FAQ

Shy 8-year old orphan Tomás (John Bell) is chosen for adoption by Maire O'Donnell (Connie Nielsen), an outgoing Irishwoman who loves color. It is instant affection between Tomás and Maire, and Tomás thrives under Maire's care on Corrie Island (in Northwest Ireland). However, Maire's husband Alec (Aidan Quinn), whom she refers to as 'himself', would have liked an older, more outgoing son, and Tomás needs Alec's signature on the adoption papers in order to stay on Corrie Island.

A Shine of Rainbows (1984) is also a novel by British author Lillian Beckwith [1916-2004]. The novel was adapted for the screen by Indian-born (now Canadian/American) film-maker Vic Sarin (who also directed the movie) along with Catherine Spear and Dennis Foon.

The year is 1963 Ireland.

Most of the movie was filmed at Malin Head on the Inishowen Peninsula, the extreme northern tip of County Donegal, Ireland. The orphanage scenes were filmed in an old hospital in Letterkenny.

The Fingal stone was made for the movie, although the director admits that people came from all over to photograph him (and perhaps ask him to grant a worthy wish) during the filming of the movie. Look closely, and you can see King Fingal's face looking back at you.

Fingal is the name given to Fionn (or Finn) mac Cumhaill, the king of the Fianna (aka Fenians), as retold in the Poems of Ossian (1765), written by Scottish poet James Macpherson [1736-1796]. Fionn mac Cumhaill (anglicised to Finn McCool) was a hunter-warrior in Gaelic (Irish and Scottish) mythology. Fionn is often described as a giant, and many geographical features in Ireland are attributed to him.

No. Seal pups are protected, so taking a seal pup from its mother to use in a film would not be allowed. Smudge was a mechanical device, designed to look and 'act' like a real seal pup. The making of Smudge can be seen in an extra feature called So Many Colours on the DVD.

'Early in the Morning', performed by The Henry Girls and Keith Power. The song in its entirety can heard at the end of the movie, as the credits roll.

Some people mourn the passing of a loved one by saving everything they left behind as reminders. Others, like Alec, remove the reminders so that they don't have to see them.

In the morning, Tomás packs to leave the island, but first he must set Smudge free. He takes Smudge on the boat in Fingal's hideaway and goes out into the bay. Alec awakens from his drinking binge and realizes that Tomás is gone. Alec runs down to the water and sees Tomás out in the bay, the waves crashing high around him. Alec goes out after Tomás but Tomás' boat suddenly overturns. Tomás starts to sink. Alec screams, 'No!' and goes after him as do the seals. Alec finds Tomás lying on the rocks and revives him. Tomás says that the seals were sent by Maire. Alec agrees with him and takes Tomás home for breakfast. As Tomás sets the table, Alec notes that the table is too drab, so Tomás pulls out the tablecloth that he bought for Maire from the old lady. Tomás asks Alec when he's going to return to the orphanage, knowing that Alec did not sign the adoption papers. Alec replies that he won't sign the papers without Tomás' permission. 'Do you want to go back to the orphanage?' Alec asks Tomás, and Tomás replies with a resounding, 'No!' 'Then you won't go,' says Alec, while signing the papers. Seamus and Nancy come over and ask Tomás whether he'd like to go fishing with them. Tomás replies, 'First I have to ask my dad.' In the final scene, Tomás tells the seals that Alec is his dad and waves to 'himself' on a cliff. Alec waves back with Maire's red handkerchief, which breaks free from his hand and goes fluttering down to the water.