It’s 1974 Ireland, a nation in a guerilla war over continued British rule, with Liam Neeson ideally cast as an assassin who’s developed a conscience in “In the Land of Saints and Sinners.”
It was a time of vicious division, of bombings and executions and as “Land” begins, a dangerous place for women and children.
“With the Good Friday peace agreement we’ve had 25 years or so of relative peace,” Neeson, 71, reflected of starring in a film about the notorious Troubles.
“It’s interesting and kind of comforting to do a piece of entertainment which is what ‘In the Land of Saints and Sinners’ is, based on the Troubles that lasted for 30 years or so where there were over 3,000 people killed.”
Finbar is exceptional at his job. Considerate as well: He allows his victims to dig their own graves, then gives them a minute of contemplation before he shoots.
When he’s decided he’s finished, retired, he buys seeds for a flower garden. He reads, appropriately enough, Dostoyevsky’s “Crime and Punishment.” He’s a killer with feelings.
Was this Irish actor inspired by specific characters?
“No, he’s not based on anything I know. I’ve played various versions of Finbar over the past 15 years and it’s a comforting coat to wear where hopefully I can introduce a couple of other levels, rather than just an ex-hitman, killer. I like playing these sorts of characters.
“As it says on the poster, ‘Haunted by sin. Hunted by sinners.’”
The film’s a reunion with his “The Marksman” helmer Robert Lorenz. Is there an automatic comfort level he wouldn’t have with someone new?
“I love to work with Bob — he’s from the Clint Eastwood School of Moviemaking: He does two, maybe three takes maximum. You keep up a certain pace shooting on the set.
“I love that kind of quick pace. You develop a shorthand language with each other. Bob gets me and I get him and we don’t over intellectualize any scenes or any moments. Just continue to get off the job.”
Neeson just celebrated a cinematic anniversary with his Oscar-nominated performance in the Oscar-winning Best Picture of 1993, “Schindler’s List.”
“I love ‘Schindler’s List.’ I was so honored to be a part of it because I can’t believe it’s 30 years ago.
“But ‘Michael Collins’ is still my favorite, just for personal reasons,” he said of the 1996 biopic of the 1920s IRA activist who lived and died for the cause of Irish independence.
“I have a great admiration for Collins for what he did. And also what he didn’t do.”
“In the Land of Saints and Sinners” opens March 29
