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Combine medieval knights with some (relatively) grown-up Power Rangers, throw in dragons and two-headed dogs, and update the story with female and African American warriors, and you've got a politically correct fantasy for today's kids. This 85-minute movie is an outgrowth of the FoxKids half-hour television series. The four titular knights find their quests for custom-made armor laden with special powers constantly interrupted by the evil Queen Maeve, who is determined to wrest the kingdom from the king, father of female knight (and princess!) Deirdre. Filmed on location in Ireland and sportingcomputer-animated effects, this tale should appeal to the youngDungeons-and-Dragons male crowd, as well as young females looking for a more proactive role model than the traditional Arthurian maiden. --Kimberly Heinrichs ... Read more

Reviews (14)

this is a great collection of the knights' episodes!
although a kids' show, Mystic Knights of Tir-Na-Nog is a wonderful show for all ages. it combines ancient lore, celtic mythology, wonderful music and is filmed on location in ireland! the actors, especailly lochlann o'mearain and vincent walsh (rohan and angus), are wonderful at portraying thier characters. every episode is a freat adventure but this is an excellent introduction to the kingdom of Kells and the knights that fight for peace within the land.

I DON'T CARE WHAT ANYONE ELSE THINKS!
Nobody around here cares for these guys anymore than I and other admirers do. That's why I feel sorry for them. Saban probably didn't want nothing more to do with them after Lost Galaxy, so in August 1999, he took them off the air, right when Nemain, the "new" Queen of Temra, booted Maeve out of the Caste of Temra and took her throne.

Now what? How come there's been no word on when the legacy will continue? How come those bulls**t Digimon are the ONLY things that matter on Fox Kids TV? Look, I know sooner or later, you have to move on to the next best thing, but COME ON! Please take a note from the Pokémon. At least they're still on the air even with all those new episodes they've been putting out and whilst they've gone downhill thanks to the rotten Digimon. I still have all the action figures from last year. God forbid, if there were a Mystic Knight of Thunder, especially if it's a girl (my favorite Mystic Knight is Deirdre even though the whole cast is awesome), I'd LOVE to see that. I even have the video, which I've seen many times and even brings tears to my eyes at times knowing the obsession I've had with them and how I wish they were still on the air, even though it's only a TV show. It's nothing, though, compared to my obsession with Andrea Bocelli. You won't want to know how hard I've cried many nights just thinking about him.

And not even a movie yet? I see the Pokémon, Power Rangers, and Digimon getting big-screen movies, but then, that's because they're way more popular than these guys. The Powerpuff Girls might get one, too. Actually, I like two of the Powerpuff Girls, namely Blosson and Bubbles. It's getting late, so let me get out of here.

Aideen
Aideen is a fairy. Fairies are cool. Fairy, fairy, fairy. She could fit in my mouth. When she gets dirty, I can bathe her in my mouth. I would be careful, she would be o.k. And shiny clean!

Please release season one on DVD!!
My kids love this video and loved the series when it was on Fox. Unfortunately, we discovered the TV series towards the end of the season right before it was cancelled. My kids would love to watch the whole season one (they have watched this video countless times). Mystic knights is a fun video that doesn't take itself too seriously. The monsters aren't too scary, the heroes always win, and good values are somehow mixed in with the lot. There is of course a wizard, and valuation of powers not from God - a warning for those of you who find that offensive. But there is a good strong female character, and a black character who is very positively portrayed as a king's son who is trying to save his people.

This movie rocks! Yeah!
I love this movie, and the television show. The Mystic Knights are sooooo cool. I used to watch it every day after school, until they sadly, *sniff*, took it off the air. My friends and I used to have Mystic Knights parties and dress up as the characters. We then acted out the episode. Our favorite Mystic Knight is Angus. . .and Rohan, and Garrett( even though he isn't in the movie), and Deirdre. We are annoyed with Ivar because he always wears the same outfit, which is always the same color. It would be sooooo cool to have the entire series available for purchase. It should be on DVD. Yeah. Garrett's hair is cool! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The "fictionalized" version of the Veronica Guerin story
I am not alone in checking out "When the Sky Falls" after watching the Cate Blanchett film "Veronica Guerin" since the 2000 film is a "fictionalized" account of the same story of the Irish reporter who was assassinated by mobsters in 1996. The obvious question was why would director John Mackenzie turn the real Veronica Guerin into the fictional Sinead Hamilton (Joan Allen). I did not know the answer until I watched the featurette on the "When the Sky Falls" DVD.

