Waking Ned poster

1998·91 min·Released

Waking Ned

“How far would you go to win a fortune!”

Comedy

When a lottery winner dies of shock, his fellow townsfolk attempt to claim the money.

7.1(346 votes)

Popularity1

Videos

Waking Ned Devine (1998) Trailer

Cast & Crew

Ian Bannen

Ian Bannen

Jackie O'Shea

David Kelly

David Kelly

Michael O'Sullivan

Fionnula Flanagan

Fionnula Flanagan

Annie O'Shea

Susan Lynch

Susan Lynch

Maggie O'Toole

Brendan Dempsey

Brendan Dempsey

Jim Kelly

James Nesbitt

James Nesbitt

Pig Finn

Paul Vaughan

Paul Vaughan

Narrator (voice)

Maura O'Malley

Maura O'Malley

Mrs. Kennedy

Robert Hickey

Robert Hickey

Maurice O'Toole

Paddy Ward

Paddy Ward

Brendy O'Toole

James Ryland

James Ryland

Dennis Fitzgerald

Fintan McKeown

Fintan McKeown

Pat Mulligan

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Peter McGinn

Written on 9/16/2020

I know that no movie is perfect, but I am hard pressed to think of any criticism for this movie, known as Waking Ned Devine here in the U.S. Perhaps I will come up with a weakness by the time I finish writing this. This is a feel good movie from start to finish. Okay, a character dies at the beginning, but only right after he wins the lottery. They set up the action by introducing several characters and fill in background on them. Then the story itself is told simply and well. Kirk Jones wrote and directed the film, which apparently stated out to be a ten-minute short. Fortunately for all of us, he was encouraged to expand it to a full-length feature. It won or was nominated for a lot of awards. So,e actors agreed to be made less than usual to ensure the film got made, and I believe some people who lived where it was filmed (Isle of Man) took part also. Oddly enough, Jones still only has a handful of film writing credits. Before movies he made some very successful advertising commercials. In addition to being a funny, charming movie, the soundtrack is one of my favorites for a movie. The music sets the mood and even helps tell the story in places. Well, sorry, I guess I didn’t think of anything critical to say about Waking Ned (Devine).

CinemaSerf

Written on 7/7/2024

"Jackie" (Ian Bannen) has an ingenious way of getting his wife "Annie" (Fionnula Flanagan) to bring his ice cream to his armchair - he feigns a lottery win! That sets the tone for the rest of this light-hearted comedy as he discovers that one of their number has actually won over £6 millions. Now it's a tiny village, so together with his pal "Michael" (David Kelly) the three of them begin a process of elimination to discover the real winner. Nobody seems to be splashing the cash, though! The puzzle is finally solved when they clock that "Ned" hasn't been seen for a while. A trip to his house delivers sad news but an opportunity - if only they can convince the lottery man... This reminded me a little of the original "Whisky Galore" (1949) in that it presents a community with a chance to engage in some community mischief which is, of course, entirely fraudulent - but leaves you hoping that they get away with their plan. The pacing is almost perfect, Bannen and Kelly gel well together and there are a few daft sub-plots to help keep the film moving along nicely. I maybe wouldn't use a phone box there anytime soon, though!

Media

Waking Ned Devine (1998) Trailer

Waking Ned Devine (1998) Trailer