I've recently added this to my collection (also Rob Roy) as I enjoy Liam Neeson's work. Alan Ryckman is also superb and really does make the quintessential 'villian'. From what I understand the film maker didn't take great liberties with the truth. It does raise the question of how Ireland would have been different had Micheal Collins had lived. It also show the many different factions of Irish and Northern Irish politics. I do have to question the casting of Julia Roberts but I guess including her helped sell the movie this side of the Atlantic.