💬 The Secret of Kells (2009)

A beautiful place where the illuminators do not have to build walls.

A sage.

A tiny wonder.

A very short Brother I see. (ALL LAUGHING)

A wall to save civilization.

Abbot Cellach.

Abbot, I explain for you.

About Kells, about Aidan,

About the book. I shouldn't have.

Afraid?

Ah, beautiful.

Ah, but when you have this little one to keep up with,

Ah, but you see, I was thinking I could stay here...

Ah.

Aidan is my friend.

Aidan the Wise. Aidan is indeed the great one.

AIDAN: The book was never meant to be hidden away behind walls,

AIDAN: Was I to stay and be killed?

AIDAN: Well! (GASPS)

Aisling, if I don't try, the book will never be complete.

Aisling, you're only scaring yourself.

AISLING: (WHISPERING) Brendan.

AISLING: (WHISPERING) I have lived through many ages.

AISLING: A bit left.

AISLING: Crom!

Aisling!

Aisling! This place is hurting you. You must go back.

Aisling?

Aisling.

All I've ever seen is inside the walls of Kells.

All knowledge would be lost for eternity.

All right then, I will help you.

All right, then. We promise.

All those innocents lost.

All would become clear.

All you want for us is this wall.

And decided to rummage through my things.

And he had more than one eye.

And hope that we are fast enough.

And I fall in the mud.

And I think I read that once.

And I tried to stop him.

And I'm sure I won't have to go that far.

And my door is bolted from the outside.

And no more Brother Aidan.

And of what interest is the book to you?

And once there is nothing left here to distract him...

And that is something the Abbot knew a long time ago.

And the Eye is here.

And they said that Saint Columbkille himself began it.

And this is my forest.

And what parts are shrouded by the mists.

And who might you be?

And you continue to defend him, Brendan.

And your imagination.

Are you hurt?

As Columbkille used to say, Questions do not burn your tongue

Ask the... What?

ASSOUA: Heaven on Earth.

ASSOUA: Sinners have been blinded while glancing upon the pages.

ASSOUA: That's not true! He had a third eye, not a third hand.

ASSOUA: The Book of Iona outshines all others

ASSOUA: Yes, that is all the man cares about, nothing else,

Back down. Hmm.

Because I disobeyed him. Why?

Because of his three hands with 12 fingers on each.

Because of the miracle of Columbkille's third eye.

Brendan, how am I to trust you with responsibility

Brendan, that scaffolding is not steady!

Brendan, wait, wait, wait. We can't... Hurry!

BRENDAN: Brother! Very good indeed. Yes.

BRENDAN: But the Abbot says that islands are too easy to attack.

BRENDAN: But, Brother Aidan...

BRENDAN: Crom Cruach!

BRENDAN: I've heard about creatures like you.

BRENDAN: Look! Huh? What?

BRENDAN: The Book of Iona.

BRENDAN: The work of angels.

Brendan! (PANGUR HISSING)

Bring them to the tower.

Brother Aidan lived to see his work passed on and completed.

Brother Aidan said you were an illuminator once.

Brother Aidan was right.

Brother Aidan! I found them! I...

Brother Leonardo,

Brother... ...it'll open up a whole new world.

Brothers, welcome to Kells one of the great illuminators of our times.

But Crom Cruach's only a story for children.

But how was I to know?

But if my brothers were here now,

But it hasn't been made yet.

But it is only the work of mere mortals, I'm afraid, like me or you.

But it makes the deepest emerald green ink you will ever see.

But it's not a good...

But on the condition that you leave Kells with the first thaw of spring.

But that was for making the prophecies.

But they're not really berries.

But we are mere scribblers next to true masters.

But where is Iona?

But you can't eat those.

But you said... CELLACH: Brendan.

But, Brendan, you've never been outside these walls.

But, please, from where? A very long way?

But, uh, on Iona we always arranged them...

But... I...

By his own hand.

Calm down, calm down, little Brother.

Cellach, please, don't blame the boy.

CELLACH: Brendan,

CELLACH: Brendan!

CELLACH: Brendan! (GASPS)

CELLACH: Brendan. AIDAN: No, no, no.

