''Skellig'' (also known as ''Skellig: The Owl Man'') is a 2009 British

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction that involves supernatural or Magic (supernatural), magical elements, often including Fictional universe, imaginary places and Legendary creature, creatures. The genre's roots lie in oral traditions, ...

television film A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie, telefilm, telemovie or TV film/movie, is a film with a running time similar to a feature film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a Terrestr ...

directed by

Annabel Jankel Annabel Jankel (born 1 June 1955), also known as AJ Jankel, is a British film and TV director who first came to prominence as a music video director and the co-creator of the pioneering cyber-character Max Headroom and as co-director of the fil ...

and starring

Tim Roth Timothy Simon Roth (; born 14 May 1961) is an English actor. He was among a group of prominent British actors known as the " Brit Pack". After garnering attention in television productions '' Made in Britain'' (1982) and '' Meantime'' (1983), ...

in the title role. The

screenplay A screenplay, or script, is a written work produced for a film, television show (also known as a '' teleplay''), or video game by screenwriters (cf. ''stage play''). Screenplays can be original works or adaptations from existing pieces of w ...

by Irena Brignull is based on

David Almond David Almond (born 15 May 1951) is a British author who has written many novels for children's literature, children and young adult fiction, young adults from 1998, each one receiving critical acclaim. He is one of thirty children's writers, and ...

's novel of the

same name ''Same Name'' is an American reality television series in which an average person swaps lives with a celebrity of the same first and last name. It premiered on July 24, 2011 on CBS. The series received low ratings, and CBS pulled it after four-ep ...

Plot

Secondary school student Michael Cooper moves to a decrepit house, with his parents and baby sister. There, she suffers a heart condition and is sent to the hospital. Michael investigates the dilapidated garden shed and meets Skellig, a man with owl wings. Michael befriends a girl named Mina, who is equally intrigued by Skellig. When the couple argue about moving away, Michael brings Skellig outside and Dave burns the shed. Michael and Mina take Skellig to a tall tower, where Skellig reveals his magical ability. The condition of the girl worsens and Michael frequently visits the hospital, where he meets a dying woman named Grace. Encouraged by Michael, Skellig allegedly visits the hospital to save the girl, whom Michael and his parents named Grace Joy. Some time later, Skellig spends time with Michael and Mina.

Cast

as Skellig *

Bill Milner William Henry Milner (born 4 March 1995) is an English actor. He starred as Will Proudfoot in '' Son of Rambow'' (2007), Edward in ''Is Anybody There?'' (2008), and the young Erik Lensherr in '' X-Men: First Class'' (2011). Early life William ...

as Michael Cooper * Skye Bennett as Mina *

Kelly Macdonald Kelly Macdonald (born 23 February 1976) is a Scottish actress. Known for her performances on film and television, she has received various accolades including a BAFTA Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards. Macdona ...

as Louise *

John Simm John Ronald Simm (born 10 July 1970) is an English actor, director, and musician. He is best known for playing Sam Tyler in ''Life on Mars'', the Master in ''Doctor Who,'' and DS Roy Grace in ''Grace.'' His other television credits include '' ...

as Dave * Jermaine Allen as Leakey *

Edna Doré Edna Lillian Doré (''née'' Gorring; 31 May 1921 – 11 April 2014) was a British actress. She was known for her bit-part roles in sitcoms and for playing the character of Mo Butcher in ''EastEnders'' from 1988 to 1990. Career Doré began h ...

as Grace * Eros Vlahos as Coot *

Alexander Armstrong Alexander Henry Fenwick Armstrong (born 2 March 1970) is an English actor, comedian, radio personality, television presenter, singer and farmer. He is the host of the BBC One game show ''Pointless'', and is a weekday morning-show presenter on C ...

as Mr. Hunt *

Navin Chowdhry Navin Chowdhry (born 22nd November 1971 ) is an English actor. He is best known for his roles in ''Teachers'' and '' A Touch of Cloth'', and his role as Nish Panesar in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'' (2022–2025). Early life Chowdhry is o ...

as Mr. Watson * Nickie Rainsford as Mina's mother *

Tameka Empson Tameka Lydia Empson (born 15 April 1977) is an English actress and comedian. She appeared as one of the three protagonists in the hidden-camera comedy sketch show ''3 Non-Blondes''. In 2009, she began portraying the role of Kim Fox in the BBC O ...

as Nurse #1 * Lisa Zahra as Nurse #2 * Corey Brown as Schoolboy

Production

The film was part of

Sky 1 Sky One was a British pay television channel operated and owned by Sky Group (a division of Comcast). Originally launched on 26 April 1982 as Satellite Television, it was Europe's first satellite and non- terrestrial channel. From 31 July 1989, ...

's plan to invest £10 million in producing three new high-definition dramas. Filming began in

Caerphilly Caerphilly (, ; , ) is a town and community (Wales), community in Wales. It is situated at the southern end of the Rhymney Valley and separated from the Cardiff suburbs of Lisvane and Rhiwbina by Caerphilly Mountain. It is north of Cardiff an ...

on 2 September 2008, with scenes shot in

Cardiff Cardiff (; ) is the capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of Wales. Cardiff had a population of in and forms a Principal areas of Wales, principal area officially known as the City and County of Ca ...

Wales Wales ( ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by the Irish Sea to the north and west, England to the England–Wales border, east, the Bristol Channel to the south, and the Celtic ...

. Roth joined the cast for the film. It was written by Brignull and directed by Jankel. The film aired on Sky 1 on 12 April 2009.

Awards

* Won - ''Cinekid Film Award - Honorable Mention'' * Nominated - ''

RTS Television Award The Royal Television Society (RTS) is a British-based educational charity for the discussion, and analysis of television in all its forms, past, present, and future. It is the oldest television society in the world. It currently has fourteen r ...

'' for Best Effects in Picture Enhancement * Nominated - ''RTS Television Award'' for Best Effects in Special Effects * Nominated - ''RTS Television Award'' for Best Make-Up Design * Nominated - '' VES Awards'' for Outstanding Visual Effects in a Broadcast Mini-Series or Series * Nominated - ''PI.CA'' for Everything

Notes

External links

* {{Sky1 2009 films 2009 television films 2000s British films 2000s coming-of-age films 2000s English-language films 2000s fantasy drama films British drama television films British coming-of-age films British fantasy drama films British fantasy television films Films based on British novels Films based on children's books Films directed by Annabel Jankel Films shot in Wales Magic realism films Sky UK television dramas