Waking Ned Devine (1998)

When a lottery winner dies of shock, his fellow townsfolk attempt to claim the money.

Director:

Kirk Jones

Writer:

Kirk Jones

Stars:

Ian Bannen, David Kelly, Fionnula Flanagan

9 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ian Bannen	...	Jackie O'Shea
David Kelly	...	Michael O'Sullivan
Fionnula Flanagan	...	Annie O'Shea
Susan Lynch	...	Maggie O'Toole
James Nesbitt	...	Pig Finn
Paul Vaughan	...	Narrator (voice)
Adrian Robinson	...	Lotto Observer
Maura O'Malley	...	Mrs. Kennedy
Robert Hickey	...	Maurice O'Toole
Paddy Ward	...	Brendy O'Toole
James Ryland	...	Dennis Fitzgerald
Fintan McKeown	...	Pat Mulligan
Eileen Dromey	...	Lizzy Quinn
Kitty Fitzgerald	...	Kitty
Dermot Kerrigan	...	Father Patrick

Storyline

The lucky winner of the national lottery is Ned Devine, so taken by his good fortune that he now can't be waked, because he died from the shock of it! News of the win spread quickly in the scenic little Irish village of Tully More, but not the secret news of Ned's demise. With lottery officials closing in to confirm the prize claimed by the deceased Devine, Ned's closest friends scheme to keep the prize money close to home, in memory of Ned of course! But as the plot twists humorously, they learn it is hard is to keep such a secret in a small town.

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Plot Keywords:

lottery | village | small town | lottery ticket | dead body | 

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Taglines:

Finally, a comedy that will make you feel like a million bucks.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for nudity, language and thematic elements

Details

Country:

UK Ireland France USA

Language:

English Latin Irish

Release Date:

8 January 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Waking Ned Devine

Filming Locations:

Cregneash, Isle of Man

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$148,971, 22 November 1998, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$24,788,807, 20 June 1999

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$43,515,982, 8 December 2006

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tomboy Films, Gruber Bros, Mainstream S.A.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

All the cast and crew worked on reduced rates to help the film get made.

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Goofs

When Jackie and Michael are walking to Ned Devine's house and it is raining, Michael is carrying a black umbrella when the two are on the road. However, when they reach Ned's house, Michael has a different umbrella, which is tan with a brown stripe.

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Quotes

Michael O'Sullivan: There's the man.
Pig Finn: Hey boys. Hey boys.
Jackie O'Shea: How are ya? The old sparkle in your eye, ey?
Pig Finn: You're a devil Jackie. Geez Jackie, you must have a terrible thirst on ya tonight. I've never seen a man drink two pints at the same time.
Jackie O'Shea: This is yours Finn. I bought you a pint so.
Pig Finn: You're joking me? Well, you've never bought me a pint.
Jackie O'Shea: Well, I've always bought you home many a night.
Michael O'Sullivan: And I bought you a packet of your favorite Mexican crisps.

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Crazy Credits

Despite being the title character, Ned Devine is misspelled in the credits as "Ned Divine".

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Connections

Referenced in Trapped in a Purple Haze (2000)

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Soundtracks

The Parting Glass
(1998)
Composed and arranged by Shaun Davey
Performed by Liam O'Maonlai
By courtesy of London Records

User Reviews

This is a must see!

My wife purchased this movie for me, but I let it sit on my DVD library shelf for over a year before I watched it. I felt very sad that I took so long to watch it because it is now on my favorite movie list. I own over 500 DVD's and this is one that is my all time top 25. The acting was well presented to the viewer and very realistic. I agree that this is a sleeper movie that you just do not hear off, but after you watch it you will highly recommend it to others. I believe that we have all felt the emotions that were displayed in "Waking Ned Divine". The director has set it up for the movie watcher to meld into the lead character, who hasn't always wanted to win the LOTTO and share it with our friends. I just love how his wife turns out to be his moral subconscious, she brings a smile to my face because it is so truthful. Others have already said it, but this is a feel good movie that brings our everyday dull and grinding lives back into the sunshine.