CELLACH: Brother Aidan of Iona.

CELLACH: This is not Iona.

CELLACH: Welcome to Kells, Brother. Hmm?

CELLACH: You see, I am determined to complete the fortifications

CELLACH: You should not have come here. (GASPS)

Cellach.

Clean yourself up for pity's sake.

Close the door!

Columbkille instructed that the crystal should never be used

Columbkille would want it to go to you.

Come along, there's much work to be done.

Come along!

Come on so!

Come on then, I'll ask the forest where they are.

Come on!

Come on.

Coming.

Crom Cruach took my people, it took my mother.

Crom Cruach?

Crom Cruach.

Crom!

Dawn till evening bell.

Deep inside one of its dwelling places.

Deer

Destroying all in search of gold.

Do what?

Do you understand?

Do you want to see the most beautiful page?

Don't panic, Pangur. We just have to find the way back before dark.

Don't speak its name!

Don't worry, Pangur. I won't be alone.

Find some food for, uh...

For Cellach and for the book.

For making pictures.

For to gaze upon the book is to gaze upon heaven itself!

Forgive us, Abbot.

From a friend in the forest.

From a stinky berry.

From tiny berries do great images come to life.

From trees and rocks than in any other place.

From which we create immortal pages of sacred text.

Gold!

Good.

Got a vision as clear and wonderful as his own.

Ha! You're here! How... How did you...

Have I not warned you enough about what lies outside these walls?

Have it then.

Have you ever studied the tiny pattern on a greenfly's wing?

Have you not heard about the Eye of Columbkille?

Have you seen it?

He has a white cat!

He is not happy because we are not working on the wall.

He lives on a tiny island called Iona.

He said... That's enough!

He says it will turn darkness into light. Wait until you see it!

He was only a boy.

He'll have to turn around and stare whatever it is in the face!

He's alive!

Hello? (ECHOING)

Here they are, Uncle.

Here, here and here.

Here's what you're looking for.

Hey, wait!

Hey, wait. I'm supposed to feed you.

His third hand was for beginning the book.

Hmm?

Hmm? Oh.

Hmm. Hmm!

How can I get you out?

How could I know he would perish?

I can still continue my training, can't I?

I can't do that.

I can't give up the book, Uncle.

I can't go. I'm not allowed outside the walls.

I cannot do the Chi Rho page.

I could go into the forest. Wouldn't Brother Aidan be surprised?

I did have a little help.

I didn't mean to...

I do. Smaller ones.

I don't have a family, and we have food in Kells.

I don't have to go outside to know how dangerous it is.

I don't know what you're talking about, and I don't want to know.

I don't know, Pangur.

I don't know.

I don't mean the book any harm.

I don't understand.

I don't want to eat them. They're for ink.

I dreamt it was destroyed.

I escaped the Vikings and left them far behind, Brother Cellach.

I found them.

I have no time, Brendan.

I have seen suffering in the darkness.

I have seen the book.

I have seen the Northmen invading Ireland,

I have to go back.

I have to go there.

I have to go.

I haven't been completely honest with you.

I lost my brothers to attackers from the outside.

I must confess, my boy,

I must take him to see the important work we're doing to fortify Kells.

I need time!

I really want to help Brother Aidan.

I should never go out there!

I suppose you'd have to see it.

I think I could get those ink berries all by myself.

I think there's one in the Dark One's cave.

I thought I'd lost you a long time ago.

I thought the very same when I first saw it.

I thought you knew how to climb trees.

I told you.

I will help you find the things you want, on one condition.

I won't be afraid of the dark.

I won't... There must be somebody else.

I... (GOOSE HONKS)

I... I went into the forest.

I'd be back before he'd even miss me.

I'd say he could do it right enough.

I'll find some other way.

I'll have a talk with him and...

I'll show you how to make it. So, come on!

I'm alone, too.

I'm helping him make the most incredible book in the whole world.

I'm not here to get food for my family.

I'm not... I'm not allowed to...

I'm so happy to find you here.

I'm so tired.

I'm sorry it took so long to come down.

I'm sorry, but we have to do this.

I've never seen anything like it, Pangur.

