Liam Neeson Movies
Standing a burly 6'4", Liam Neeson was once described by a theatre critic as a "towering sequoia of sex." To say that he has undeniable charisma is certainly accurate, but it is a charisma composed as much of impressive talent as of broken-nosed physical appeal. Bearing both versatility and quiet forcefulness, Neeson has been touted as one of the most compelling actors of the late 20th century.Born June 7, 1952, in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, Neeson had an upbringing partially defined by his involvement in boxing. He became active in the sport as a teenager, earning his distinctive broken nose in the process; he stayed with boxing until he began experiencing black-outs from repeated blows to the head. Initially interested in a career as a teacher, Neeson attended Belfast's Queens College, but he aborted his studies after developing a desire to act. In 1976, he joined Belfast's Lyric Theatre, and two years later he began performing the classics at Dublin's famed Abbey Theatre. While he was with the Abbey, Neeson was discovered by director John Boorman, who cast him as Gawain in 1981's Excalibur. Following his part in that action fantasy, Neeson had supporting roles in such films as The Mission (1986), and he was featured in leads opposite Cher in Suspect (1987) and Diane Keaton in The Good Mother (1988).
He got his first starring vehicle in 1990 with Sam Raimi's Darkman; unfortunately, the film was a relative disappointment. Neeson continued to do starring work in such films as Big Man (1991), which featured him as a boxer, Ethan Frome (1992), and Under Suspicion (1992), but ironically, it was his work on the stage that led to his true screen breakthrough. In 1992, the actor was turning in a Tony-nominated performance in Anna Christie opposite Natasha Richardson (whom he would marry in 1994) on Broadway. His work attracted the notice of Steven Spielberg, who was so impressed with what he saw that he cast Neeson as Oskar Schindler in his landmark Holocaust drama Schindler's List (1993). Neeson received Best Actor Oscar and British Academy Award nominations for his performance, and he subsequently didn't have to worry about finding work in Hollywood, or elsewhere, again.
More high-profile work followed for Neeson, who went on to star in such films as Nell (1994), Rob Roy (1995), and Michael Collins (1996). However acclaimed his previous work had been, none of it received the hype of one of Neeson's 1999 projects, Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. Although the film, which starred Neeson as a Jedi master, ultimately earned a galaxy's worth of negative reviews, it mined box office millions. Its success further enhanced Neeson's status as one of the world's most visible actors, and it even helped to downplay the disappointment of The Haunting, his other film that year. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- 1996
In Northern Ireland, factionalism between Catholics and Protestants has been a subject of contention and violence (and an unfortunate way of life) for many years. The lines of cultural division are established early on -- children attend Catholic or Protestant schools, helping to insure that even in their youth, the two sides rarely meet on neutral ground and come to know each other as people. In 1993, a group of Belfast citizens decided that it was time to put prejudices aside in the interest of peace and bring together a new generation of children; they opened the Cranmore Integrated Primary School, which educates Protestant and Catholic youth side by side. Opening the school was an uphill battle, as the Irish government refuses to sanction integrated schools, and Cranmore faced opposition from leaders on both sides. However, with the announcement of the IRA's cease fire in 1994 and renewed negotiations to bring a lasting and workable peace to Northern Ireland, the school began to look less like a pipe dream and more like part of a practical long-term solution to the nation's problems. Irish-American filmmakers Jennifer McShane and Tricia Regan traveled to Belfast and documented the struggle to create Cranmore Integrated Primary School. A Leap of Faith is the record of the school's troubled first year. Liam Neeson narrates. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
A man struggling to escape the political unrest of Northern Ireland finds that his violent past still follows him in this drama. Martin Fallon (Mickey Rourke) is a terrorist with the Irish Republican Army who, while attempting to blow up a British military transport, accidentally bombs a bus full of schoolchildren. The incident haunts Fallon, who decides to quit the IRA and escape to London. Fallon wants to relocate to America, but he lacks a passport, and his criminal past would prevent him from getting one. Jack Meehan (Alan Bates), a British gangster who knows about Fallon's past, offers him a deal -- he can get Fallon the papers and the cash to go to America, but in return he must kill a man. A priest, Father De Costa (Bob Hoskins), witnesses Fallon committing the murder, and Fallon wants to find a way to keep De Costa quiet without putting more blood on his hands. The original director of A Prayer for the Dying, Franc Roddam, left the production midway through shooting due to disputes with the producers, and star Mickey Rourke later attempted to disassociate himself from the film. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mickey Rourke, Bob Hoskins, (more)
