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The Secret of Kells
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The Secret of Kells

2009
Family/Kids
Fantasy
1h 15m
The story is set in the 9th century. Twelve year old Brendan is educated by his uncle, Abbot Cellach, who holds a firm grip on his nephew and expects him to follow in his footsteps. One day, Brendan meets Brother Aidan, a master illustrator who shows him the beauty of art and stimulates his creativity and fantasy. Finally, Brendan decides to break free in search of his dream: completing the valuable Book of Kells. On his journey through the forest, he has to face his biggest fears. (wikipedia.org)
Directed by:
Tomm Moore Tomm Moore Nora Twomey Nora Twomey
+1 more
Written by:
Tomm Moore Tomm Moore Fabrice Ziolkowski
+1 more
Starring:
Brendan Gleeson Brendan Gleeson Paul Tylak Sean Lennon Liam Hourican Michael McGrath Evan McGuire Christen Mooney Nora Twomey Nora Twomey Paul Young Mick Lally
More
Genres:
Family/Kids, Fantasy, Adventure, Animation
AKA:
Brendan and the Secret of Kells
Countries:
Belgium, France, Ireland, Netherlands
Languages:
English, Irish Gaelic
imdb More information at IMDb
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The Secret of Kells

2009
Family/Kids
Fantasy
1h 15m
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Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 61.51% from 947 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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fredericg54frederic_g54
Rated 17 Jul 2010
7
57th
I was drawn in but not necessarily enticed by the undemanding story, as it was never transcendent enough to be undeniably unique. The same thing can not be said about its aesthetics, boasting the most wonderful compositions/use of colour I've seen in a very long time. The beauty of this film is worth your time alone.
Rated 17 Jul 2010
beedubBeeDub
Rated 27 Jun 2016
85
63rd
Fantastic animation, endearing characters, but a somewhat awkward screenplay that leaves too many questions unanswered and ends very abrup
Rated 27 Jun 2016
astrakhanastrakhan
Rated 13 Jul 2010
92
98th
Just for kids? I'm an adult and I weep in praise and kiss the feet of the creators when an animation this beautiful and artistic graces my humble eyeballs. I find such visual pleasure in Kells that it feels like a once-in-a-generation film to me. Studio Ghibli has met its match! Plus it has all the required elements of a cracking coming-of-age adventure story and is entwined with centuries-old Celtic history and culture that is easy to forget in this modern world. Great score by Coulais also.
Rated 13 Jul 2010
filmfreak88filmfreak88
Rated 18 Apr 2010
60
40th
The film has its moments thanks largely to its often unique and mesmerizing visual imagery. But the plot is too flimsy and the conclusion too abrupt to make much of an impact. A wasted opportunity to turn this fabled story into a great animated film.
Rated 18 Apr 2010
paxtonPaxton
Rated 17 Feb 2021
77
83rd
I appreciate the fact that the animation is gorgeous and that such meticulous work was done to create the visuals but if you expect me to sit through a distinctly Irish movie with no leprechauns, I don't know what to tell you.
Rated 17 Feb 2021
dorkovskyDorkovsky
Rated 10 Apr 2010
5
56th
There is not much here in terms of plot or characters but the animation is great.
Rated 10 Apr 2010
muutanetmuutanet
Rated 13 Feb 2010
82
86th
The plot's got problems to start and story was a bit thin though I liked the forest part a lot. And I was not that satisfied with voice acting either (except the girl who was perfect in all). But visuals were stunning. The stylist 2D output kept on impressing me. Some ingenious invetions on a way. Deffinately worth to check.
Rated 13 Feb 2010
kavuKavu
Rated 07 Mar 2010
74
54th
The story is quite weak and this wouldn't really be interesting at all without the amazing 2D animation.
Rated 07 Mar 2010
nathandarkoNathanDarko
Rated 06 Oct 2010
92
87th
"The secret of Kells" is simply stunning thanks to the awesome visuals and beautiful likeable characters like the abbeys and Aisling the fairy. This movie shines in thousand different colors and conjures pure magic on the screen. But even if Kells looks like a movie for children, it's not the case. The Northman are really brutal and the whole story is very dark.
Rated 06 Oct 2010
slrsoapboxSlrSoapbox
Rated 11 Jan 2012
75
59th
Incredibly beautiful visual style, and some interesting themes of expressing art, recording knowledge, paranoia, guilt, and greed. I really wished there was more of Aisling in the story, as there were FAR too many male characters, even for a story that takes place in a monastery. And I have to agree that the story is weak.
