The General is a film about the life of notorious Irish criminal Martin Cahill. His potent mix of violence, humour and generosity made him a legend in his lifetime, a legend that has grown largely since his death in 1994.

The film tells the story of Cahill's life of crime, exposing his deep-seated resentment of authority, his colourful, clever and relentless courtship of the Irish police force, and his relationship with his wife Frances and her sister Tina, both of whom he fathered children with.