If he is ever to light up the Chi Rho page,

If I can't trust you to stay out of harm's way,

If I could just see one page...

If I could show the crystal to you,

If I keep thinking of the book,

If it isn't the little Brother with the big questions.

If there were no books,

If this is your forest, you must know everything about it.

If we had a true master illuminator,

If you don't, I'll make the wolves get you!

If you help me get a dozen or so from the forest,

If you looked at just one page, you'd see why.

If you're finished, it's time to go back down.

In the most fragile of places.

Ink! We have to make ink!

Into light.

Into the tower!

Is that what you really believe will happen?

Is that where you keep the book? Hmm?

Is this your cat? (EXCLAIMS)

Isn't that right, Pangur Ban?

It dropped from his hand.

It has not been used since Iona.

It is dangerous.

It is the cave of the Dark One.

It is the only comfort I have in this world.

It is this way. Come on, everyone.

It is to be the Chi Rho page.

It is with the strength of our walls

It is? Yes.

It takes everything. You will die!

It was entrusted to me.

It was for Brother Aidan... Brendan.

It was so real, Uncle!

It will all be over in a minute.

It's like heaven, no?

It's too dangerous.

It's too late.

It's waiting in the darkness.

Just come away! It's too dangerous.

Just for a little while, not very long.

Just to...

Just you

Keep going. Finish what you start.

Keep it quiet, Brendan, or the abbot will hear.

Lad! Hmm?

LEONARDO: His writings are said to glow from the pages, as though they are light.

LEONARDO: I don't know why there are artists in Kells

LEONARDO: No, not because of his third eye,

LEONARDO: Of course!

LEONARDO: We were only just talking of you and of the book.

Let it light the way in these dark days of the Northmen.

Let me keep the book, Cellach.

Let us pray that one will be delivered to us one day.

Let us pray!

Like all islands should be.

Liquid color, you put it on pages.

Locked away from the world which inspired its creation.

Look, I'm sorry, all right?

Look, look, this... This is not the place for you, lad,

Look!

Lucky bird.

MAN: Oh, no, no not that far.

Maybe I...

Maybe the boy has gone blind.

Maybe we'd better go home.

Maybe you can take a message to Brother Aidan.

Must be a stone mason. (BOTH CHUCKLING)

My eyes have become too old and my hands unsteady.

My name's Brendan. What's yours?

My uncle.

Named for the creature that Columbkille won the crystal from

Nice goosy, goosy, goosy... Hmm.

No more excursions, no more scriptorium

No mother?

No wall can stop the Northmen, Abbot.

No, Brendan, it's tricking you.

No, but it will become the most glorious page of the entire book.

No, it's a crystal.

No, not yet!

No, wait, please! Do you know where I can find these?

No, wait! Don't lean on that... (SCREAMS)

No.

No. And you never will without the crystal.

Not bad, huh?

Not my wall, Aidan.

Not yet!

Now enough of that! What about the books? Does he not find them?

Now you are also forbidden to enter the scriptorium.

Now, come along, there are matters to be tended to in the workroom.

Now, I must protect you

Now, let's see.

Now, once I find the crystal...

Now, one question at a time.

Now, that wasn't so hard, was it?

Now, to start with, you can help me gather some of these, from an old oak tree.

Of course you can do it.

Of course, it might help if I knew what an oak tree looked like.

Of course, you'll need another eye.

Of course. No. Wait!

Oh, I understand perfectly well!

Oh, no, it's hard enough.

Oh, no, that's not it!

Oh, there's nothing in this life but mist.

Oh, yes, 'twas long enough all right.

Oh, yes, please! I help the Brothers find quills all the time.

Oh!

Oh! Fine size of a place, isn't it?

Oh.

Oh. But the Abbot...

Oh. Except for the last part.

Oh. Mmm.

Old fools should learn to keep quiet.

Old fools! Oh!

On his deathbed, he prayed that his apprentice

One at a time!

One day that horror will come to us.

One day, you will take control of this abbey.

One, two, three, four, five.

Ooh!

Open it!

Open your eyes and I'll tell you my name.

Or you'll be in big trouble! (GASPS)

Pagans, Crom worshippers.

Please, Abbot, you must take your rest.

