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The Secret of Kells (2009) 7.5
Ratings:
7.5/10 from 11,491 users
Metascore: 81/100
Reviews: 49 user | 104 critic | 20 from Metacritic.com The animated story of the boy behind the famed Book of Kells. |
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Edit
Cast
| Cast overview: | |||
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Evan McGuire | ... |
Brendan
(voice)
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Christen Mooney | ... |
Aisling
(voice)
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| Brendan Gleeson | ... |
Abbot Cellach
(voice)
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Mick Lally | ... |
Aidan
(voice)
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Liam Hourican | ... |
Brother Tang /
Leonardo
(voice) (as Liam Hourrican)
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Paul Tylak | ... |
Brother Assoua
(voice) (as Paul Tylac)
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Michael McGrath | ... |
Adult Brendan
(voice)
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| Paul Young | ... |
Brother Square
(voice)
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Nora Twomey | ... |
Additional Voices
(voice)
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Marie Thorhauge | ... |
Additional Voices
(voice)
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Jonas Till Hoffmann | ... |
Additional Voices
(voice) (as Jonas Hoffmann)
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Fabian Erlinghauser | ... |
Additional Voices
(voice) (as Fabian Erlinghäuser)
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Kairen Waloch | ... |
Additional Voices
(voice)
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Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Storyline
Young Brendan lives in a remote medieval outpost under siege from barbarian raids. But a new life of adventure beckons when a celebrated master illuminator arrives from the isle of Iona carrying an ancient but unfinished book, brimming with secret wisdom and powers. To help complete the magical book, Brendan has to overcome his deepest fears on a dangerous quest that takes him into the enchanted forest where mythical creatures hide. It is here that he meets the fairy Aisling, a mysterious young wolf-girl, who helps him along the way. But with the barbarians closing in, will Brendan's determination and artistic vision illuminate the darkness and show that enlightenment is the best fortification against evil? Written by GKids
Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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Details
Language:
EnglishRelease Date:
11 February 2009 (France) See more »Also Known As:
Brendan and the Secret of Kells See more »Filming Locations:
Kilkenny, County Kilkenny, IrelandBox Office
Budget:
€6,500,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
$12,537 (USA) (5 March 2010)Gross:
$686,383 (USA) (16 July 2010)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
Edit
[Brendan screams and falls off rock]
Aisling: *Well?*
Brendan: I've heard about... creatures like you. You're a fairy!
[Aisling gives Pangur Ban a dubious look]
Aisling: What are you doing in my forest? You've come to spoil it, haven't you?
Brendan: Uh...
Aisling: [accusingly] You were probably sent here by your family to get food, weren't you? Well. You can go right back where you came from. If you don't, I'll make the wolves get you. *Rawr!*
Brendan: No! uh, I didn't mean to. Look, I'm sorry alright? I'm not here...
[...]
See more »
Written by Rossa Ó'Snodaigh
Performed by Kila (as Kíla)
© and (P) Kíla Music Records (2000)
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Development on the film began in 1999 when director Tomm Moore and some of his friends first saw Richard Williams's The Princess and the Cobbler and Disney's Mulan. The stylings of those two films - Persia for The Princess and the Cobbler and China for Mulan - inspired Moore to make a similarly styled film based on Irish art. See more »Quotes
Aisling: [interrupting him] Is this your cat?[Brendan screams and falls off rock]
Aisling: *Well?*
Brendan: I've heard about... creatures like you. You're a fairy!
[Aisling gives Pangur Ban a dubious look]
Aisling: What are you doing in my forest? You've come to spoil it, haven't you?
Brendan: Uh...
Aisling: [accusingly] You were probably sent here by your family to get food, weren't you? Well. You can go right back where you came from. If you don't, I'll make the wolves get you. *Rawr!*
Brendan: No! uh, I didn't mean to. Look, I'm sorry alright? I'm not here...
[...]
See more »
Crazy Credits
Halfway through the credits, a poem is recited by Aidan (Mick Lally) in Irish. It is a condensed verse of the Old Irish poem 'Mise agus Pangur Bán' rewritten in modern Irish. The translated version of this verse is: Me and white Pangur, Two who relish bundles of art, Me pursuing that which does not come easy, Slippery Pangur hunts prey, Fame or repute I seek not, As I turn ink into glowing light, Little does Pangur value the words of a prophet, He would much prefer a mouse to a book. The verse is followed by Aidan calling to Pangur "Panger, do you see that in the corner!?" followed by him laughing to himself. See more »Soundtracks
"Epicy"Written by Rossa Ó'Snodaigh
Performed by Kila (as Kíla)
© and (P) Kíla Music Records (2000)
See more »
I would not have known about this film if not for its "surprise" Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature film. Thankfully, it came to pass that I was able to watch this animated little treasure.
The story is about the child Brendan who was the nephew of the imposing and overprotective Abbot of the township of Kells. The main pre-occupation of the Abbot is to build a wall to protect Kells from the attacking Vikings. One day, Aiden, the renowned illustrator from Iona, sought refuge with them. Aiden opens Brendan's eyes to the art of illustration and the lure of the outside world. Along the way, Brendan befriended the white forest sprite Aisling, as he sought to recover an ancient crystal invaluable to the meticulous art of book illustration.
"The Secret of Kells" is unlike most of the animation released these days. It is a throwback of sorts as the illustrations are done in stark geometric lines and design without much care for realism, as much as symbolism. The movements of these lines are reminiscent of the simplistic yet fluid animation style used at the beginning sequence of "Kung Fu Panda." However, it is the magnificent use of color that is the main source of wonderment for the audience. The reds used in the Viking invasion sequence is unforgettably haunting.
Try to catch this quiet gem of a film. It is a welcome respite from all the senseless bombast of current animated fare such as "Monsters vs. Aliens" and the like. The sparse Celtic musical score is effective in evoking the sense of fantasy that imbues the film. OK, the story might be a little shallow and the ending a bit wanting. I would have liked to know more about the Book that Brendan and Aiden was working on. But the clear star of this film is clearly its amazing stylized artwork, said to be based on the artwork in the real Book of Kells.