June 9, 2021

GKIDS UNBOXED: “The Secret of Kells”

Now available on Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack & Digital Download!

Old age has finally caught up with The Unboxer. After a series of disasters brought on by magical mishaps and harebrained hubris, our hero has settled down in the verdant hills of somewhere-or-other to live the quiet life of a GKIDS monk.

But for every lifestyle, there is a film to match, and our Unboxer has met his with Cartoon Saloon’s debut masterpiece, The Secret of Kells on Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack!

Check out the ancient GKIDS logo on that trailer. 👀

The first film in Tomm Moore’s Irish Folklore Trilogy— which culminated in 2020’s Wolfwalkers— The Secret of Kells is the debut feature film from award-winning Kilkenny, Ireland-based studio Cartoon Saloon. It marks the first feature-length film directed by Tomm Moore and Nora Twomey.

The film helped establish Cartoon Saloon, an unknown name at the time, as a visionary animation powerhouse in the international scene. It garnered the first Academy Award nomination for the studio, as well as for co-directors Tomm Moore and Nora Twomey.

The Secret of Kells is also a very special title for GKIDS. It marked the first of 12 Academy Award nominations for GKIDS, and was one of the first titles that GKIDS ever distributed when it opened in US theaters in 2010!

But enough reminiscing! Let’s get to the Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack itself. On the front we see some vibrant cover art with Aisling peaking through some leaves. Both discs include the English Audio in 5.1 surround sound and includes English, English SDH and Spanish subtitles.

Exclusive to the Blu-ray is an Audio commentary with co-directors Tomm Moore and  Nora Twomey and art director Ross Stewart. Also included is a Directors Presentation of Pre-Production Sketches and Images so you can get a taste of Ireland’s rich history and art that inspired the film.

Both discs include the Voices of Ireland featurette with the voice cast featuring Brendan Gleeson, Evan McGuire, Christen Mooney, and Mick Lally. You’ll also find bonus features like Pencil to Picture, which showcases early sketch animatics side by side with the finished product. Also included are bonuses such as Aisling at the Oscars, an early concept trailer and a theatrical trailer.

For a closer look at the Combo Pack and all its magical bonus content, take a look at the full episode of GKIDS Unboxed below. Don’t forget to like the video, subscribe to our channel, and ring that bell icon to be notified of every new upload from the GKIDS YouTube. See you next time!

 

P.S. Love the GKIDS coloring book page we show off in this video? You can print out your own here!

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The Secret of Kells is now available on Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack and Digital Download

Bonus Features:

  • Notes from the Master Illuminators: Audio Commentary with the Director, Co-Director, and Art Director**
  • The Voices of Ireland: Voice Recording Sessions with Brendan Gleeson, Evan McGuire, Christen Mooney, and Mick Lally
  • Director’s Presentation of Pre-Production Sketches and Inspirational Images**
  • Pencil to Picture
  • Early Concept Trailer
  • Aisling at the Oscars
  • Theatrical Trailer

**Blu-ray Exclusive

Not available outside of the US

Run Time

71 min

Aspect Ratio

1.78:1

Release Date

2009

Audio

English

Region

A/1

Rating

NR

Production Date

2019

Subtitles

English, English SDH, Spanish

AVAILABLE NOW

BLU-RAY/DVD

APPLE TV

PRIME VIDEO

GOOGLE PLAY

VUDU

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