The made-for-television adaptation of Barbara Taylor Bradford's A Woman of Substance stars Jenny Seagrove as Emma Harte, a character who grows from maid to internationally feared and respected businesswoman. The all-star cast includes Liam Neeson, Deborah Kerr, and Barry Bostwick. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 1984
A Woman of Substance is a six-hour TV miniseries, based on the best-selling novel by Barbara Taylor Bradford. This story of a British servant girl who, through sheer force of will, becomes one of the world's most powerful women, stars Jenny Seagrove as Emma Hart from age 15 to 49, and Deborah Kerr as Emma from 50 to 79 (curiously, Kerr was Emmy-nominated for her work, while Seagrove, who had the more difficult assignment, was not). Part one of Woman of Substance was subtitled "Nest of Vipers." Here we find Emma discharged from her job after a desultory affair with her employer's son (Peter Chelsolm). A Woman of Substance was syndicated to local TV stations beginning on November 26, 1984. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
"Fighting for the Dream" was the third and final installment of the six-hour TV miniseries A Woman of Substance (see separate entries for information of episode one, "Nest of Vipers", and episode two "The Secret is Revealed."). Expanding her business activities beyond the small town of Leeds, former serving girl Emma Hart (Jenny Seagrove) seeks vengeance on the aristocratic family that has wronged her. She also falls in love with handsome Major Paul McGill (Barry Bostwick). When last we see Emma, she is played by Deborah Kerr, who was Emmy-nominated for her performance. When it was first syndicated to local TV stations on November 26, 1984, A Woman of Substance was also offered in a two-part version, each episode running three hours. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
The second chapter of the six-hour TV miniseries A Woman of Substance was subtitled "The Secret is Revealed" (see separate entry for episode one, A Woman of Substance: Nest of Vipers). After losing her job due to a romantic entanglement with her employer's son, Emma Hart (Jenny Seagrove) heads to Leeds, where she starts a small business. Her enterprise blossoms beyond her wildest dreams, and by episode's end Emma is the wealthiest woman in the region. This sets us up for Episode Three, wherein the role of Emma is taken over by Deborah Kerr. The official premiere date of "The Secret is Revealed" was December 3, 1984, though some local stations ran the episode a week earlier. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Originally filmed in 1982, Arthur the King wasn't able to secure a network-TV berth until April 26, 1985. Malcolm McDowell plays good King Arthur, whose dream of Camelot is endangered by the evil Morgan Le Fay, played by Candice Bergen in her TV-movie debut. That this might have been intended as the pilot for a weekly series is evidenced by the otherwise pointless inclusion of Dyan Cannon, cast as a ditzy 20th- Century tourist who falls through a time warp while roaming around Stonehenge. You'll want to see Arthur the King if only to find out why minor-player Miro Pfeiffer's character name is "Undead Knight". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The origins of the Caped Crusader of Gotham City are finally brought to the big screen in this new adaptation of the perennially popular comic-book series. The young Bruce Wayne (Gus Lewis) leads a privileged life as the son of wealthy, philanthropist parents, both of whom stress their commitment to improving the lives of the citizens of crime-ridden Gotham City. After his mother and father are murdered by a mugger, however, Wayne grows into an impudent young man (Christian Bale), full of rage and bent on retribution until encouraged by his childhood sweetheart, Rachel Dawes (Katie Holmes), to search for answers beyond his own personal vendettas. Wayne eventually finds discipline in the Far East under the tutelage of Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson), a member of the mysterious League of Shadows who guides him in the study of martial arts -- and the ways in which an ordinary man can hone his senses to an almost superhuman acuity. After seven years away from Gotham, Wayne returns, determined to bring peace and safety back to the city. With the help of his faithful manservant, Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Caine), and Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), a scientist at his late father's corporation, Wayne develops a secret identity as Batman, a masked fighter for justice. But when a shady psychiatrist (Cillian Murphy) joins forces with the criminal underworld, Wayne realizes that putting an end to their nefarious plans will be very difficult indeed. Batman Begins also features Gary Oldman as Lt. James Gordon and Tom Wilkinson as the crime boss Carmine Falcone. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Christian Bale, Liam Neeson, (more)
