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The Secret of Roan Inish (1994) 7.3
10-year-old Fiona is sent to live with her grandparents in a small fishing village in Donegal, Ireland. She soon learns the local legend that an ancestor of hers married a Selkie - a seal ... See full summary » Director:John Sayles |
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
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Jeni Courtney | ... |
Fiona
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Pat Slowey | ... |
Priest
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Dave Duffy | ... |
Jim
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Declan Hannigan | ... |
Oldest brother
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Mairéad Ní Ghallchóir | ... |
Barmaid
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Eugene McHugh | ... |
Bar Patron 1
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Tony Rubini | ... |
Bar Patron 2
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Mick Lally | ... |
Hugh
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Eileen Colgan | ... |
Tess
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Richard Sheridan | ... |
Eamon
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Micheal MacCarthaigh | ... |
Schoolmaster
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Fergal McElherron | ... |
Sean Michael
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Brendan Conroy | ... |
Flynn
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| John Lynch | ... |
Tadhg
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Frankie McCafferty | ... |
Tim
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
10-year-old Fiona is sent to live with her grandparents in a small fishing village in Donegal, Ireland. She soon learns the local legend that an ancestor of hers married a Selkie - a seal who can turn into a human. Years earlier, her baby brother washed out to sea in a cradle shaped like a boat; someone in the family believes the boy is being raised by the seals. Then Fiona catches sight of a naked little boy on the abandoned Isle of Roan Inish and takes an active role in uncovering The Secret of Roan Inish. Written by John Oswalt.
Taglines:
The secret's out! See more »Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated PG for some moments that may be disquieting to small children | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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Details
Release Date:
3 February 1995 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Le secret de Roan Inish See more »Filming Locations:
County Donegal, IrelandBox Office
Budget:
$3,000,000 (estimated)Gross:
$6,101,600 (USA)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Dolby (Stereo)Color:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?
Goofs
Near the end of the film, when the seals push the cradle-boat back into the sea, you can clearly see a hand at the top left corner of the frame grab the cradle and pull it. See more »Quotes
Tadhg: Once a Selkie finds its skin again, neither chains of steel nor chains of love can keep her from the sea. From that day on, it was forbidden to harm a seal on the island.See more »
The Secret of Roan Inish is a departure for John Sayles, in that his normal cynicism and mildly jaundiced eye is replaced by the completely credulous child's view, and his film is all the more charming because of it. In essence, this is a children's movie, and only through Sayles' brilliance are we adults allowed in.
Roan Inish is a deserted island off the coast of Donegal, where Fiona's mother died and her baby brother was lost at sea. Her father has moved to the city but Fiona is sent back to live with her grandparents for her health. Her grandparents live on the coast opposite Roan Inish, having moved off the island at the same time. In fact, the Conneelys have a very special bond with Roan Inish, as Fiona starts to discover as she talks with the local townfolk, especially to a dark and brooding relative named Tadhg. Tadhg tells her about the selkie -- a shapeshifter of Irish lore who is half-seal and half-human -- and why Roan Inish is so important to the family. From that, Fiona must unravel the mystery of what happened to her baby brother.
I don't want to spoil any of the story, so rather than recount any more of the plot, I'll just tell you that all the performances are wonderful. Mick Lally as the grandfather especially shines, as does Eileen Colgan as the grandmother. Jeni Courtney is terrific as young Fiona and Richard Sheridan as Eamonn, her young cousin, is very good too. In fact, I couldn't pick out any bad performances at all.
The Secret of Roan Inish features some beautiful Irish music, both instrumental and Irish-language, and of course features lush cinematography of the Donegal area and coast. Beautifully shot, wonderfully written and performed, and masterfully directed, The Secret of Roan Inish will delight everyone in the family. Don't hesitate to buy or rent this one.