the sea, where he brings out a lifeless Ollie. After performing CPR, Ollie comes round. The superintendent calls off the hunt for the boys. After that, Papa Rielly finally burns his Barrel Wagon, and puts his Wife's memory to rest. The boys see Tir Na Nogs image in the flames, and smile. Cast Gabriel Byrne as Papa Reilly Ellen Barkin as Kathleen Ciarán Fitzgerald as Ossie Rúaidhrí Conroy as Tito (credited as Ruaidhrí Conroy) David Kelly as Grandfather Johnny Murphy as Tracker Colm Meaney as Barreller John Kavanagh as Hartnett Brendan Gleeson as Inspector Bolger Jim Norton as Superintendent O'Mara Anita Reeves as Mrs. Murphy Ray McBride as Mr. Murphy Dave Duffy as Morrissey Stuart Dannell-Foran as Conor Murphy (credited as Stuart Dannell) Becca Hollinshead as Birdy Murphy Production The script was written by Jim Sheridan, who did not intend to write simply for children, although the film mainly follows two young children on the run with their beautiful, magical white horse. Other themes targeted to adults, are also present: grief, the clash of cultures with differing values, and the use of the police by the rich and powerful to enforce property rights in their favour. Sheridan wrote the script five years before he directed My Left Foot. Gabriel Byrne said it was one of the best scripts he ever read, and described it at the time as Jim Sheridan's best work to date. Byrne was committed to the work, he said; Apart from it being a story about Travellers, and the relationship between a father and his two sons, it really was in a way about Ireland. Ellen Barkin said that from the first reading she thought it an extraordinary piece of film writing. The movie's most memorable scenes, such as the horse in the cinema and the beans exploding, were shot in the small town of Portarlington in County Laois. Reception The film has received a mostly positive critical reception. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a score of 77% based on reviews from 13 critics. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times said the "kids will probably love this movie, but adults will get a lot more out of it". Variety Staff said that "Into the West is a likable but modest pic", and that "a major asset throughout is Patrick Doyle's rich, Gaelic-flavoured scoring that carries the movie's emotional line and fairy tale atmosphere. Desson Howe of