Which it does in glorious fashion without ever seeming unnatural or outdated. To help complete the magical book, brendan has to overcome his deepest fears on a dangerous quest. The book of kells is inches wide and 10 inches high. Apr 08, 2010 the secret of kells is a perfectly unique animated film, literally unlike anything else i can think to name. Mar 05, 2010 the secret of kells, directed by tomm moore, concerns the book of kells, a medieval illuminated manuscript that ranks among the most important artifacts of irish civilization.
Evan mcguire and christen mooney in the secret of kells 2009 the secret of kells 2009 christen. The book must be finished, but accomplishing that mission will be no simple task. What this means is that the illustrations of a book, often a bible or the gospels, are decorated with gold or silver leaf in addition to vibrant. This is a beautifully animated piece that fictionalizes and mythologizes the creation of an actual masterpiece, the book of kells. For our group project, we researched the irish manuscript, the book of kells. Parents need to know that the secret of kells is an oscarnominated animated movie thats too intense for preschoolers and even young elementary schoolaged kids. Set in 8th century ireland, it is beautifully animated, taking cues from ancient illuminated manuscripts and gaelic folk art. Tomm moores christians, pagans, fairy girls and beasts the. You enter a room with large poster size copies of the book of kells and videos explaining more about it. Tomm moore was born on january 7, 1977 in newry, northern ireland. The work is the most famous of the medieval illuminated manuscripts for the intricacy, detail, and majesty of the illustrations. An introduction to the book of kells and the beautiful film the secret of kells made by the studio cartoon saloon.
Secret of kells brother aidan art of animation brendan, a young, curious, and idealistic boy living in the tightly knit community at the monastery of kells, is very curious about the mysterious book that turns darkness into light. An leabhar cheanannais dublin, trinity college library, ms a. Part of the success of kells is its use of universal themes. 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. The secret of kells is a magical animated classic that tells the story of brendan, a young monk whose life is changed forever when he is initiated into the secrets of the book of kells and embarks on an extraordinary adventure, meeting fearsome monsters, vikings, and a serpent god along the way. The medieval masterpiece, the book of kells, is now. Tags animation, family, fantasy language english, irish director tomm moore, nora twomey. Book of kells the library of trinity college dublin. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin.
With the viking hordes approaching, the monks of kells are forced to turn their attention from transcribing manuscripts to building barricades. I can only imagine someone giving this masterpiece one star being like the northmen themselves who blindly gazed upon the beauty of the book and found it worthless. The animation for this fictitous tale of the making of the very real book of kells, a beautiful irish version of the bible, is truly breathtaking. Animated by irish studio cartoon saloon, the secret of kells is meant to directly resemble the famous manuscript its based on. I didnt know that this book actually exists, but knowing it now makes my interpretation and analysis much a lot easier. Secret of kells takes on animation big boys in oscar races.
His first feature film, the secret of kells, was nominated for an academy award for best animated feature film on 2 february 2010. Thanks to jerry beck for this photo from comiccon of the designing the secret of kells books arriving at comic con. It is something all irish children learn about in school, is regularly discussed as part of irish history and art, and is generally considered to be the countrys most prized possession. He began working on the secret of kells while studying animation in college, driven by an interest in history and particularly in the ornate graphic style of the real book of kells. Download premium images you cant get anywhere else. The secret of kells is an independent, animated feature that gives us one of the fabled stories surrounding the book of kells, an illuminated manuscript from the middle ages featuring the four gospels of the new testament. He is cofounder of cartoon saloon, an animation studio and production company, based in kilkenny, ireland. Ancient book inspires classic animation of the secret of. Mar 03, 2010 he began working on the secret of kells while studying animation in college, driven by an interest in history and particularly in the ornate graphic style of the real book of kells. To help complete the magical book, brendan has to overcome his deepest fears on a. This beautifullyproduced feature relates a mystical tale of the making of the book. A fictionalized version of the history of the book of kells, the story focuses on brendan, a young monk wanting to join his fellow monks in working on illuminating.