Please, Abbot.

Please, Aisling, go now!

Please, Uncle,

Please, Uncle, you don't understand.

Please... Please, Abbot, it's my fault.

Quickly, Brendan, where is the secret passage to the forest?

Rest? With our most important treasure destroyed?

Right this way, Brother.

Right, so, Pangur Ban, tomorrow I'll go into the forest!

Right, then, it is time to begin.

Saved your life, second time today.

See if he has come to his senses.

See if...

SERGEI: I think we are tempting fate, this is true.

SERGEI: It is far, far away in the sea.

Shh!

So I wouldn't come here for it anyway. I was just a bit lost.

So maybe I shouldn't.

So that they may have hope.

So, where are the berries then?

Some say that before the crystal became known as the Eye of Columbkille,

Sorry, I mean, Abbot Cellach.

Sorry, Pangur.

SQUARE: Enough! Just tell the boy about Brother Aidan.

SQUARE: The book was begun 200 years ago,

Stand back, I will get her.

Stay inside!

Such as Brother Aidan of Iona.

Suffering? What do you mean?

Surely it can't be more dangerous than climbing an oak tree.

Surely you don't need a master.

Take it to Brendan.

Tang, leave me be.

Tang, tell villagers to stay in their huts.

TANG: Brendan.

Tang! Open the door!

Tell me, Brendan, would you like to help me?

That is exactly why we must prepare ourselves.

That they will come to trust the strength of our faith.

The Abbot of Kells says that you shouldn't be afraid of imaginary things.

The Abbot says that that's all pagan nonsense.

The Abbot sees us.

The book is a beacon in these dark days of the Northmen.

The book is saved and I mean to complete it.

The Book of Iona!

The Book of Iona.

The Book of Kells?

The book that turned darkness

The book.

The Brothers said that the sinners are blinded if they glance at the book.

The cover is not the real treasure.

The Eye of Columbkille.

The Eye of Crom!

The gate will hold! You will lead the new refugees into the chapel.

The gate won't hold. We must... We must run from here!

The key is in the Abbot's room.

The mesmerizing detail.

The Northmen are upon us, and here you are drawing!

The Northmen left no one on Iona,

The Northmen will have followed you...

The one that will turn darkness into light?

The only way he knew how.

The people must have books, so that they may have hope.

The perfect illuminator.

The person who is short of stature is never as short of questions.

The plans are in my work room.

The plans?

The steps aren't strong enough!

The tower is locked.

The wisest one of them all.

The work of the angels. Hear that, Pangur?

Then, as he drew his last breath,

There is an abbey on the island

There is more than one dwelling place for the Dark One.

There is more than one story about the Eye.

There is nothing for you here.

There's no one but us here now.

There's no such thing as Crom Cruach.

They can seek comfort there until the attackers move on.

They will leave no one in Kells.

They would tell you that you will learn more in the woods

They'll make no distinction between young and old. So...

They're kind of stinky, too.

This is a place of suffering.

This is all I have left.

This is no dream.

This is not a crystal, it's the crystal!

This section of the wall is supported by three pillars.

Through the eyes of salmon,

True masters? Such as...

Ugh! They look like boar droppings.

Uh, no.

Uh...

Uh... ASSOUA: We cannot only build walls.

Uh... CELLACH: Brendan, where are those plans I asked for?

Uh... I didn't mean to.

Uncle just wants to protect us from the outside.

Uncle, someone has arrived!

Uncle!

Under the orders of none other than Saint Columbkille himself.

Unless the work is worthy of it.

Unless young fools want to listen.

Wait until you see the rest of my forest.

Wait!

Was it this way? Do you remember?

We can't help him now.

We have one day before the Vikings attack Kells!

We have to keep running, Brendan,

We have to save him!

We went to get these, for you.

We would do such splendid work.

We... We cannot stop.

We'd better go now. I know a secret way to get you home.

We're moving the scaffolding to the west wall. Hurry along now!

We're only here for a short while.

Welcome to Kells, Brother Aidan!

Well, I suppose not.

Well, I think you're ready to learn Columbkille's secret.

Well, I'm...

Well, it doesn't take half the time.

