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:

based on book | f rated | boy nudity | fishing village | coastal town | 

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Taglines:

Between land and sea there is a place where myths are real.

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although in the original novel the story takes place in Scotland, the filmmakers decided to have the film take place in Ireland for practical reasons.

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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

Fiona: Why does he run from me?
Tadhg: Why do you chase him?
Tadhg: He's my little brother! He's lost out there!
Tadhg: He's not lost... he's just with another branch of the family.

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Horror of Party Beach (1997)

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Soundtracks

Mist Covered Mountain/Shores of Lough Gowna
Trad/Arranged by Mason Daring
Lyrics by Máire Breatnach
Performed by Máire Breatnach

User Reviews

charming and magical

I saw this listed in TV guide, and watched it because the description made me imagine it would be a simple, charming movie. I didn't realize it was a John Sayles movie until I saw his name on the credits and then I thought it might be something different; I don't associate Sayles with simple family movies. But in fact, this is pretty much the movie I was hoping for, full of Irish charm and blarney, beautiful filmed and full of magic and wonder. One hesitates to call it a children's movie or a family movie because those are generally awful, but it is very much the sort of movie that is perfect to take the family too (although it is unaccountably rated PG). But it's not *just* a kid's movie, it's a movie with magic for anyone, and I would put it in the same category as Alfonso Cuarón's A Little Princess, another movie that treats children not in the Disney aren't-they-cute way but as real thinking individuals. This is a lovely drama featuring a child rather than a kid's movie, but it works on either level.

Details

Country:

USA Ireland

Language:

English Irish

Release Date:

3 February 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Secret of Roan Inish

Filming Locations:

Ireland

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$82,601, 5 February 1995

Gross USA:

$6,159,269

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$6,159,269

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