Before her murder Veronica Guerin was collaborating with writing Michael Sheriden on early drafts of the screenplay. The idea was to tell a realistic story about the Dublin criminal underworld and at some point it became obvious that the story should be about a crime correspondent investigating the story; in other words, a character modeled on Guerin. However, the reporter insisted that her name not be used and even when she was murdered and the story of "When the Sky Falls" became her story, director John MacKenzie respected her wishes and kept the name change. The film was supposed to end with the reporter being honored for blowing the lid of the drug lords, but when Guerin was murdered the story by screenwriters Michael Sheridan and Ronan Gallagher changed to not only end with her death but explain why the mother of a young boy continued to investigate and write stories any being shot and repeatedly threatened.

The story is about a journalist doing writing exposés on the Dublin drug trade. One of her key sources, Mickey O'Fagan (Jimmy Smallhorne) is not to be trusted and Mackey (Patrick Bergin), the cop in charge of the investigation, is more than willing to break the rules to bring down the drug lord Dave Hackett (Gerard Flynn). However, what Mackey and the police think of Hamilton is not clear; it seems they run warm and cold on her. Then there is her husband, Tom (Kevin McNally), who knows it is pointless to try and stop her from doing her work, despite the danger, and the journalistic community that seems to be content to watch her from the sidelines.

The performances are also solid enough, not that we would ever expect anything less from Allen, who has a more sainted version of the character to play than Blanchett. That distinction emphasizes that the key difference between the two films is not the details of the story but the meaning ascribed to them. The bottom line is that this film was not as effective. Perhaps it is because I know the basics of the story and there are several key scenes in "When the Sky Falls" that we saw in "Veronica Guerin." Mackenzie made the neo-classic Brit mobster movie "The Long Good Friday" two decades earlier and this film has the appropriate look, but when you compare those scenes you find his approach is much quicker, the scenes more abbreviated, and the violence more subdued than in Joel Schumacher's 2003 film. There is a sense in which we are rushing through some of these scenes.

"Veronica Guerin" is a slicker film, which is not necessarily appropriate for the telling of this story, but "When the Sky Falls" fails to really take advantage of the grittier tack. You should check both of them out because you are not going to be able to go wrong with Allen or Blanchett in a leading role. Having seen both films my recommendation would be to watch "When the Sky Falls" first, not just because it came out first, but also because it is, to some degree, the fictional version and because I think it is the correct order for best appreciating the efforts of the two actresses.

Veronica Guerin by another name
2003 saw the extraordinary Cate Blanchett star in VERONICA GUERIN in the title role of the Irish investigative reporter for "The Sunday Independent" who ran afoul of Dublin's criminal underworld and was murdered on June 26, 1996. WHEN THE SKY FALLS, starring Joan Allen and released three years earlier, is a fictionalized version of the same story.

It would be difficult to choose between the two films. Allen and Blanchett are two of the best actresses in the business. The latter brought more effervescence - perhaps too much - to the role. The former ratchets the glamour of the Guerin persona down a notch to a more credible level. Indeed, for the purpose of the story, Allen takes on a fictional identity - Sinead Hamilton.

Key events in the efforts by Guerin/Hamilton to expose those behind Dublin's illegal drug traffic are common to both productions: the invasion of Guerin's home by a pistol wielding thug who shot her in the leg as a warning, her beating by the mobster John Gilligan - here named "Dave Hackett" (Gerard Flynn), and her fatal shooting by a couple of motorcycle riders while her cherry red sports car was stationary at a stoplight. WHEN THE SKY FALLS places greater emphasis on the emotional support provided by her husband, here played by Kevin McNally, while VERONICA GUERIN is a bit grittier in its depiction of heroin's effects on young addicts. Both movies provide an unsparing look at the violence employed by those controlling the drug trade, both show the importance of criminal informants to Guerin's/Hamilton's information gathering, and both portray the uneasy but ultimately symbiotic relationship the reporter had with local law enforcement.

