Songcatcher
“Fall under its spell..”
Synopsis
After being denied a promotion at the university where she teaches, Doctor Lily Penleric, a brilliant musicologist, impulsively visits her sister, who runs a struggling rural school in Appalachia. There she stumbles upon the discovery of her life - a treasure trove of ancient Scots-Irish ballads, songs that have been handed down from generation to generation, preserved intact by the seclusion of the mountains. With the goal of securing her promotion, Lily ventures into the most isolated areas of the mountains to collect the songs and finds herself increasingly enchanted.
Top Cast
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Janet McTeer
Professor Lily Penleric, PhD
Michael Goodwin
Professor Wallace Aldrich, PhD
Gregory Russell Cook
Fate Honeycutt
Jane Adams
Eleanor 'Elna' Penleric
E. Katherine Kerr
Harriet Tolliver
Emmy Rossum
Deladis Slocumb
Pat Carroll
Viney Butler
Stephanie Roth Haberle
Alice Kincaid
Aidan Quinn
Tom Bledsoe
Bart Hansard
Hilliard
Erin Blake Clanton
Polly
David Patrick Kelly
Earl Giddens
Kristin Hall
Isabel
Michael Harding
Reese Kincaid
Taj Mahal
Dexter Speaks
Iris DeMent
Rose Gentry
Rhoda Griffis
Clementine McFarland
Michael Davis
Dean Arthur Pembroke
Release History & Theatrical Window
Sundance Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
June 15, 2001
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Maggie Greenwald
- Screenplay & Story
- Maggie Greenwald
- Original Score
- David Mansfield
- Original Title
- Songcatcher
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 49m
- Production Studios
- Rigas Entertainment, ErgoArts
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Maggie Greenwald
Maggie Greenwald
David Mansfield
Enrique Chediak
Keith Reamer
Richard Miller, Ellen Rigas-Venetis, Caroline Kaplan, Jonathan Sehring
Department Leadership Roster
Maggie Greenwald
Director
Maggie Greenwald
Writer
David Mansfield
Original Music Composer
Enrique Chediak
Director of Photography
Keith Reamer
Editor
Ginger Tougas
Production Design
Kasia Walicka Maimone
Costume Design
Richard Miller
Producer
Ellen Rigas-Venetis
Producer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
PG-13: Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.
International Certification Matrix
Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Songcatcher.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Songcatcher.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Songcatcher
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Songcatcher about?
After being denied a promotion at the university where she teaches, Doctor Lily Penleric, a brilliant musicologist, impulsively visits her sister, who runs a struggling rural school in Appalachia. There she stumbles upon the discovery of her life - a treasure trove of ancient Scots-Irish ballads, songs that have been handed down from generation to generation, preserved intact by the seclusion of the mountains. With the goal of securing her promotion, Lily ventures into the most isolated areas of the mountains to collect the songs and finds herself increasingly enchanted.
Who directed Songcatcher?
Songcatcher was directed by Maggie Greenwald.
Who stars in Songcatcher?
The principal cast of Songcatcher includes Janet McTeer, Michael Goodwin, Gregory Russell Cook, Jane Adams, E. Katherine Kerr.
When was Songcatcher released and how long is it?
Songcatcher was released in 2001 with a total runtime of 1h 49m.
Who composed the musical score for Songcatcher?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Songcatcher was composed by David Mansfield.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Songcatcher?
Songcatcher holds official age classifications: US: PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.).