Rated 11 Jan 2012
stevekimesstevekimes
Rated 13 Aug 2012
88
82nd
Simplistic story. But the images and music draw you in.
Rated 13 Aug 2012
suture_selfSuture Self
Rated 25 Jan 2012
7
67th
Open inquiry: What's with the blackface?
Rated 25 Jan 2012
dawdlingpoetDawdlingPoet
Rated 12 Dec 2019
90
93rd
I really liked this film for two main reasons - 1) the folk music, with a celtic, mystical sound to it - I particularly like the violin and the harp and 2) the brilliant animation used, with some quite detailed celtic patterns/imagery present (which I admired the intricacy of) and otherwise lots of geometric patterns. I esp. liked the detail shown in the individual snow flakes falling from the sky, for one thing. Some of the animation looks like watercolour paint. Its an engrossing watch.
Rated 12 Dec 2019
ununniliumUnunnilium
Rated 04 Oct 2012
71
58th
The animation is wonderful, and I really like many of the ideas involved. It's a good movie, but not a great one, for a couple reasons, and one of those is problems with the structure of the plot. Simply, the big scene where the protagonist overcomes his great obstacle comes *before* the big scene where everything goes wrong and all the characters are at their lowest moment. It's an odd choice, and it messes up the characters' journey, leaving the end of the movie feeling rushed and incomplete.
Rated 04 Oct 2012
ducoDuco
Rated 21 Mar 2013
73
45th
I generally skip animated films, but since I'm a pretty big lover of anything celtic I had to check this one out. The visuals are really stunning, the sound score brilliant, while the plot is nothing spectacular. I, however, disagree that it should be complex! It's a cartoon, and while I agree it offers a lot to an adult viewer, it should be fun for kids as well. Of course, lacking a gripping plot makes it easily forgettable (with the exception of the visuals!).
Rated 21 Mar 2013
matguy3matGuy3
Rated 28 Dec 2012
5
38th
An unadulterated love affair for all things Celtic Irish. Outstanding visuals and music score. Its pretty and fun, but that's about it.
Rated 28 Dec 2012
simpliciosimplicio
Rated 07 Oct 2010
81
70th
A beautiful piece of animation, constantly shifting from rigid religious forms and detailed Celtic weaves to floating ethereal sway. It hits a tone both reverent and embellished, matching the illuminated manuscripts it celebrates, and manages to stick with the story, however nondescript, instead of selling out to easy entertainment and dumb humor. The transmutation of the cat was a standout scene: quiet, vital, otherworldly and surprisingly touching.
Rated 07 Oct 2010
nobletNoblet
Rated 17 Oct 2010
75
57th
Love the visuals. The art style is brilliant. Too bad the story is mediocre.
Rated 17 Oct 2010
stripyStripy
Rated 11 Dec 2011
85
76th
I am blind of all the gorgeousness. If there was no dialogue, it would still make sense; so it's really a very thick picture book
Rated 11 Dec 2011
malcymMalcym
Rated 28 Jul 2015
3
6th
The animation is charming, even beautiful and the setting/theme has potential. But my, is this boring.
Rated 28 Jul 2015
tathieltathiel
Rated 16 Dec 2010
80
67th
I did not like the power-puff-girl-style in terms of the characters but I really liked how they integrated the illumination style of the real Book of Kells.
Rated 16 Dec 2010
astrophizzAstrophizz
Rated 29 Mar 2011
85
74th
The animation in this is absolutely stunning at times. Worth watching for that alone.
Rated 29 Mar 2011
veeqdeeveeqdee
Rated 16 Sep 2012
60
46th
Freakishly beautiful, but even that isn't enough to compensate for its lack of anything interesting happening.
Rated 16 Sep 2012
panomadgreekpanomadgreek
Rated 09 Mar 2013
81
96th
Superb animation, excellent soundtrack, beautiful mystical mythological story. Very good indeed.
Rated 09 Mar 2013
ebelcEbelC
Rated 03 Mar 2010
50
28th
Beautiful artwork and music, but an empty and simplistic story. I've never really felt interested in what they were going to tell me later, just what they were going to show me.
Rated 03 Mar 2010
kasperlKasperL
Rated 25 Feb 2021
55
39th
Handsomely made, but definitely skippable.
Rated 25 Feb 2021
begoniabolbegoniabol
Rated 01 Dec 2020
75
70th
The book of Kells aka The Swag Bible.