The animation is wonderful with an old magic that fits the subject. It is thought to have been produced around the 9th century, when irish art and culture flourished, and is the most lavishly decorated gospels of this time. The secret of kells original title or brendan and the secret of kells is an irishbelgianfrench coproduction directed by tomm moore at cartoon saloon, the studio behind skunk fu. Cartoon saloon the secret of kells animated feature film. Song of the sea director tomm moore discusses the future of handdrawn animation and the magic of irish folklore in the wake of his second oscar nomination. The artistic styles are similarly simple and evocative, with the protagonists in earth tones, the villains in stark blacks and reds, and the illuminations in full, dazzling. Two tiny gems kisses and prince of broadway, two offbeat animated films a town called panic and the secret of kells, and a pair of proficient hollywood entertainments unstoppable and the town helped brighten this year. This is a precautionary measure to minimise the spread of covid19. This and his further adventures are related in tomm moores film, which is a little like an illuminated manuscript itself. A download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
It went into wide release in belgium and france on 11 february, and ireland on 3 march. A bewitching animated fairytale for children and adults alike. The secret of kells the secret of kells, book of kells. Check out the official the secret of kells 2009 trailer starring brendan gleeson. The book of kells is a masterpiece of medieval arta brilliantly decorated version of the four gospels with fullpage depictions of christ, the virgin and the evangelists as well as a wealth of smaller decorative painting. Magic, fantasy, and celtic mythology come together in a riot of color and detail that dazzle the eyes in a sweeping story about the power of.
The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript that is basically an early illustrated bible, which includes the four gospels and the life of jesus christ. The animation takes its style from the drawings in the book of kells, which i think is creative and beautiful. The book of kells isnt the only illuminated manuscript in the socalled insular style. Brother aidan arrives with the book of iona that is suppose to shine a light beacon into the dark times. May 19, 2015 2010 academy award nominee, best animated feature. The secret of kells what is this remarkable animated. Apr 26, 2016 the book of kells isnt the only illuminated manuscript in the socalled insular style. The secret of kells is a 2009 animated feature movie by irish animation studio cartoon saloon the font used for the movie title on the poster is probably baldur. Cartoon saloon is an irish animation studio based in kilkenny, ireland. Although you probably know more or less what kind of book is being created, i dont believe there are mentions of a specific religion or what the book s text is. The secret of kells critics consensus beautifully drawn and refreshingly calm, the secret of kells hearkens back to animation s golden age with an enchanting tale inspired by irish mythology. The ancient masterpiece is a stunning example of hibernosaxon style, thought to have been composed on the scottish island of iona in 806, then transferred to the monastery of kells in county meath after a viking raid a story told in the marvelous animated film the secret of kells. This unexpected find has quickly become one of my favorite movies.
The secret of kells trailer new original animation youtube. The secret of kells is unlike most of the animation released these days. The old library and the book of kells open seven days a week for visitorswe hope you have a chance to be one. This vibrant animation is a spirited retelling of the provenance of irelands most cherished artefact, the book of kells.
Come down and get one signed today or any day until sunday. Jan 31, 2018 the book of kells is one of the top attractions for visitors to ireland. Aiden opens brendans eyes to the art of illustration and the lure of the outside world. Secret of kells takes on animation big boys in oscar. Karl cohen is president of asifasf and teaches animation history at sf state university. The story begins in mediaeval ireland, where 12yearold brendan has come to live with his uncle, the abbot cellach, in his monastery. The book of kells is a beautifully illustrated manuscript codex of the latin text of gospels.
For irish people, it represents a sense of pride, a tangible link to a positive time in irelands past, reflected through its unique art. This enchanting oscarnominated animation is a triumph of innovative handdrawn techniques. Magic, fantasy, and celtic mythology come together in a riot of color and detail that dazzle the eyes in. Featuring a plot heavily inspired by irish mythology, it tells the story of the viking invasion of ireland and the creation of the book of kells, an irish national treasure. The secret of kells character turnaround song of the sea book of kells animation light in the dark film drawing reference cartoon characters. We wish to inform you that the book of kells and old library exhibition will temporarily close to visitors until further notice. Here are ten things you should know about this ancient masterpiece. The animated story of the boy behind the famed book of kells.
This animated film gives a fictionalized account of the creation of the book of kells, an illuminated manuscript of the bible which has since become an irish national treasure. Beautifully drawn and refreshingly calm, the secret of kells hearkens back to animations golden age with an enchanting tale inspired by irish mythology. As the vikings close in, brendan ventures into the. The book of kells is to dublin what the mona lisa is to paris and the sistine chapel ceiling is to rome. Browse 140 book of kells stock photos and images available, or search for illuminated manuscript or trinity college to find more great stock photos and pictures. The characters are likable and their story is compelling. A fictional and magical story about the origins of the book of kells. You can sort of hedge around, with its kind of this.
