Words Upon the Window Pane is a 1994 Irish drama film directed by Mary McGuckian and starring Geraldine Chaplin, Ian Richardson, and Jim Sheridan. McGuckian directorial debut, it is based on William Butler Yeats' one-act play of the same name. Pat O'Connor was billed to direct the project but he personally offered McGuckian, who was writing the screenplay at the time, the opportunity to also direct. The film received its US premiere on 10 June 1994 at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts as part of the largest retrospective of Irish film ever shown outside Ireland. In September that year, the film was screened at the 51st Venice International Film Festival. Premise In 1928 Dublin, during séances concerning Jonathan Swift, the spirits of his former lovers, Stella and Vanessa, emerge to resume their ancient quarrel. Cast Geraldine Chaplin as Miss McKenna Ian Richardson as Dr. Trench Jim Sheridan as Jonathan Swift/Dean Swift Geraldine James as Mrs. Henderson Orla Brady as Vanessa. John Lynch as John Corbet Gerard McSorley as Abraham Johnson Donal Donnelly as Cornelius Patterson Gemma Craven as Mrs. Mallet Brid Brennan as Stella Hugh O'Conor as Cabin boy References External links 1994 films Irish drama films Films set in the 1920s Irish films based on plays 1994 drama films Adaptations of works by W. B. Yeats 1994 directorial debut films 1990s English-language films