Rated 01 Dec 2020
armondwhiteArmondWhite
Rated 14 Dec 2010
5
0th
Its saving grace is directors Tomm Moore and Nora Twomey's decision to follow the style of lluminated manuscripts.The movie glows.
Rated 14 Dec 2010
kevinjosephkevinjoseph
Rated 01 Feb 2011
69
70th
The plot is a little too simple to support its feature length, but the visuals are original and absolutely stunning.
Rated 01 Feb 2011
icarusIcarus
Rated 08 Nov 2010
82
69th
The visual presentation makes this film as great as it is. There's a depth to the 2D animation that never fails to engage the eye. Strong contrasts between the abbey and the forest help to vary the palette as well as underline the theme of removal from vs. engagement with the world. The story is the weak link, with no explicit reference to what is actually in the book. And some of the narrative turns are not well enough developed. Overall though, a very enjoyable film and a worthy Oscar nominee.
Rated 08 Nov 2010
markjpMArkjp
Rated 10 Jan 2011
70
52nd
This beautiful but fairly straight forward little story is given life by great visuals. The animation style complements the story's folkloric nature and creates and interesting aesthetic universe where even the snowflakes look Celtic.
Rated 10 Jan 2011
veseyVesey
Rated 24 Jul 2012
80
65th
The kind of film you'll remember having liked, but you won't be able to recall what actually happened between the amazing scenes.
Rated 24 Jul 2012
jazzalohaJazzaloha
Rated 03 Jan 2016
82
94th
Looking for a film without Disney princesses? How about a film that celebrates books and art? This is the film for you. I loved the film's willingness to show some hard realities--i.e., books and ideas won't necessarily protect people against a physically stronger enemy. Cool animation as well.
Rated 03 Jan 2016
corbadCorbad
Rated 24 Mar 2017
85
90th
A singularly beautiful little film, steeped in culture and colour. Simply lovely.
Rated 24 Mar 2017
maakalmaakal
Rated 10 Jun 2011
67
28th
Cool animation, but it didn't hold my interest at all
Rated 10 Jun 2011
maartenmaarten
Rated 09 Dec 2010
81
93rd
Visually one of the most stunning films I've seen so far...
Rated 09 Dec 2010
closefriendCloseFriend
Rated 16 Oct 2010
98
99th
The most amazing, gorgeous animated movie I've ever seen with a score to match. There wasn't more than five minutes would go by without me thinking at least once, "Holy shit, this is the most amazing animation I've ever seen!"
Rated 16 Oct 2010
cinematicespCinematicESP
Rated 05 Feb 2010
70
20th
I'm never a fan of when a movie centers its whole plot around a mystical object, especially when it doesn't delve into character or even the nature of the object itself. It distracts you from this with admittedly gorgeous animation.
Rated 05 Feb 2010
joojooJooJoo
Rated 25 Jan 2011
4
55th
Yummy animation, throwaway story & characters.
Rated 25 Jan 2011
susie_mauvesusie-mauve
Rated 15 Jul 2012
80
51st
Gorgeus animation! But, clearly, it kinda aims at making up for a "regular" story
Rated 15 Jul 2012
archagonarchagon
Rated 05 Jan 2011
19
95th
Some of the most incredible, stylized animation I've ever seen. Very interesting plot, presented in an appropriately disjoint and "mythological" manner.
Rated 05 Jan 2011
dwyerdwyer
Rated 04 Sep 2016
77
55th
The artwork in this myth-like tale is gorgeous, bringing to life the creative spirit of the Book of Kells, and the movie is worth seeing just for that. Told from a young boy's point of view, the story is decidedly targeted at children: simple and linear in plot, with just enough mystery and darkness to impart the highest-stakes feeling appropriate a book that turns darkness to light.
Rated 04 Sep 2016
normalchaosnormalchaos
Rated 04 May 2015
80
77th
Gorgeous animation and soundtrack, although the story was a bit wanting and the pacing was uneven.
Rated 04 May 2015
seethruskinSeethruskin
Rated 19 Mar 2017
3
24th
Animation is great but they clearly made huge improvements between this and their next feature.
Rated 19 Mar 2017
hysteriaHysteria
Rated 18 Nov 2013
65
44th
Although this film is visually pleasing, I was never fully hooked to its story. I truly wanted to like this, but I just found myself to be bored throughout most of it and I had to make an effort not to switch this off halfway through.