Three time academy award nominated for its animated feature films. Steeped in irish folklore, the movie includes scenes of barbarian invaders sweeping through towns, terrorizing and killing people with their swords and axes as they go. Described by the dfcc as a lavish animation the secret of kells is a powerful, moving, and humorous tale of the adventure, action and danger that await twelveyearold brendan, who must fight vikings and a serpent god to find a crystal and complete the legendary book of kells. The book of kells exhibition what is the book of kells. Just as every margin of the book of kells is crowded with minute and glorious decorations, so is every shot of the film filled with patterns and borders, arches and frames, dodads and scrimshaw images. To help complete the magical book, brendan has to overcome his deepest fears on a dangerous quest that takes him into the enchanted forest. Mar 16, 2010 the idea was to look at the book of kells and medieval art in general and to try and translate that into a style that would suit 2d animation. I was priveleged to view the original 3 times, twice at its home in the trinty college library, dblin, and once in the late 70s at the philadelphia museum of art when the national. Ireland and the book of kells history course futurelearn.
Animation storyboard animation reference bible illustrations illustration sketches android jones anna cattish samurai jack wall e book of kells. You havent been to ireland unless youve seen the book of kells. With as many disparate styles of animation there are in the world, between movies and television programs and the internet, its still impossible to say, kells is just like that. Using the scrollwork designs and microscopic detailing of the book of kells, an illuminated manuscript of the four gospels. Monks from the original monastery founded by st columba also set up other monastic communities including. It was created in a columban monastery in either britain or ireland and may have had. Given its a film that is about 75 minutes one will be shocked by the abrupt ending that never materialize the true power of the book of kells holds. The book of kells on film in 2009 an animated film was released called the secret of kells. Designed by patrick michael murphy, baldur is an uncial type with a decided celtic feel. He is known for his work on song of the sea 2014, the secret of kells. Secret of kells was directed by tomm moore and nora twomey and voice actors include brendan gleeson, christen mooney, mick laffy, michael mcgrath and evan mcguire. Tomm moore, born 7 january 1977 is an irish illustrator, comics artist and filmmaker. The book of kells trinity college dublin ms 58 contains the four gospels in latin based on the vulgate text which st jerome completed in 384ad, intermixed with readings from the earlier old latin translation.
Nov 05, 2015 together with the gospels of lindisfarne and the book of durrow, i would say that the book of kells is one of the greatest contributions to medieval art ever to come out of the british isles. The secret of kells is an animation movie produced by cartoon saloon and directed by tomm moore and nora twomey in 2009. The film closes with an animated rendition of some of the. The secret of kells what is this remarkable animated feature. The idea was to look at the book of kells and medieval art in general and to try and translate that into a style that would suit 2d animation. We explored the stepbystep processes involved in creating a manuscr. Moores first animated feature film, which he codirected with nora twomey, is the secret of kells 2009, written by fabrice ziolkowski from a story by moore and aidan harte. The book of kells is one of the finest and most famous, and also one of the latest, of a group of manuscripts in what is known as the insular style, produced from the late 6th through the early 9th centuries in monasteries in ireland, scotland and england and in continental monasteries with hibernoscottish or anglosaxon foundations. Magic, fantasy, and celtic mythology come together in a riot of color and detail that. Along the way, brendan befriended the white forest sprite aisling, as he sought to recover an ancient crystal invaluable to the meticulous art of book illustration. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript in latin of the four gospels of the new testament together with some extra texts and tables it was created by celtic monks about 800 ad or slightly earlier. Dating back to 800ad the book of kells is considered the oldest book in the world as well as one of the most famous books. This film is true to the mythology and history behind it, does not warp it like disney animations. Ancient book inspires classic animation of the secret of kells.
The secret of kells original title or brendan and the secret of kells is an irishbelgianfrench coproduction directed by tomm moore at cartoon saloon, the studio behind skunk fu a fictionalized version of the history of the book of kells, the story focuses on brendan, a young monk wanting to join his fellow monks in working on illuminating texts. Brendan reunites with the aged guiltridden cellach, and brendan displays the complete book of kells. The book of kells, a masterful illuminated latin gospel form ca. Beautifully drawn and refreshingly calm, the secret of kells hearkens back to animations golden age with an. Tomm moores 2009 irish fantasy film the secret of kells was my introduction to animation studio cartoon saloon and subsequently indie animation such a treasure i came across and so wish to see. Preserving culture is important, but the film is careful not to spell out specifics that might limit its audience. Cartoon saloon cartoon saloon irish animation studio. Find highquality book of kells stock photos and editorial news pictures from getty images. Brendan is a young boy living in a walled medieval monastery town of kells. Consisting mainly of copies of the four gospels, as well as. Originally released in ireland, one of its countries of origin, the secret of kells story is intertwined with the book of kells. The film closes with an animated rendition of some of the illuminated pages of the book. Something uniquely irish, but drawing on the traditions of american and japanese animation.