MovieChat Forums > The Secret of Kells (2016) Discussion > It's the Christian Gospels. . .

It's the Christian Gospels. . .

posted 11 years ago by SuCue
14 replies | jump to latest

I only watched it once, but nowhere in this film do I remember seeing or hearing what the "magical book" actually is--an illuminated Latin manuscript of the four Christian Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.)

The viewer was left to believe it was some kind of Harry Potter book of magic.

Was the real nature of the Book of Kells obscured because of political correctness, as a misguided attempt to keep from "offending" non-Christian people? I found it creepy, as was the highly doubtful inclusion of an African and Chinese monk in an 8th Century Irish Christian monastery.

[–] kendoka-azhrei 11 years ago

The film is about Brendan's story, not about the book itself. There was no need to explain what was inside it because the story didn't require that it be explained. Actually talking about the Gospels is unnecessary, and would alter the tone of the film. There is no "misguided attempt" to refrain from offending people, there were no concerns with political correctness. It was a story about the creation and expansion of the book, not about what is in the book itself.

I really don't understand why people try to find issue with the smallest things, find problems where none exist. It's just a small story about a boy who becomes involved in the creation of a book - if you want details on what's inside the book, look elsewhere. Why must the film explain a thing simply because it's there?

[–] SuCue 11 years ago

It's one of the most famous Bibles in history and not telling the truth about what it is is plain dishonest. I find it creepy. It's like a story about the creation of the Sistine Chapel murals without acknowledging that they are scenes from the Bible.

The real Book of Kells is on display by the Irish government. It's the most famous historical artifact that the Irish people own. What happens when people who have seen the film go to see the real book, and realize that they've been lied to? Most of the artwork in the real book is of Jesus, Mary and the Apostles. The film makes it seem like the artwork only consists of fancy letters, decorative pictures of animals, and Celtic knots. But those motifs are only a small part of the illustrations.

When I realized that this film was never going to reveal what the Book of Kells actually is, I lost all interest in the story and just sat their fuming at the ridiculous cultural vandalism of my heritage.

[–] kendoka-azhrei 11 years ago

But the story isn't about the book itself, nor what's in it. All that's creepy here is you pushing whatever religious dogma you believe into a film that doesn't need it. Let me say it again - the film is NOT ABOUT THE BOOK. It is a tribute to the incredible art of those early monks who slaved away creating it. Where have people been lied to? Where does it say that the book is not about the Gospels? Does the film actively say that the Book of Kells is not a holy book, or a Christian one?

I can only laugh at your thinking they're vandalising "your" cultural heritage by telling a story about the creation of the book. If you watched this film because you wanted to learn about the book, then you were watching it for the wrong reasons, and that is not the fault of the film-makers. It is about the art and not the contents. There are plenty of other works in the media about the book and what it contains, a small animation film made on a shoestring budget should not be yours or anybody's go-to source on either the Bible or the Book of Kells.

Do you really think that people who learn about the book will be angry that the film didn't tell them story of the Gospels? Or is it just you?

[–] FairlyAnonymous 9 years ago

Okay, calm yourself.

His/her point is that since the book is such a huge element of the plot, regardless if the movie is about Brenden or not, his life's goal is completing the book, so yes, the contents of the book are important.

However, most people in Ireland, the British Isles, and Europe know what The Book of Kells is, the movie didn't have to explicitly state it. But for a North and South American audience it is a bit more confusing because the movie simply states "it is a cool picture book" without any explanation as to what it actually is.

Regardless if you are a Christian or not, it is a fault with the movie. What motivates Brenden to write the book? Why did any of the people care about that book? Because it was a Bible. Since the whole plot revolves around Brendon writing the book, it is VERY important to know what the book actually is.

As someone mentioned beforehand: Imagine a movie about the creation of the Sistine Chapel yet the movie never states what the Sistine Chapel actually is.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Yeah, everybody already knows what the Book of Kells is.

[–] uncleosbert 8 years ago

They even talk about sinners being blinded by the pages of the book. The religious subtext is all over the place: it just isn't overt. And frankly, the first thing I did when I watched this with my kids, was to show them pictures of the real Book of Kells and speak a bit about the gospels. We're not Christian but I want them to be educated and this actually makes a lovely introduction to the story of Christmas. It's sad that some feel this story is somehow diminishing Christianity because Jesus wasn't front and center in the narrative.

[–] imfedup13 11 years ago

When I first watched the movie I did not know what the Book of Kells was about.

But I gathered pretty easily and swiftly that it was Christian religious in some form since it was being worked on by a *Christian Monk*. So by natural assumption...it was probably some form of the Bible.

The movie did not have to tell me "Yo this is gots part of the bible." for me to understand that the BoK is Christian.

Maybe if a person cannot put two and two together to come up with their own solution it is not the fault of the movie but more a fault on their end. Clearly they would not be clever enough to come up with their own theory.

And for anyone who lacked the brain function to go "book by christian monks..must be a bible!" then a Google Search is just a click away. Hell half the world has a cellphone in their hands at any moment so they could google "Book of Kells" within 3 seconds.

It is really NOT that difficult of a situation.

Never in my whole time of watching the movie did I think the book was magical in any way. The eye of the pagan god? Yeah that was obviously magical. The fairy wolf girl? Yeah she was magical. The book? No it was just a book about the bible. And the fact that the boy was running around with fairies and defeating pagan gods whilst illustrating a Christian Book kind of drives home the whole THIS IS A FANTASY SITUATION theme.

I guess you have a problem with "suspension of disbelief."

[–] mousewiz 11 years ago

Just want to second this. I also had no idea that the Book of Kells was a thing until noticing this post. I also concluded very quickly that it was some form of the bible. It's not really something that needed mentioning.

http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=32504872

[–] lakealice 11 years ago

I agree that the fact that it is a Bible was left out to gain the widest audience possible. It didn't bother me, but it was a bit duplicitous, cynical, and "eye on the money" of the film-makers.
I understand that it would have been less entertaining if the Biblical part had been stressed.

[–] kendoka-azhrei 11 years ago

I really don't think that it was "left out" - more I think it was never there to begin with. The story wouldn't have been any richer for it's inclusion.

[–] Lamia7609 11 years ago

It's pretty obvious it's Christian. There is one scene with a crucifix and they are constantly talking about creating the Chi Rho page which is Christ in Greek. I think it blended the pagan and Christian aspects beautifully.

"Do not call the tortoise unworthy because she is not something else" -Whitman

[–] jonathanmarklund 10 years ago

It was Chrystal clear that it was a bible they where writing. What else would a bunch of monks write on the order of a saint?

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Sorry for the horrible english. I'm Swedish.

[–] dequace 10 years ago

Honestly, knowing nothing about this movie going in, it wasn't until the end that I realized that the book was meant to be religious. There are obviously religious undertones in the movie, but the connection didn't click for me until after the climax. I thought it was done very tastefully, though. I liked that it didn't directly state it for the viewer.. It was more subtle.

[–] The_Real_Celsus 10 years ago

Yeah it was way too obvious it was the Gosepls, it even rained crosses at one point. I stopped watching because it was too depressing watching another film about the wonderful destruction of pre-Christian Irish culture. Even noticed one person's post on here about blood thirsty celts. It would be nice to get some real hardcore celtic mythos for once.