The Secret of Roan Inish (1994)

Young Fiona lives with her grandparents in a small fishing village where she takes an active role to unravel the mysterious secrets.

Director:

John Sayles

Writers:

Rosalie K. Fry (book), John Sayles (screenplay)

Stars:

Jeni Courtney, Eileen Colgan, Mick Lally

1 win & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jeni Courtney	...	Fiona
Pat Slowey	...	Priest
Dave Duffy	...	Jim
Declan Hannigan	...	Oldest brother
Mairéad Ní Ghallchóir	...	Barmaid
Eugene McHugh	...	Bar Patron 1
Tony Rubini	...	Bar Patron 2
Mick Lally	...	Hugh
Eileen Colgan	...	Tess
Richard Sheridan	...	Eamon
Micheal MacCarthaigh	...	Schoolmaster
Fergal McElherron	...	Sean Michael
Brendan Conroy	...	Flynn
John Lynch	...	Tadhg
Frankie McCafferty	...	Tim

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.

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Plot Keywords:

ireland | based on book | selkie | seal the animal | family relationships | 

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Taglines:

The secret's out!

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Genres:

Drama | Family | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some moments that may be disquieting to small children

Details

Country:

USA Ireland

Language:

English Irish

Release Date:

3 February 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Le secret de Roan Inish

Filming Locations:

Ireland

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$6,101,600

Company Credits

Production Co:

Jones Entertainment Group,Skerry Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby (Stereo)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

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.

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Quotes

Tess: Stuperstitious old man!
[goes to the fireplace to put out the peat-fire]
Tess: I rake this fire as the pure Christ rakes us all... with Mary at the foot and Brigid at the head. And may the eight brightest angels from the City of Grace preserve this house and all its people till the coming of the day.
[Crosses herself]

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Connections

Referenced in Siskel & Ebert: Eraser/Wallace and Gromit: The Best of Aardman Animation/The Hunchback of Notre Dame/Lone Star/Nelly and Monsieur Arnaud (1996)

User Reviews

Heartwarming and rich in Irish culture, but not in a sappy way

One of the things I love about the Irish culture is it's rich legends and storytelling. This story follows Fiona (Jeni Courtney) who has returned from the city with her father to live with her grandparents. They had previously lived on the island of Roan Inish, but are now living on the mainland. The director, John Sayles, bring us a version of the legend of the selkie, a creature that is half seal-half human. I found this movie to be very heartwarming and rich in Irish culture, but not in a sappy way. Jeni Courtney turns in an excellent and completely believable performance as Fiona who learns about the legend of the selkie and uses it to find her little brother Jimmy who had disappeared at sea at an infant. The Irish landscape and sea are gorgeously filmed and it's as if you are there in Ireland learning about the legends yourself through the eyes of Fiona. '

***1/2 (out of 4)