths in Eire. Michael knowingly signed his life away, to move the country on from 700 years, toward a dreamed for country, ... which is closer now than ever before.
It's easy to be an unreasonable perfectionist, and take the moral highest ground, but immoral to not recognise who really put that high-ground beneath their ever floating Feet.
God Bless Michael Collins. Though I'm not your countryman my respect for your choices is of the highest. You never ran with the Hare, nor hunted with the hounds though it may cost your life .. even though undoubtedly accused of it by lesser men. sign of integrity. Not a rebel, but a Patriot.
We're not only Celtic, but Mediterannean, Baltic, Nordic, as well: DNA survey.
Michael Collins my hero
Beal Na Blath is the most natural Ambush site you can imagine! It's no wonder General Collins reached for a Rifle! To travel such roads in an Open touring car was pretty brazen,but he was riding in his homeland and had been no doubt enjoying the day socialising and visiting Army units in the area.'Refreshments' had been taken at several stops and no doubt had an influence on how the attack on the group was reacted to,though Gen. Collins was not one to cower while other Men fought and died.All the time there (24/06/2016) the only thought in my mind was 'why didn't you fight from the Armoured car,but that would have meant sending another Man out! This was a tragic day for all Ireland,he would have been as brilliant at rebuilding Ireland as he was instrumental in freeing it.
+Mick Reilly given the situation that day,it's possible it was a 'Blue on Blue',but the possibility that He was deliberately betrayed,has been considered for years!
my family come from crookstown and i have visited the ambush site many times a very wild spot,
Mick Reilly aye he was killed by free stater lead coz he wanted to build up the free state army up to be able with the help of the I.R.A. to fight & defeat britain & loyalist north & so unite ireland as a republlic !!!!
Collins was drunk and killed in his very first gun battle.
Here because of @rubberbandit yurt
What does yurt mean would you like to help me as a nice thing for me to learn as I know some of the real language of Ireland and would like to learn more so could you help me please
He’s a rat 🐀 sellout
I am both laughing and crying watching this.
Thank you so much for this video!
The fact that Mr Collins was killed by Irish hands is incredibly sad, I kind if feel like the British came to the table knowing the treaty would cause their Irish enemies to fight and kill themselves
You are 100% correct. When the Irish Civil War broke out Lord Birkenhead(F.E.Smith) who would be considered s "hawk" in today's political parlance stated with dark unfeeling sarcasm "Better Irish blood than British blood".
@@johnroche7541 There was after all six or more Irish regiments in the British Army at this time.
God rest you Michael xx
Just watched a doc. On Michael Collins and found this also . Will a comment after watching.
this is true ? these guys make Jefferson and Washington look wishy washy such a tiny place to produce such courage
It is true indeed
Too true. We are given a revised history of British imperialism. This man may seem radicalized but amazing to me, as an Irishwoman, that the BBC finally funded something a bit more honest; more incredible when u tho k it was made a few years after Bloody Sunday
It was funded by ITV ,Lew Grade
.Having seen the finished product Lew would not show it.
Griffiths sued him and won.
Seen it many times over the years and his film on the Boer war.
Seems a bit dated and melodramatic in delivery today but still aged pretty well.
The truth wins 0ut in the end.
Oh too have a leader running our country like Michael Collins.
Now we have mehole Martin before him Leo.
How far we have fallen traitors to Eire.
Fantastic documentary
Michaels father was an adult at the time of the artificial famine. Michael was his revenge.
Michael was the Knight King... & they did end up building a wall in the north.
Michael John was my great great uncle Mick lived with his sister and the rest of my family in the East End of London until 1916 most of the family had converted to protestants' for marriage and burial reasons and were fighting in the British Army
I used to see Griffith sitting on his own pulling strange faces in a greasy spoon cafe in Haverford West back in 1975 as for Mick he left something here when he broke Dev out of nick
He does lay it on just a little bit thick in places... (12:41) ".. including a warship (contemptuosly) 'of sorts', out there (words positively DRIP with venom) -ON THE LIFFEY..!"
Poor old Liffey didn't have any say in the matter!
you can see how historians like starkey have copied this guys style.
How strange that so many Irish from North and South went to live and and work amongst 'the enemy" to improve their lot and live life as any other Brit could without any restrictions. Was it daily torture having to be around fellow Brits? Come on! I grew up with Irish women who had emigrated to the SE of England and they all married well ( all to Englishmen ) and had a great life with their families.
Collins had a lot of respect for the English people...it was the government/crown that were his enemy.
Stewie Griffin’s real father confirmed
Ha Ha Ha Ha!! 👍
Iv just CZcamsd Michael Collins documentary..but something tells me recent documentarys won't be as authentic as this..so I'll watch this first..so here we go.
Look up RTEs Irelands greatest, documentary on Michael Collins.It is very good.Concise and precise.
@@patrickmurray1095 Not just good, but spectacular. And I'm a Yank who usually only likes the BBC.