Rated 18 Nov 2013
sinclairSinclair
Rated 04 Jan 2011
80
48th
Beautiful movie, but shallow. Talks too much about how important books are without explaining why.
Rated 04 Jan 2011
mohanmohan
Rated 26 Dec 2010
92
60th
There will always be people who are seeking to destroy us and what we stand for in their search for something. The defense against them is not to physically fortify us or arming ourselves (TSA, Homeland security..) but to fortify our knowledge and protect it through good education. It also shows the importance of growing in touch with nature.. as it causes something inside you to bloom like no other. And.. an animation that leaves you in awe of the handicraft woven by human mind than all the 3D
Rated 26 Dec 2010
roriusagiRoriUsagi
Rated 29 Aug 2015
100
87th
I love the colors and the drawing style! It reminds me my childhood cartoons and I loved this feeling!
Rated 29 Aug 2015
htimanhtiman
Rated 10 Nov 2014
50
14th
This was slow, boring, and often irritating. The animation was ok, but it felt like they put more effort into making this look pretty than into making the story interesting.
Rated 10 Nov 2014
perrystroikaPerryStroika
Rated 07 Jun 2015
60
39th
Visually impressive, often breathtakingly gorgeous. Only the slightness of the story (what little is here is still overstretched for the running length) prevents me from rating it a higher score.
Rated 07 Jun 2015
ceekay19Ceekay19
Rated 17 Dec 2023
80
80th
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."
Rated 17 Dec 2023
gokcanzgokcanz
Rated 26 Oct 2012
52
23rd
* Characters : 4 * Script : 3 * Directing, Aura : 7 * Ease of Viewing : 6 * Naked Eye : 6
Rated 26 Oct 2012
brrrpbrrrp
Rated 19 Feb 2024
50
26th
Takes on a legitimately interesting topic for an animated movie but thematically and stylistically compromised too much in the direction of arthouse film festival crowd pleasers for me to enjoy either the story or the visual style.
Rated 19 Feb 2024
itsircitsirc
Rated 16 Jan 2011
68
71st
"Steeped in both magic and mythology, The Secret Of Kells offers a refreshing alternative to Hollywood fare." - Allan Hunter, Daily Express
Rated 16 Jan 2011
talonmalontalonmalon
Rated 31 Dec 2012
67
35th
The story of this film is rather forgettable. However, the animation is simply out of this world, and that's enough to make it worth a viewing.
Rated 31 Dec 2012
melvin_smifMelvin Smif
Rated 04 Jan 2011
65
72nd
Absolute beautiful imagery doesn't fully complement a somewhat haphazard plot that collapses abruptly in its finale.
Rated 04 Jan 2011
vengefulkbmVengefulKBM
Rated 05 Jan 2016
85
85th
Despite some weird racial caricatures towards the beginning and the protagonist being kind of boring, this is an enchanting, old-fashioned, lovable fairy tale. It's got a contagious enthusiasm and a beautiful score, and it was impossible for me not to get sucked in.
Rated 05 Jan 2016
toamsttoamst
Rated 09 Feb 2024
80
53rd
Great movie and what not, except for the racial stereotypes.
Rated 09 Feb 2024
glm01glm01
Rated 23 Mar 2014
84
79th
83.500
Rated 23 Mar 2014
babamotsbabamots
Rated 10 Apr 2011
44
22nd
Strange to see flat, stylized people spinning around. The idea of using this style to match the topic is beautiful, but the lack of original characters or plot structure is painful.
Rated 10 Apr 2011
lady_moeLady Moe
Rated 28 Apr 2012
70
29th
Beautiful animation. Absolutely beautiful. I just wish it had a stronger story to go along with it.
Rated 28 Apr 2012
arossaross
Rated 21 Nov 2016
68
32nd
Beautiful animation but I didn't really care for the story.
Rated 21 Nov 2016
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 16 Feb 2011
63
22nd
A lovely art style that combines the sharp geometry of Sita Sings the Blues with the semi-cubist look of Thief and the Cobbler. It pops off the screen with unique designs and gorgeous colors. But the story is a little on the dull side, and even with such a simple plot it feels longer than its 70 minutes. The character of Brendan really isn't that well-developed and scenes that should have been exciting or scary or emotional seemed to just lay there. Beautiful to behold, but left me empty.