Well, like leaves, it's hard to explain,

Well, there's nothing you can't do when you have friends to help you, huh?

Well, where is he then?

Well, you can go right back where you came from.

Well?

What are you doing in my forest?

What are you doing? Come away!

What did you say?

What if we pray for a miracle?

What is ink?

What is it? It's a humble little berry,

What's a crystal?

What's keeping you?

When all that man wants us to do

When the Northmen come to Kells,

When they come, all we can do is run

When you continue to disappoint me?

Where could it have... It's lost.

Where did you last have it?

Where have you all been?

Where have you been? Hmm?

Where he works on a magnificent book.

Which way?

Who is the Brother Aidan?

Why did the Abbot put you in there?

Within two years.

Without one of these.

Yeah, like bushes.

Yes, but... Yet you disobey me.

Yes, of course. It's easy.

Yes, Uncle.

Yes.

Yes. (PANGUR YOWLS)

You all have work to do.

You and your pet must promise to never come into my forest again.

You are never to leave the abbey again without my permission.

You are the Abbot of Kells!

You can visit the forest again, if you like.

You can't find out everything from books, you know.

You can't... Brother Tang will bring him his meals

You did? So you did!

You found those berries,

You got bored eavesdropping on the Abbot's private conversation

You have climbed a tree before, haven't you?

You have no family?

You have to do it. I would ruin it.

You just don't understand.

You little fool!

You mean your wall?

You must get up!

You must go back before the Abbot finds out.

You should be the one to do that page!

You should have seen him, Brother Sergei.

You should have stayed in your tower.

You were always good at the old drawing, Cellach.

You were only a boy.

You were right.

You will see miracles.

You'd better bring the Abbot those plans,

You'll be safe in here with your precious book.

You'll have to remain here until you see sense.

You're a fairy!

You're fast.

You're really frightened?

You've been forbidden to leave the abbey.

You've certainly developed a steady hand.

You've come to spoil it, haven't you?

You've forgotten how important it is.

YOUNG BRENDAN: Aisling?

Your breakfast, Abbot.

Your feathers will become the tools

(BLADE SWISHES) (MAN GROANS)

(CAWS)

(CELLACH MOANS)

(CHILDREN CHATTERING)

(CHILDREN LAUGHING)

(CHUCKLES)

(CHUCKLES) Calm down, lad, calm down. I won't tell on you.

(CHUCKLING) I didn't know they made angels as funny looking as me.

(CHUCKLING) SERGEI: Will you be staying long?

(CLANGING) (EXCLAIMS)

(EXCLAIMS) (ALL GASP)

(EXCLAIMS) (SCREAMS)

(EXCLAIMS) ASSOUA: Brendan, are you still here?

(EXCLAIMS) How is this possible? It was destroyed!

(EXPLOSION)

(FOOTSTEPS PATTERING)

(GASPING)

(GASPS)

(GASPS) Aisling!

(GASPS) Brendan!

(GASPS) It was called the Eye of Crom Cruach.

(GASPS) It's all lost!

(GROWLING)

(GROWLING) (GASPS)

(GROWLS)

(GROWLS) No!

(GRUNTING)

(GRUNTS)

(MEN LAUGHING) It is not funny.

(MEN SINGING)

(MEWS)

(MEWS) (MEN LAUGHING)

(PANGUR MEWING) (GASPS)

(PANGUR MEWS)

(PANGUR MEWS) (GASPS)

(PANGUR PURRS)

(PANGUR YOWLS)

(PANGUR YOWLS) Where is it?

(PANTING)

The Secret of Kells (2009)
The Secret of Kells is an enchanting animated film directed by Tomm Moore in 2009. Set in medieval Ireland, the movie follows the adventures of a young boy named Brendan who embarks on a magical journey to complete the Book of Kells, a legendary illuminated manuscript. Along the way, he encounters mystical creatures, helps a forest spirit, and learns the power of imagination. The stunning visual styles, intricate artwork, and captivating storyline make this film a true masterpiece. The cast includes the voices of Evan McGuire, Christen Mooney, Brendan Gleeson, and Mick Lally. To immerse yourself in the wondrous world of The Secret of Kells, you can play and download the film's sounds here.
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