The General (1998): cast, story & where to watch
1998 · Film · ★ 6.7
Released in 1998, The General is a drama, crime and history film directed by John Boorman, running about 124 minutes. “The extraordinary true story of the rise and fall of the gangster, Martin Cahill.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. 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.
Who’s in it. The General stars Brendan Gleeson as Martin Cahill, Adrian Dunbar as Noel Curley, Sean McGinley as Gary and Maria Doyle Kennedy as Frances, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.7/10, The General has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response. It went on to earn $1.2M at the box office.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The General page.
If you liked it. Fans of The General tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The General (1998)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The General change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The General worth watching?
- The General holds an audience score of 6.7 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama, crime and history. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The General?
- The General stars Brendan Gleeson, Adrian Dunbar, Sean McGinley, Maria Doyle Kennedy and Angeline Ball.
- When was The General released?
- The General was released in 1998, with a runtime of about 124 minutes.