What It’s About: Brendan (Evan McGuire) is a young monk living in a well protected monastery during the Middle Ages.  Another monk, Aidan (Mick Lally) arrives, the sole survivor of a Viking raid, bearing with him a precious illuminated manuscript.  Aidan soon has Brendan disobeying the Abbot (Brendan Gleeson) who is (understandably) obsessed with security…but is Aidan or the Abbot following the correct course of action…and will the Vikings come…

Why Watch it Today?: Today is St. Patrick’s Day, and The Secret of Kells tells a story about an Irish treasure, the Book of Kells, a beautiful illuminated bible held at Trinity College in Dublin.  The film is a French/Belgian/Irish co-production, with a very different feel than many other animated films.

Other Choices:  Previously we suggested John Ford’s classic ode to the Ireland of Irish American myth, The Quiet Man, and The Return of Sabata, a Spaghetti Western which features an Irish clan obsessed with their gold.