Last Friday evening my wife and I went to the IFC Film Center in Manhattan to see the Irish animated feature film The Secret of Kells, not because we are big fans of animation but because we are devotees of Celtic Christianity and admirers of the Book of Kells, a 1,200 year old Illuminated Latin Manuscript containing the four Gospels and other texts. Having travelled to Ireland twice, we have been to Kells and also saw the Book of Kells exhibition at Trinity College in Dublin. We have also twice been to Iona, where the Book of Kells is thought to have originated. Thus, we went to see The Secret of Kells with high hopes and great expectations. We were not disappointed. This film is great. It is fantastic! The broad outline of the story was more or less as we remembered it and the animation, while low tech, was detailed, reflecting the art and spirit of the Book of Kells. We especially liked the animation near the end when parts of the Book of Kells came alive through the animation. The music was also authentically Irish.
Anyone with a drop of Irish blood, an interest in Celtic Christianity, an appreciation of the Book of Kells, or fan of classic animation should find this Irish animnated feature film entertaining, informative, inspirational and a visual treat. Click on the first hot link above for the movie’s web site and delight.
3 comments:
Thanks for pointing this out, John. Sounds really interesting. I was thrilled to see the Book of Kells in Dublin a few years ago.
I am afraid this little gem will not receive wide distribution . . . unless it wins an oscar. I hope it will be dustributed on DVD.
Glad you mentioned it's on Netflix! I've passed that bit of info along to a friend in Illinois who turns out to have been waiting eagerly for some way to see it.
She's a professor of medieval lit, her husband is a graphic artist, and their little boy has a fine Celtic name.
They are going to LOVE it.
Post a Comment