Director Barbet Schroeder and screenwriter Ted Tally adapted the novel by Rosellen Brown into this intriguing drama that, while heavily criticized for a third-act revelation that is something of a cop-out, nevertheless features -- typically of Schroeder's work -- compelling performances, domestic discord, and a search for the truth. Meryl Streep stars as Carolyn Ryan, a rural Massachusetts pediatrician married to Ben (Liam Neeson), a handsome, rugged sculptor. Although theirs is not a picture-perfect marriage, the Ryans consider themselves happy, until police arrive at their home one morning to inform them that their son Jacob (Edward Furlong) was the last person seen the night before with a teenage girl who has been murdered. Jacob is missing, and the Ryans frantically search for him, but when the boy returns, it is obvious that he's not being completely truthful about the night's events. While Carolyn wants the truth, Ben is willing to go to whatever lengths are necessary to defend Jacob, hiring an expensive lawyer (Alfred Molina), destroying evidence, and encouraging Jacob to be deceitful. Carolyn and Ben's opposing views of their son's legal trouble cause serious turmoil in the Ryans' marriage, which may be irreparably harmed in spite of the 11th hour appearance of the truth. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Meryl Streep, Liam Neeson, (more)
An Irish boy becomes an emotional and sexual outcast as the 1960s fade into the 1970s in this period drama from director Neil Jordan. When he was just a baby in the early '60s, Patrick Braden (Conor McEvoy) was abandoned by his mother and left on the doorstep of a church overseen by Father Bernard (Liam Neeson). Placed in a foster home, sensitive Patrick doesn't much care for the emotionally chilly attitude of his new "family," and psychologically buffers himself against the world by writing stories that make fun of Father Bernard and the other authority figures in his life. As he grows into adulthood, Patrick (played as an adult by Cillian Murphy) also discovers that he enjoys dressing in women's clothes and prefers the company of men, and as a teenager he falls into an affair with Billy Hatchet (Gavin Friday), a nightclub performer who also runs guns for the Irish Republican Army. In the early '70s, Patrick -- who has since taken on the drag name "Kitten" -- makes his way to London, where he becomes involved with Bertie (Stephen Rea), a small-time nightclub magician who gives the young man a place to say, a sense of security, and a job as his on-stage assistant. However, Patrick's idyllic life with Bertie proves short-lived when his old friends come to town on IRA "business." Breakfast on Pluto also features a supporting performance from former Roxy Music frontman Bryan Ferry. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cillian Murphy, Stephen Rea, (more)
In this sequel to "Pilgrim's Progress" the wife of the Pilgrim and her children look for the Celestial city. The trials and obstacles they encounter during their quest serves to make them stronger. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
The 1981 mythological fantasy adventure Clash of the Titans is resurrected in this remake from Incredible Hulk director Louis Leterrier. The joint Legendary Films/Warner Bros. production focuses on Perseus (Sam Worthington), the mortal hero made to carry out a series of quests by the gods in order to win the hand of the imprisoned princess Andromeda (Alexa Davalos). Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Mads Mikkelsen, and Gemma Arterton co-star. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, (more)
IMAX director Greg MacGillivray's 2003 film, Coral Reef Adventure, follows the exploits and crusades of the husband and wife underwater filmmaking duo of Howard and Michelle Hall as they embark on a ten-month expedition of the world's most vibrant and endangered coral reefs. Beginning at the Great Barrier Reef off the Australian coast, the Halls explore the vast underwater ecosystem and the scores of wildlife that thrive off of it. Traveling on throughout a number of the South Pacific's most spectacular reefs, the filmmakers also visit some reefs on the verge of extinction, making the sobering point that an entire reef's death occurs very quickly, while its creation takes thousands of years. Coral Reef Adventure marks the third oceanic, ecologically-themed IMAX film from MacGillivray, following The Living Sea and Dolphins. Also featured in the film are famed sea explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau (son of the pioneering oceanographer Jacques Cousteau) and noted ichthyologist Richard Pyle. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
Filmmaker David Leland handled the directing chores on this British drama that stars Liam Neeson as an unemployed Scotsman whose inability to find a job threatens his family's wellbeing. Against his better judgement, Neeson is coerced into a bare-knuckle boxing match. Crossing the Line's supporting cast includes Hugh Grant, Joanne Whaley-Kilmer, Cameron Mitchell, and Billy Connolly. Adapted from a novel by William McIvanney, the film has also been released under the title The Big Man. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Liam Neeson, Joanne Whalley, (more)