If I was forced to pick my favorite of the two films, I guess I'd have to go with VERONICA GUERIN simply because I'm so smitten with Cate Blanchett. But both are eminently watchable, and both are a tribute to the quixotic bravery of the woman who paid the ultimate price.

It's About Time
The story is finally told. "When the Sky Falls" is a fact-based drama of the events surrounding the high profile murder of crime reporter Veronica Guerin in Ireland in 1996. In the movie, Joan Allen plays Sinead Hamilton, a reporter for a Dublin newspaper (the names are changed, probably because of strict Irish libel laws). Hamilton probes Dublin's underworld, writing stories about the city's growing drug epidemic and in particular about a powerful drug lord named Hackett. As one might expect, Hackett (whose real name is John Gilligan) and his cronies are not pleased with Hamilton's exposure of their criminal activities. Hamilton soon becomes the target of intimidation and violence. Unwilling to be silenced, she continues to speak out against Hackett despite the danger to herself. Ultimately, she puts her life on the line for her devotion to the truth. Who would have thought that this would happen in a "safe" European country like Ireland? "When the Sky Falls" is a gritty and unblinking study of Guerin, the people out to stop her, and Dublin's drug problem. Allen does a respectable job portraying Guerin alias Hamilton, a reporter, wife, and mother risking her life for a just cause. Patrick Bergin also appears in the movie. He plays an unorthodox Garda (Irish police) detective who helps Hamilton and is determined to put Hackett away. Again, another good performance. This movie is a must see for people who like crime dramas or those who want know the full story of Veronica Guerin and her sacrifice. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

A good look at Ireland and Irish Mothers
I was surprised to see a few reviewers on this site bashing the movie. I agree it has a slow pace to it, but the supurb acting by O'Hara makes it a memorable film. She should have gotten an academy award for this role.
I really enjoyed this film and I just bought a used copy. Don't expect a fast paced slapstick comedy and you won't be dissapointed.

Summer Fling = Summer FLOP.
I cannot even begin to illustrate how tiringly bored I became throughout watching this movie. I actually stopped it and took breaks from it before actually watching the whole thing. Let's get the basics out of the way: Frankie (Jared Leto) has just gotten out of high school, and is doomed to a summer of anxiousness and worry as he counts down the days until his final test results arrive, as these test results basically decide his immediate future for him. His father (Gabriel Byrne) is an "actor," but more so, a limp father who has about 0% of an influence on his five children, as he is always away, trying to get the part that never seems to come to him. His mother (Catherine O'Hara) is a few cans short of a six pack, and extremely prejudiced, narrow-minded, and ignorant -- and not even in a FUNNY way, just that annoying, unbelievable way. Now that we have the characters out of the way, it's due time to get into the plot, the only problem is, there isn't one. Perhaps the makers of this movie wanted it to be boring, drab, wimpy, and bleak (I highly doubt it, though), in which case, this movie is a wonderful accomplishment. On the other hand, if they wanted it to be anything but, then they really have some explaining to do. As Frankie waits for his test results, he also scopes the two girls that he went to school with from afar, only hoping to be lucky enough to hold a conversation with either one of them, as he hasn't quite decided yet which one he likes (apparently, either will do). Meanwhile, a friend of Frankie's father, Erin (Christina Ricci) ends up staying at their house for a couple of days for one reason or another (they never really gave one). Frankie's mother is adamant about forcing Frankie to take Erin out and show her a good time, as Frankie seems he would rather be caught dead than with Erin. He does take her out, though, and, after she embarrasses herself on a bus for him, no thanks to Frankie and the two girls from his school that he is after, he still doesn't give her the time of day. From here, you can almost empathize with Frankie and his anxieties swarming within his last summer of freedom, but not after he becomes a fickle, manipulative, apathetic jerk in his last scene with Erin. From here, the movie just gets even slower, and even more hard to swallow. Best of luck in trying to figure out what the hell the point of the movie was, or even the actual plot of this movie, once it's finally over.

