The Secret of Roan Inish (1994)

Director:

John Sayles

Writers (WGA):

Rosalie K. Fry (book)
John Sayles (screenplay)

Release Date:

3 February 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

The secret's out!

Plot:

10-year-old Fiona is sent to live with her grandparents in a small fishing village in Donegal, Ireland...

Plot Keywords:

Seal | Ireland | Island | Kids And Family | Independent Film

Awards:

1 win & 6 nominations

Cast

Jeni Courtney	...	Fiona
Pat Slowey	...	Priest
Dave Duffy	...	Jim
Declan Hannigan	...	Oldest brother
Mairéad Ní Ghallchóir	...	Barmaid
Eugene McHugh	...	Bar Patron 1
Tony Rubini	...	Bar Patron 2
Mick Lally	...	Hugh
Eileen Colgan	...	Tess
Richard Sheridan	...	Eamon
Micheal MacCarthaigh	...	Schoolmaster
Fergal McElherron	...	Sean Michael
Brendan Conroy	...	Flynn
John Lynch	...	Tadhg
Frankie McCafferty	...	Tim
Gerald Rooney	...	Liam
Susan Lynch	...	Selkie
Suzanne Gallagher	...	Selkie's daughter
Cillian Byrne	...	Jamie
Linda Greer	...	Brigid

Directed by
John Sayles

Writing credits (WGA)
Rosalie K. Fry		(book "The Secret of Ron Mor Skerry")
John Sayles		(screenplay)

Produced by
Sarah Green	....	producer
Glenn R. Jones	....	executive producer
R. Paul Miller	....	associate producer
Peter Newman	....	executive producer
Maggie Renzi	....	producer
John Sloss	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Mason Daring

Cinematography by
Haskell Wexler

Film Editing by
John Sayles

Casting by
John Hubbard
Ros Hubbard

Production Design by
Adrian Smith

Art Direction by
Dennis Bosher
Henry Harris
Lucy Richardson

Set Decoration by
Tom Conroy

Costume Design by
Consolata Boyle

Makeup Department
Dee Corcoran	....	hair stylist
Morna Ferguson	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Jasmine Kosovic	....	post-production supervisor
Kathy Sykes	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Claire Hughes	....	assistant director
Des Hughes	....	assistant director
Peter McAleese	....	assistant director

Art Department
David Balfour	....	property master
Triona Coen	....	props trainee
Andy Evans	....	construction manager
Piero Jamieson	....	dressing props
Rene Knol	....	dressing props
Christian McDonald	....	dressing props
Jerry Organ	....	production buyer
Mickey Pugh	....	stand-by props
Keith Vowles	....	dressing props

Sound Department
Jack Armstrong	....	boom operator
Marko A. Costanzo	....	foley artist
Tom Fleischman	....	sound re-recording mixer
Stuart Levy	....	foley artist
Calvin McBride	....	sound trainee
Philip Stockton	....	supervising sound editor
Clive Winter	....	sound mixer

Special Effects by
Terence J. Cox	....	senior special effects technician (as Terry Cox)
Peter Fern	....	senior special effects technician
Darrell Guyon	....	special effects technician (as Darryl Guyon)
Trevor Neighbour	....	special effects
Kevin Welch	....	underwater effects rigger

Camera and Electrical Department
Ashley Bond	....	assistant camera
Louis Conroy	....	gaffer
Noel Cullen	....	electrician
Gerry Donnelly	....	generator operator
Bill Dowling	....	video operator
Paul Englefield	....	focus puller
Jim Farrell	....	electrician
Ray Hall	....	grip
Ricky Hall	....	grip
Terry Mulligan	....	best boy
Rob Roy	....	camera loader
P. Scott Sakamoto	....	Steadicam operator
P. Scott Sakamoto	....	camera operator
Brian Sheridan	....	electrician

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Magdalen Rubalcava	....	assistant costume designer

Editorial Department
Plummy Tucker	....	assistant editor

Other crew
Randall Balsmeyer	....	title designer
Libbie Barr	....	script supervisor
Reggie Blain	....	assistant location manager
Mark Huffam	....	location manager
Margaret Moggan	....	assistant coordinator
Maria Molloy	....	accounting assistant
Pamela Molloy	....	production runner
Suzanne Nicell	....	production assistant
Maggie Phelan	....	production accountant
Clare St. John	....	production coordinator
Jane Trower	....	first assistant accountant

Production Companies

• Jones Entertainment Group
• Skerry Productions

Distributors

• Les Films Number One (1997) (France) (theatrical)
• Samuel Goldwyn Company, The (1995) (USA) (theatrical)
• Civite Films (Spain)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (USA) (VHS)
• Divisa Home Video (2005-2009) (Spain) (DVD)
• First Look International (1995) (USA)
• Gativideo (Argentina) (video)
• HVC Films (Brazil) (VHS)
• Versátil Home Vídeo (2002) (Brazil) (DVD)

MPAA:

Rated PG for some moments that may be disquieting to small children.

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

USA | Ireland

Language:

English | Irish Gaelic

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | South Korea:All | Argentina:13 | Australia:G | Chile:14 | Spain:T | USA:PG | Finland:S

Filming Locations:

County Donegal, Ireland

Company:

Jones Entertainment Group

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: During the storm on Roan Inish, there is a shot of the rocks holding down the roof moving quite a bit from the force of the wind. However, the rocks in the background of the cottage next door are absolutely still suggesting that the storm is completely man-made and the crew only had the wind machines on the one cottage.

A quiet, magical and elegant movie. Timeless

I happened to rent "The Secret of Roan Inish," when it was first out on video and it has been one of the best movie finds. This movie tells a captivating story with beautiful scenes of Ireland. It looks so realistic to me for the Irish culture and home-life. This movie is very quiet but never boring. It does not jump up and grab your attention or startle you, it just gradually lays out a very magical yet timeless story. It is a story about love, found and lost, and a little girl who refuses to believe that she has lost a beloved family member. It is told through her magical eyes and the Irish background and characters that cross her path easily come to life. I watch this movie whenever I need to relax and just get away from the everyday craziness of life. It is well worth the time. This movie reminds me of, "The Winter Guest," by Alan Rickman. It has a similar pace and feel to it. If you like this movie, you will probably enjoy, "The Winter Guest," as well.