Neglecting Julie (Frances McDormand), his lawyer lady friend, Dr. Peyton Westlake (Liam Neeson) works feverishly to perfect his latest invention -- artificial skin that could be used to treat burn victims. Peyton himself falls victim to an explosion when one of Julie's crooked clients sends his henchmen to sniff out an incriminating document that's been left in Westlake's lab. Hideously disfigured and left for dead, the good doctor receives an experimental medical treatment that renders him super-strong, impervious to pain and prone to heightened fits of rage. Rebuilding his lab into an underground hideout, Westlake begins using his synthetic skin to impersonate various characters and engineer his revenge against those who destroyed his life. Reconnecting with Julie, however, becomes the unsightly vigilante's biggest challenge. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Liam Neeson, Frances McDormand, (more)
- 1986
- R
Julie Andrews delivers a virtuoso dramatic performance in Duet for One. Based on a play by Tom Kempinski, the story concerns brilliant concert violinist Stephanie Anderson (Andrews) who is slowly succumbing to the ravages of multiple sclerosis. Stephanie's problems are compounded by her cheating husband David Cornwallis (Alan Bates), and her protégé Constantine Kassanis (Rupert Everett), who shows signs of "selling out" to popular entertainment. Max von Sydow, who previously co-starred with Andrews in Hawaii, plays psychiatrist Dr. Louis Feldman, who tries to help Stephanie cope with her debilitations, but who ends up as much an albatross around her neck as David and Constantine. Critics are still divided over whether or not the mystical sequences between Andrews and the ghost of her violin teacher (Sigfrit Steiner) truly work within the context of the plotline. Duet for One was the third English-language production for Russian filmmaker Andrei Konchalovsky. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Julie Andrews, Alan Bates, (more)
- 1983
The seven-hour TV miniseries Ellis Island was adapted from a novel by Fred Mustard Stewart. Per its title, the film is a mosaic of subplots involving several European immigrants who passed through New York's Ellis Island before taking up residence in the Big Apple. Most of the characters are based on real people, notably the Irving Berlin-like musician played by Peter Riegert. Co-stars Faye Dunaway, Richard Burton (in his last film role) and Ann Jillian were honored with Emmy nominations. Ironically, this essentially American saga was largely filmed in London. Originally telecast November 11, 13, and 14, 1984, Ellis Island was re-edited and re-telecast in the summer of 1986, just in time for the Statue of Liberty Centennial. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Ethan Frome is an adaptation of Edith Wharton's 1911 novella . Set in Massachusetts in the late-19th century, the film relates the sad story of reclusive farmer Ethan Frome (Liam Neeson). Considering himself too homely for romance, he enters into a loveless marriage with the wealthy but spiteful Zeena (Joan Allen). Things become nearly unendurable when Zeena becomes an invalid, imperiously demanding her husband's attentions day and night. Ethan seeks solace in an affair with Zeena's pretty cousin Mattie Silver (Patricia Arquette), who has arrived to act as housekeeper. Produced on behalf of PBS' American Playhouse, Ethan Frome was released theatrically in late 1992. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Liam Neeson, Patricia Arquette, (more)
Everest is the highest-grossing IMAX film ever released. This breathtaking and exhilarating program documents the deadly 1996 expedition which was the focus of Jon Krakauer's best-selling book Into Thin Air. The New York Times calls Everest "an amazing feat of filmmaking." Liam Neeson narrates and the music of George Harrison is featured. ~ Laura Mahnken, All Movie Guide
- 2001
A typically ambitious miniseries from Boston's PBS affiliate WGBH-TV, the seven-part, eight-hour Evolution was advertised as "A Journey Into Where We're From and Where We're Going." Although the Darwinian theory of evolution was given plenty of screen time, the series investigated all aspects of the evolutionary process, as related to survival, sex, and religion. One of the series' distinctions was its ability to find a common ground for scientists and fundamentalists alike: as one of the participants of the series noted, "We're just studying what God has made, however he made it." In addition to standard documentary footage, the project made extensive use of animation, dramatizations, and expert interviews. Individual episode titles included "Darwin's Dangerous Idea" (the two-hour opener), "Great Transformations," "Extinction!," "The Evolutionary Arms Race," "Why Sex?," "The Mind's Big Bang," and "What About God?" Co-produced by Blue Sky Productions and narrated by actor Liam Neeson, Evolution made its first PBS appearance on September 24, 2001. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Liam Neeson
- 2001
- Add Evolution, Part 1: Darwin's Dangerous Idea to QueueAdd Evolution, Part 1: Darwin's Dangerous Idea to top of Queue