The accents were wonderful, completely believable. Catherine O'Hara did a wonderful job playing a clueless, controlling, witch of a mother. Jared Leto plays his character wonderfully, but I don't think anyone would have a hard time playing a boring, quiet, girl-crazy teenager. Gabriel Byrne was in the movie for a total of about fifteen minutes if you paste all of his scenes together, and the same goes for Christina Ricci. Obviously, Summer Fling felt it necessary to market itself with as many big names as possible, even if these big names don't even account for 1/4 of the movie.. perhaps they knew how unintriguing the storyline actually is.

If you're considering renting this movie, DON'T. See when it'll be on television and try to enjoy it then (good luck). I'm sure some of you will find this review a bit confusing, but if you had a hard time with this review, then you'll definitely have a hard time with Summer Flop, err.. Summer Fling.

Summer of Love, Exams and Elvis!!
A summer in Ireland where anythings possible. Set in Ireland I was amazed by the quality of the actors accents. Jared Leto and Cathrine O'Hara being American I thought they sounded like natural irish folk. Christina Ricci only had a small role but it was memorable as the American gal who cheerleads and tries to seduce Jared Leto. The family brawls and the love of politics make Summer Fling a funny and dramatic look at life after school exams and the summer counting down the days to your results. Well worth a watch!!

Unique Coming of Age
After I graduated from high school, I was wishing I could find a movie or a book that dealt with the unique emotions of standing at a precipice in your life--between childhood, and the real world.

"Summer Fling" hit the spot! It is one of the rare movies out there that actually deal with this time in life that no one else seems to portray.

Jared Leto is excellent in his role as Frankie, the eldest sibling in his eccentric brood. A kind, seemingly-average boy whose unsure of himself and the future, he experiences mixed emotions the summer after school. Gabriel Byrne and Catherine O'Hara also fit their roles perfectly as his unconventional but loving parents.

Christina Ricci's character is small but very memorable--an American who stays at Frankie's house for a couple of days, and falls for him, despite the fact that he doesn't like her. Her last words to him: " Where I come from, you tell someone if you like them, and even if they don't like you back, they don't treat you like a moron", leaves an indelible impression on Frankie.

Towards the end, Frankie talks to his father and his father tells him: "The world is waiting for you". Frankie responds: "I think it's a little too much."

This is a great movie for anyone out there who is also coming of age. It's a small movie you shouldn't miss!

A terrible waste of my time!
This movie was a terrible movie. It was so boring. I couldn't believe that it was such a dull movie. It looked so good on the cover. They had to get got actors to lessen the blow of this rather complicated film. It didn't even make sense. Christina Ricci's character shouldn't have been in there. She didn't do anything except embarrasse herself on the bus. The accents were the only good thing about it. They did a good job with that. Don't waste your time!!! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The "fictionalized" version of the Veronica Guerin story
I am not alone in checking out "When the Sky Falls" after watching the Cate Blanchett film "Veronica Guerin" since the 2000 film is a "fictionalized" account of the same story of the Irish reporter who was assassinated by mobsters in 1996. The obvious question was why would director John Mackenzie turn the real Veronica Guerin into the fictional Sinead Hamilton (Joan Allen). I did not know the answer until I watched the featurette on the "When the Sky Falls" DVD.

Before her murder Veronica Guerin was collaborating with writing Michael Sheriden on early drafts of the screenplay. The idea was to tell a realistic story about the Dublin criminal underworld and at some point it became obvious that the story should be about a crime correspondent investigating the story; in other words, a character modeled on Guerin. However, the reporter insisted that her name not be used and even when she was murdered and the story of "When the Sky Falls" became her story, director John MacKenzie respected her wishes and kept the name change. The film was supposed to end with the reporter being honored for blowing the lid of the drug lords, but when Guerin was murdered the story by screenwriters Michael Sheridan and Ronan Gallagher changed to not only end with her death but explain why the mother of a young boy continued to investigate and write stories any being shot and repeatedly threatened.

