Brendan And The Secret Of Kells (2009) [* * * *]

This is a story about Ireland at the time of Viking attacks when the entire culture of the island was wiped out with its people. It's a book about the value of walls vs. living treasures in culture. The abbot of Kells is obsessed with fortification against the invaders. As refugees pour in, he pours his faith into the walls and won't let anyone work on writing books.

A young monk, Brendan, braves the forest and the Dark One to make ink and bring home a rare crystal to illustrate with. He makes friends with a fairy and learns to value creativity over brute strength because within minutes of the Norseman invasion, years of work on both gate and walls prove useless. The young Brendan escapes to write the Book of Kells. Nice story, great animation.:)