This is the first episode in a seven-part PBS series that provides viewers with an overview of the theory of evolution: how the theory was conceived, how it has broadly influenced science, how it is commonly misunderstood, and how the theory affects everyday life. Written and directed by David Espar and Susan K. Lewis, this segment of the documentary introduces the key tenets of the theory, discusses current evolutionary scientific research, and includes biographical docudrama sequences produced by Linda Garmon and written by Allan Cubitt. Highlights include animation sequences illustrating evolution and interviews with various experts, including Kenneth Miller, who is both a Darwinian scientist and a Catholic. He authored the book Finding Darwin's God. Narrated by acclaimed actor Liam Neeson, this program stars Christopher Larkin as Charles Darwin. Also utilized throughout this episode is archival footage from a variety of sources, including Atmosphere Pictures, BBC Worldwide Americas, Inc., National Geographic Film Library, and Royal Geographic Society London. Included among the distinguished advisors for the series are Jane Goodall, Stephen Jay Gould, and William H. Calvin, of Washington University. The series was originally televised September 24-27, 2001. ~ Steve Blackburn, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Liam Neeson
- 2001
This is the second episode in a seven-part PBS series that provides viewers with an overview of the theory of evolution: how the theory was conceived, how it has broadly influenced science, how it is commonly misunderstood, and how the theory affects everyday life. Written by Joel Olicker and Chris Schmidt, and directed by Olicker, this installment of the documentary discusses the development of the biological template of the four-limbed animal, the migration of life forms from ocean to land, the return of some species to the ocean (such as dolphins), and the development of homo sapiens. Highlights include a side-by-side comparison of the bones of a human hand to the fossilized bones of the fin of a sea creature that died millions of years ago -- the structure is startlingly similar. Also included are animation sequences illustrating evolution, and interviews with various scientists. Narrated by acclaimed actor Liam Neeson, this program utilizes archival footage from a variety of sources, including the American Museum of Natural History Library, BBC Worldwide Americas, Inc., California Institute of Technology, and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Included among the distinguished advisors for the series are Jane Goodall, Sharon Emerson of the University of Utah, author Stephen Jay Gould, and William H. Calvin, of Washington University. The series was originally televised September 24-27, 2001. ~ Steve Blackburn, All Movie Guide
- 2001
This is the third episode in a seven-part PBS series that provides viewers with an overview of the theory of evolution: how the theory was conceived, how it has broadly influenced science, how it is commonly misunderstood, and how the theory effects everyday life. Written and directed by Kate Churchill and Richard Hutton, this installment of the documentary discusses the function of extinction in the process of evolution. The theory is that extinction makes room for new species. Also covered are the theories regarding the five mass extinctions the world has experienced, and theories as to whether or not humans may cause a sixth. Narrated by acclaimed actor Liam Neeson, highlights include animation sequences illustrating evolution, interviews with various scientists, and archival footage from a variety of sources, including American Museum of Natural History, BBC Worldwide Americas, Inc., Energy Film Library, Moana Productions, the National Archives, and the National Geographic Film Library. Included among the distinguished advisors for the series are Jane Goodall, Sharon Emerson of the University of Utah, author Stephen Jay Gould, and scientist William H. Calvin of Washington University. The series was originally televised September 24-27, 2001. ~ Steve Blackburn, All Movie Guide
- 2001
This is the fourth episode in a seven-part PBS series that provides viewers with an overview of the theory of evolution: how the theory was conceived, how it has broadly influenced science, how it is commonly misunderstood, and how the theory effects everyday life. Written and directed by Gail Willumsen, this installment of the documentary reveals the scientific meaning of that often misused and misunderstood phrase "survival of the fittest." In relation to natural selection, Willumsen examines how overuse of certain medicines on viruses and bacteria are possibly creating super-viruses and super-bacteria that may one day threaten humanity with extinction. Narrated by acclaimed actor Liam Neeson, highlights include animation sequences illustrating evolution, interviews with various scientists, and archival footage from a variety of sources, including the American Red Cross, Archive Films, BioMedia Associates, Getty Images, the WPA Film Library, and United Wildlife. Included among the distinguished advisors for the series are Jane Goodall, author Stephen Jay Gould, and scientist William H. Calvin of Washington University. The series was originally televised September 24-27, 2001. ~ Steve Blackburn, All Movie Guide
