Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1884 in DVD
• Released on: 2009-04-27
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 99 minutes

DVD Description
Journey into a world of hope and discovery with the sumptuous adaptation of David Almond’s acclaimed, award-winning novel. A young boy discovers a strange, winged creature hidden amongst the shadowy cobwebs of his decayed garden shed. Together with his new friend Mina, Michael befriends this extraordinary being whilst his baby sister clings to life in an incubator. But Skellig is far more than he seems and his presence will change Michael’s life, and the lives of his family, forever. Featuring an all-star cast including Tim Roth and Kelly MacDonald, Skellig is a magical and inspiring tale of friendship told with a compassion and sensitivity that won’t fail to touch your heart.

Bonus Features

• Interviews: with the cast (Bill Millner, John Simm, Tim Rothe and Kelly McDonald), director AJ Jankel and writer David Almond
• Behind The Scenes Special FX: tour of the wings workshop with demonstrations
• Make Up: Tim Roth's prosthetic application in high speed

Synopsis
Adapted from the award winning novel by David Almond, Skellig tells the story of young Michael (Bill Milner) and his friendship with a peculiar, perhaps supernatural creature. Everything begins when Michael’s family moves into a new house. His mother (Kelly MacDonald) spends her time at the local hospital, looking after her new born baby girl, who is being kept in an incubator, while his father is working on the neglected garage. One day Michael, who has been prohibited from entering the precarious structure, accidentally discovers, hidden in the garage, a mysterious feathered being. The kid and the creature, whose name is Skellig (Tim Roth), become friends and Michael starts taking care of him, keeping his existence a secret. Only after their bond has become stronger, does Michael decide to introduce Skellig to his new neighbour Mina (Skye Bennett), a home-schooled girl with a penchant for visionary poet William Blake. Mina and Michael find out that Skellig has some strange wing-like bulges on his back. What is Skellig exactly? A man-bird? Or something else… something divine?

Customer Reviews

Quality Entertainment
Having read 'Skellig' as a class novel I showed this DVD to my Year 6 class. I was anxious that the children would miss the sense of mystery and wonderment that the book inspired, but I needn't have worried. A top drawer cast breathed additional depth into the characters, especially Mum and Dad, who are almost marginal in the story. Although some of the special effects were a little creaky, they did not detract from the magic of this quality production. My class simply couldn't get enough of it. I will definitely be using this resource again and thoroughly recommend it for 9-12 year-olds.

Absolutely stunning
I recently read the book of Skellig, which my dad had to force me to do. The book alone took my breath away, but then the film came out. I was skeptical of this at first - perhaps they would ruin the book, a little like The Golden Compass. However, when I sat down to watch it, I realised that it was stunningly beautiful, and extremely well-done. John Simm does a great performance, and, of course, so does Tim Roth. Yet, the performance that stands out the most is that of child actor, Bill Milner. He has, of course, been in Son of Rambow, in which his acting was also pretty good. The film does not stick entirely to the book - a lot more is given away about Skellig, and there is a beautiful scene in which Michael jumps off a tower, hoping that Skellig will catch him.
All in all, this is a well-done film, and, in my opinion, a classic.

Skellig on DVD - even better than the book.
I was lucky enough to see a preview screening of this and loved it. The film is warm, funny and totally uplifting. A perfect film to sit down and watch with the entire family.