The Secret of Roan Inish

PG

Released Jan 21, 1994

1 hr. 43 min.

Kids & Family

Drama

List

95%

44 Reviews

Tomatometer

87%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Fiona (Jeni Courtney) is a young Irish girl with an unusual family history, including a long-missing baby brother. When she goes to live with her grandparents on the west coast of Ireland, Fiona hears stories about her ancestors, tales that involve mythical creatures called selkies who can shift from seal to human form. After Fiona ends up on the small island of Roan Inish, her family's ancestral home, she believes she may have found her little brother living by the sea.

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Critics Consensus

The Secret of Roan Inish is a gentle fairy tale filled with optimism that's suitable for the whole family.

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Whitney L

This film captures the essence of Irish life alongside it's folklore.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/07/24

Full Review

Allison S

As an Irish American who grew up watching this movie, it is so ridiculous and Irish. The grandpa literally spends half the movie just telling long stories about his ancestors, and there's a lot of superstition and praying… so it's definitely Irish AF. It's a movie with love to watch and make fun of. I'm sure it's fun to watch in earnest if you didn't grow up with it, but I just can't take seriously grown adults that just fully accept that a small child may be out there but don't look for him because "the sea has taken him". For that alone, it's hilarious.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/06/24

Full Review

Mark B

Hate to be the bug in the soup but this was not well acted and the dialogue was stilted and pretty poor. It is definitely family friendly from a content standpoint but it does not hold up and doubt it will hold your attention.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/04/24

Full Review

Mitch C

A "child's tale" that's really better suited for patient adults. Some may find it slow paced and tedious. But the acting is top notch, the Irish cinematography beautiful, and the story a peak into Irish myths. Also, I'm a sucker for celtic music, and the soundtrack does not disappoint. Not sure I would return to it, but I'm glad I watched it.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/04/24

Full Review

C. Scott A

Long and very boring. Stink, Stank, Stunk. I suffered through for my daughter's sake. She wanted to watch it. She was just a child and had no taste yet, so she picked this rotten tomato..

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This movie is so beautiful with its setting, Irish myths/legends, and the story perfectly complement each other. It is such a heartwarming story, definitely a must-see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

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John Sayles

Director

Mick Lally

Hugh

Eileen Colgan

Tess

John Lynch

Tadhg

Jeni Courtney

Fiona

Richard Sheridan

Eamon

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Anne Billson

Daily Telegraph (UK)

I wish I liked it more, but there's more than whiff of worthy Irish heritage in the air, and the story drifts all over the place. I'm afraid I kept drifting off as well.

Nov 27, 2017

Full Review

Bruce Diones

New Yorker

The rhythms are placid and the camerawork (by Haskell Wexler) is simple and unfussy. The film's a charm.

May 3, 2013

Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B+

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Melinda Miller

Buffalo News

Roan Inish is a beautiful tale of a lovely legend, of love and seals and, instead of giving up your hopes, of giving them a chance to come true.

May 11, 2021

Full Review

Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

...a story about storytelling, and how folk tales and real life can intermingle.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jul 18, 2014

Full Review

TV Guide

It's family entertainment in the best sense of the term.

Rated: 3.5/4

Mar 11, 2008

Full Review

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Synopsis

Fiona (Jeni Courtney) is a young Irish girl with an unusual family history, including a long-missing baby brother. When she goes to live with her grandparents on the west coast of Ireland, Fiona hears stories about her ancestors, tales that involve mythical creatures called selkies who can shift from seal to human form. After Fiona ends up on the small island of Roan Inish, her family's ancestral home, she believes she may have found her little brother living by the sea.

Director: John Sayles
Executive Producer: Peter Newman, John Sloss
Screenwriter: John Sayles
Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Company, Columbia TriStar Home Video
Production Co: Jones Entertainment, Skerry Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 21, 1994, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 12, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $82.6K

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