The story is about a journalist doing writing exposés on the Dublin drug trade. One of her key sources, Mickey O'Fagan (Jimmy Smallhorne) is not to be trusted and Mackey (Patrick Bergin), the cop in charge of the investigation, is more than willing to break the rules to bring down the drug lord Dave Hackett (Gerard Flynn). However, what Mackey and the police think of Hamilton is not clear; it seems they run warm and cold on her. Then there is her husband, Tom (Kevin McNally), who knows it is pointless to try and stop her from doing her work, despite the danger, and the journalistic community that seems to be content to watch her from the sidelines.

The performances are also solid enough, not that we would ever expect anything less from Allen, who has a more sainted version of the character to play than Blanchett. That distinction emphasizes that the key difference between the two films is not the details of the story but the meaning ascribed to them. The bottom line is that this film was not as effective. Perhaps it is because I know the basics of the story and there are several key scenes in "When the Sky Falls" that we saw in "Veronica Guerin." Mackenzie made the neo-classic Brit mobster movie "The Long Good Friday" two decades earlier and this film has the appropriate look, but when you compare those scenes you find his approach is much quicker, the scenes more abbreviated, and the violence more subdued than in Joel Schumacher's 2003 film. There is a sense in which we are rushing through some of these scenes.

"Veronica Guerin" is a slicker film, which is not necessarily appropriate for the telling of this story, but "When the Sky Falls" fails to really take advantage of the grittier tack. You should check both of them out because you are not going to be able to go wrong with Allen or Blanchett in a leading role. Having seen both films my recommendation would be to watch "When the Sky Falls" first, not just because it came out first, but also because it is, to some degree, the fictional version and because I think it is the correct order for best appreciating the efforts of the two actresses.

Veronica Guerin by another name
2003 saw the extraordinary Cate Blanchett star in VERONICA GUERIN in the title role of the Irish investigative reporter for "The Sunday Independent" who ran afoul of Dublin's criminal underworld and was murdered on June 26, 1996. WHEN THE SKY FALLS, starring Joan Allen and released three years earlier, is a fictionalized version of the same story.

It would be difficult to choose between the two films. Allen and Blanchett are two of the best actresses in the business. The latter brought more effervescence - perhaps too much - to the role. The former ratchets the glamour of the Guerin persona down a notch to a more credible level. Indeed, for the purpose of the story, Allen takes on a fictional identity - Sinead Hamilton.

Key events in the efforts by Guerin/Hamilton to expose those behind Dublin's illegal drug traffic are common to both productions: the invasion of Guerin's home by a pistol wielding thug who shot her in the leg as a warning, her beating by the mobster John Gilligan - here named "Dave Hackett" (Gerard Flynn), and her fatal shooting by a couple of motorcycle riders while her cherry red sports car was stationary at a stoplight. WHEN THE SKY FALLS places greater emphasis on the emotional support provided by her husband, here played by Kevin McNally, while VERONICA GUERIN is a bit grittier in its depiction of heroin's effects on young addicts. Both movies provide an unsparing look at the violence employed by those controlling the drug trade, both show the importance of criminal informants to Guerin's/Hamilton's information gathering, and both portray the uneasy but ultimately symbiotic relationship the reporter had with local law enforcement.

If I was forced to pick my favorite of the two films, I guess I'd have to go with VERONICA GUERIN simply because I'm so smitten with Cate Blanchett. But both are eminently watchable, and both are a tribute to the quixotic bravery of the woman who paid the ultimate price.

