The Secret of Kells

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

39K

YOUR RATING

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 foreign lands 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?

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Adventure Animation Family Fantasy

A young boy in a remote medieval outpost under siege from barbarian raids is beckoned to adventure when a celebrated master illuminator arrives with an ancient book, brimming with secret wis... Read allA young boy in a remote medieval outpost under siege from barbarian raids is beckoned to adventure when a celebrated master illuminator arrives with an ancient book, brimming with secret wisdom and powers.A young boy in a remote medieval outpost under siege from barbarian raids is beckoned to adventure when a celebrated master illuminator arrives with an ancient book, brimming with secret wisdom and powers.

Directors
- Tomm Moore
- Nora Twomey
Writers
- Tomm Moore
- Fabrice Ziolkowski
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

39K

YOUR RATING

Directors
- Tomm Moore
- Nora Twomey
Writers
- Tomm Moore
- Fabrice Ziolkowski
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 7 wins & 7 nominations total

Brendan
(voice)
(as Evan Mc Guire)

Brendan Gleeson

Abbot Cellach
(voice)

Mick Lally

Aidan
(voice)

Christen Mooney

Aisling
(voice)

Liam Hourican

Brother Tang
(voice)
(as Liam Hourrican)
…

Paul Tylak

Brother Assoua
(voice)
(as Paul Tylac)

Michael McGrath

Adult Brendan
(voice)

Paul Young

Brother Square
(voice)

Nora Twomey

Additional Voices and Walla
(voice)

Alli McCann

Additional Voices and Walla
(voice)

Clair Funchion

Additional Voices and Walla
(voice)

Conor O'Halloran

Additional Voices and Walla
(voice)
(as Conor O Halloran)

Gaelle Hersent

Additional Voices and Walla
(voice)

Marie Thorhauge

Additional Voices and Walla
(voice)

Sean Lennon

Additional Voices and Walla
(voice)

Jonas Till Hoffmann

Additional Voices and Walla
(voice)
(as Jonas Hoffmann)

James O'Halloran

Additional Voices and Walla
(voice)
(as James O Halloran)

Fabian Erlinghauser

Additional Voices and Walla
(voice)
(as Fabian Erlinghäuser)

Directors
- Tomm Moore
- Nora Twomey
Writers
- Tomm Moore
- Fabrice Ziolkowski
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Aisling, the fairy girl, is named after a 17th-century genre of Irish poetry. Aisling is Irish for "dream vision." In an Aisling poem, the poet would describe receiving a vision of the spirit of Ireland, who appeared to him in the form of a beautiful young woman. The female spirit of Ireland would inspire the poet to write about his homeland, and serve as his guide in creating the poem (much as Aisling serves as Brendan's guide in the film).

Quotes
[first lines]
Aisling: I have lived through many ages, through the eyes of salmon, deer, and wolf. I have seen the Northmen invading Ireland, destroying all in search of gold. I've seen suffering in the darkness. Yet I have seen beauty thrive in the most fragile of places. I have seen the book. The book that turned darkness into light.

Crazy credits
During the closing credits, Aidan is heard reciting part of the Irish poem "Pangur Ban."

Connections
Featured in Siskel & Ebert: The Ghost Writer/Shutter Island (2010)

Soundtracks
Aisling Song
Written by Tomm Moore and Bruno Coulais
© Les Armateurs and Passerelle
(P) Les Armateurs and Vivi Film
Performed by Christen Mooney (uncredited)

User reviews114

Review

Featured review

8/10

Different And Yet Great

When I first watched the movie, the way everything was drawn kind of made me lower my expectations; that still didn't make me stop watching. I soon began to see that the two dimensional drawings came to life more and more as I watched. Watching the movie was magical.

The story was also great. The characters and their looks and accents made me interested in what was going on - I especially loved Aisling. Brendan is the main character, a young boy who is adventurous like any other his age however has to face some of his fears to help finish a book.

The whole movie was a magical, colorful, pictorial, unforgettable ride.