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:

How far would you go to win a fortune!

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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

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Originally developed as a 10-minute short.

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Goofs

When the lotto man comes to the village the fist time to verify the ticket, Jackie states that he has left the little bag with the ticket in it in the phone booth. However, earlier when Jackie and Michael are making the call to the lotto we see Jackie placing a red bag with the ticket in it on top of the phone, but when they leave the phone booth there is clearly no red bag left behind.

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Quotes

Jackie O'Shea: Michael O'Sullivan was my great friend. But I don't ever remember telling him that. The words that are spoken at a funeral are spoken too late for the man who is dead. What a wonderful thing it would be to visit your own funeral. To sit at the front and hear what was said, maybe say a few things yourself. Michael and I grew old together. But at times, when we laughed, we grew young. If he was here now, if he could hear what I say, I'd congratulate him on being a great man, and thank him for ...

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Crazy Credits

Dedicated to the fond memory of Ian Bannen (Jackie O'Shea), Alexandre Heylen (producer) and Peter 'Snowy' Butler (grip) - "we shall forever be in your debt".

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Memo to the Academy - 1999 (1999)

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Soundtracks

The Golden Goose
(1998)
Music by Maura O'Malley
Lyrics by Kirk Jones
Performed by Maura O'Malley

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.