It's About Time
The story is finally told. "When the Sky Falls" is a fact-based drama of the events surrounding the high profile murder of crime reporter Veronica Guerin in Ireland in 1996. In the movie, Joan Allen plays Sinead Hamilton, a reporter for a Dublin newspaper (the names are changed, probably because of strict Irish libel laws). Hamilton probes Dublin's underworld, writing stories about the city's growing drug epidemic and in particular about a powerful drug lord named Hackett. As one might expect, Hackett (whose real name is John Gilligan) and his cronies are not pleased with Hamilton's exposure of their criminal activities. Hamilton soon becomes the target of intimidation and violence. Unwilling to be silenced, she continues to speak out against Hackett despite the danger to herself. Ultimately, she puts her life on the line for her devotion to the truth. Who would have thought that this would happen in a "safe" European country like Ireland? "When the Sky Falls" is a gritty and unblinking study of Guerin, the people out to stop her, and Dublin's drug problem. Allen does a respectable job portraying Guerin alias Hamilton, a reporter, wife, and mother risking her life for a just cause. Patrick Bergin also appears in the movie. He plays an unorthodox Garda (Irish police) detective who helps Hamilton and is determined to put Hackett away. Again, another good performance. This movie is a must see for people who like crime dramas or those who want know the full story of Veronica Guerin and her sacrifice. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

this is a great collection of the knights' episodes!
although a kids' show, Mystic Knights of Tir-Na-Nog is a wonderful show for all ages. it combines ancient lore, celtic mythology, wonderful music and is filmed on location in ireland! the actors, especailly lochlann o'mearain and vincent walsh (rohan and angus), are wonderful at portraying thier characters. every episode is a freat adventure but this is an excellent introduction to the kingdom of Kells and the knights that fight for peace within the land.

I DON'T CARE WHAT ANYONE ELSE THINKS!
Nobody around here cares for these guys anymore than I and other admirers do. That's why I feel sorry for them. Saban probably didn't want nothing more to do with them after Lost Galaxy, so in August 1999, he took them off the air, right when Nemain, the "new" Queen of Temra, booted Maeve out of the Caste of Temra and took her throne.

Now what? How come there's been no word on when the legacy will continue? How come those bulls**t Digimon are the ONLY things that matter on Fox Kids TV? Look, I know sooner or later, you have to move on to the next best thing, but COME ON! Please take a note from the Pokémon. At least they're still on the air even with all those new episodes they've been putting out and whilst they've gone downhill thanks to the rotten Digimon. I still have all the action figures from last year. God forbid, if there were a Mystic Knight of Thunder, especially if it's a girl (my favorite Mystic Knight is Deirdre even though the whole cast is awesome), I'd LOVE to see that. I even have the video, which I've seen many times and even brings tears to my eyes at times knowing the obsession I've had with them and how I wish they were still on the air, even though it's only a TV show. It's nothing, though, compared to my obsession with Andrea Bocelli. You won't want to know how hard I've cried many nights just thinking about him.

And not even a movie yet? I see the Pokémon, Power Rangers, and Digimon getting big-screen movies, but then, that's because they're way more popular than these guys. The Powerpuff Girls might get one, too. Actually, I like two of the Powerpuff Girls, namely Blosson and Bubbles. It's getting late, so let me get out of here.

Aideen
Aideen is a fairy. Fairies are cool. Fairy, fairy, fairy. She could fit in my mouth. When she gets dirty, I can bathe her in my mouth. I would be careful, she would be o.k. And shiny clean!

Please release season one on DVD!!
My kids love this video and loved the series when it was on Fox. Unfortunately, we discovered the TV series towards the end of the season right before it was cancelled. My kids would love to watch the whole season one (they have watched this video countless times). Mystic knights is a fun video that doesn't take itself too seriously. The monsters aren't too scary, the heroes always win, and good values are somehow mixed in with the lot. There is of course a wizard, and valuation of powers not from God - a warning for those of you who find that offensive. But there is a good strong female character, and a black character who is very positively portrayed as a king's son who is trying to save his people.

This movie rocks! Yeah!
I love this movie, and the television show. The Mystic Knights are sooooo cool. I used to watch it every day after school, until they sadly, *sniff*, took it off the air. My friends and I used to have Mystic Knights parties and dress up as the characters. We then acted out the episode. Our favorite Mystic Knight is Angus. . .and Rohan, and Garrett( even though he isn't in the movie), and Deirdre. We are annoyed with Ivar because he always wears the same outfit, which is always the same color. It would be sooooo cool to have the entire series available for purchase. It should be on DVD. Yeah. Garrett's hair is cool! ... Read more