Glory O to the bold Fenian men
21:25 LOL I love this man.
Very good.
It was 23 bullets that Cathal Brugha carried in his body, then the final wounds years later during the Civil Way were fatal.
His name was Cathal Brugha and he was injured by a grenade and shot multiple times in the rising but 25 times is a fabrication.
Thanks for the upload.
Collins was always our family hero but this presentation is ott and divisive.
ya boi, mick collins
For my Irish heritage ❤️
Check out "Curious Journey" which was made by the same documentary maker(Kenneth Griffith) where he speaks to IRA veterans of the Irish War of Independence including Tom Barry(he served with the RFA during WW1 and would be the most successful field commander against the British) and David Nelligan(an IRA agent working in Dublin Castle). Both would write their memoirs "Guerilla Day"s in Ireland" and "The Spy in the Castle".
Anyone watch Toast of London? Toast is a direct parody of this archaic and now almost defunct English stage actor class of which this man, Kenneth Griffith, belongs. Bring them back, I say.
Yes I can hear you Clem Fandango
He was Welsh
Love this 😍
I believe that this documentary was initially aired in Sweden on SVT1 on 16 March 1974.
The treaty should be regarded null in void, as the mandate of the 1918 election of a 32 county republic governed from Dublin was never enacted or adhered to by the British administration of that time, that is the wrong that has yet to be put right
This is good
Thank you for recording this, it’s a fair perspective of an ugly moment in history.
Amazing ❤️🇮🇪
I never though thought the "IRA" could luxuriant and sexy until 11.09 lmfao....
The big fella 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪☘️☘️☘️👊👍💪
16th October 1890 - 22nd August 1922 ....... RIP Big Fella, 100 years ago today 22nd August 2022
Percival burned down Collins house?! Given what Churchill said about wishing he had Collins instead of Percival... pretty funny.
Great age holds something some ting for me that is awesome....
Very moving portrait of a brave warrior who was pragmatic as was Griffith..... My grandparents and my own parents people were anti treaty in their leanings but objectively Collins was right. Civil war is vile.
Learning CAN be fun.
One of the greatest docs ive ever seen, had kin on both sides in Ireland, damned proud to be Irish descent
So am I, ready to go!
Brilliant documentary
i loved this doku
Great documentary
Some eggs with that ham Ken.
Pass the mustard! I remember him as Whitty in The Wild Geese.
@ Simon Dean
"14:00 I can find no record of this man in the record of participants who was shot 25 times and lived. Sounds like he is saying Karl Brewer. Can anyone help?"
Cathal Brugha is your Karl Brewer.
I thought Cathal Brugha was Charles Burgess?
Roddy Teague Cathal Brugha is Charles Burgess in Irish
@@saorbhreatachocroimin8193 I know. He spent the first half of his life using the Anglicised version before his conversion. A bit like Frank Card!
A great documentary about a great man. I should like to take issue with how he always used the term “English” when talking about Collins’ enemies. So, no Scots or Welsh or Northern Irish ever worked for the government forces then? Blatant writing out of Celtic nations from history and absolving his fellow celts of any guilt. Shame.
Great point you make Simon. Scottish regiments such as the Cameron Highlanders and Royal Scots(Lothian Regiment) left a legacy of murder in counties Cork and Clare respectively. The Royal Welch Fusiliers and Welch Regiment were deployed in counties Limerick and Dublin to suppress the insurgency. Some of the most notorious Black & Tans and Auxiliaries were Scots or from N.Ireland.
@@johnroche7541 thank you. I hate it when everyone blames the English for things the BRITISH empire did
That's true the Scots and Welsh were willing partners in building and running the British Empire they profited from it very nicely as well.
@@waynegoodman3345 thank Wayne. Often feels like I’m the only one who realises this. It’s all these narrow nationalists seeking to evade responsibility for an institution that is now deeply unfashionable.
@@simonholyoak8869 the act of union largely happened because of Scotland's failed attempts at becoming a colonial power(Darian scheme ...read about it guys)when that failed they wanted a piece of Englands colonial possessions.
Cheers lads.
Am From Belfast And ITS still British
Those released prisoners sang _Deustchlandlied_ 6 years before it was chosen as Germany’s new anthem. They sure were ahead of the times
I heard Michael was in love with Sir John Lavery, whose wife was the model of the woman displayed on Irish notes up until the introduction of the euro. Lady Lavery and Sir John were neighbours of Sir Winston Churchill. Churchill credited Lady Lavery with saving his life by teaching him how to paint. Sir John Lavery was a close confident of Collins and helped to negotiate discussions with the British government and the Irish embryonic government.
It would make sense if he were gay or bi. He was suspiciously good looking and doted on the little kids in his family. Apparently he also lived old people and animals. I don't know if he could dance I suspect all the men back then could.
Really good hagiography ...
Thanks a lot.