Most excellent film!

Rating: 10/10 (21 January 2008)

This film is truly one of my all-time favorites, regardless of how accurate or true to history it is. This film is plain and simply perfect, as well as thoroughly entertaining cinema. It is deserving of each of the 5 Oscar's it won though I believe Mel Gibson should have won for best actor as well, especially since there was no other performance of that year that came even close to his, yet strangely he wasn't even nominated. Of notable mention is the lighthearted yet dedicated performance given by David O'Hara as "Stephen, the Irish fighter". His performance added just the right touch of levity without detracting from the storyline or ambiance. Brendan Gleeson's performance was perfect as well, in fact each role was filled to perfection. Although this film clocks in at nearly three hours, at its finale you find yourself wanting even more, much the same as elicited by such other great films as, "The Hustler", "Dances with Wolves", "The Great Escape" and so forth. Another way to sum it up would be to coin the old adage: "time flies when you're having fun". Simply Excellent!