Rated 16 Feb 2011
kadikoykadikoy
Rated 28 Aug 2020
60
47th
Ormanda yaşayan 1 grup insan, Vikingler'den korunmak için kale inşaat ederler. Genç çocuk Brendan, ormanda 1 peri olan Aisling'le karşılaşır. Korunma içgüdüsü ile çekilen film, hayatın iyilikleri ve kötülükleriyle baş etmemiz gerektiği anlatılmış. Yalnız kitap ve göz meselesi fazla abartı olmuş. Kells kitabı da gerçekmiş. Filmin sonunda, kale yıkılıyor. Fakat Brendan kurtulup, kitabı tamamlıyor. Kaz gelen yerden tavuk esirgenmez. Ama kediye dikkat
Rated 28 Aug 2020
axleblazeaxleblaze
Rated 13 Mar 2012
77
39th
I feel mixed because on the one hand this movie is absolutely stunning to look at but on the other the plot is not so good (more in terms of writing rather than the story being told). It's the type of film where characters will outright state their relationship and the conflicts between them rather than actually trying to do it through film making. For a film this visual it often tells when it really should be showing.
Rated 13 Mar 2012
hermdawgHermdawg
Rated 25 Mar 2012
90
66th
Brilliant animation; a combination of anime style, with a strong Celtic influence. The characters and plot are steeped in metaphor, combining elements of medieval Christianity and pre-Christian Celtic myth. Beautifully done.
Rated 25 Mar 2012
rocketluccoRocketlucco
Rated 17 Apr 2011
45
27th
Overall Enjoyment: 15/40, Plot/Theme: 5/20, Cinematography/Direction: 15/20, Acting/Writing: 10/20. The movie is very pretty, but ultimately the story doesn't really go anywhere and the viewer is left wondering why they even watched in the first place.
Rated 17 Apr 2011
realmacgyverRealMacgyver
Rated 03 Feb 2010
50
15th
Kinda boring and overly stylised for my tastes
Rated 03 Feb 2010
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 20 Oct 2011
25
61st
"Majestic animation fails to conjure a sense of enchantment in The Secret of Kells, a beautiful two-dimensional work devoid of dramatic vigor." - Nick Schager
Rated 20 Oct 2011
doughbarondoughbaron
Rated 05 Apr 2012
72
53rd
I was enraptured by the stellar artwork and fluidity but ultimately felt like a drooling 3 year old looking at a pretty cartoon. Either I didn't get it or there just wasn't much there.
Rated 05 Apr 2012
glmglm
Rated 28 Dec 2010
84
77th
84.250
Rated 28 Dec 2010
dyannethorneDyanneThorne
Rated 05 Nov 2019
69
61st
The story is more cute and interesting than moving and exciting. You should definitely give this a watch for sake of the animation, though.
Rated 05 Nov 2019
the_pirateThe Pirate
Rated 20 Oct 2013
85
80th
The animation is breathtaking!
Rated 20 Oct 2013
bakcheiabakcheia
Rated 19 Feb 2012
65
51st
Visually captivating. Lacking substantially on plot though.
Rated 19 Feb 2012
catnipCatnip
Rated 19 Jun 2014
80
75th
wonderful art style, fantastic music and voice acting, a very enjoyable movie not only for kids
Rated 19 Jun 2014
johnny6gunJohnny6Gun
Rated 16 Oct 2010
65
74th
This could have been a classic, not unlike some of Miyazaki's work, but like his recent Ponyo, Kells looks great but is without a strong story arc and probably too boring for children. As fascinating as I find the work of biblical Illuminators and some Irish pagan lore, it's hard to see children caring little about these grown-up interests more than the funny white kitty and happy faerie girl. The Samurai Jack meets Windwaker, meets Okami, meets stain glass visuals are amazing, so run with it.
Rated 16 Oct 2010
filmdotfilmdot
Rated 03 Feb 2010
84
52nd
An incredibly original animation style. A Feast for the eyes.
Rated 03 Feb 2010
doomgazeDOOMGAZE
Rated 23 Feb 2010
70
4th
this movie is ridiculously well-animated and breathtakingly beautiful. that being said, the ending is absolutely terrible. watch this for how good it looks, not the story.
Rated 23 Feb 2010
monografiqmonografiq
Rated 31 Dec 2019
80
87th
A bit abstract and too violent for kids.
Rated 31 Dec 2019
boxcarsBoxcars
Rated 18 May 2015
8
71st
"The Secret of the Kells" is an absolutely gorgeously drawn, colored, and animated feature that handles its sometimes dark subject matter with enough subtlety and visual storytelling to maintain its tranquil and beautiful atmosphere.
Rated 18 May 2015

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