The Water Horse

I saw The Water Horse when it came out last Christmas. My reaction to it was that only the names have remained the same. Dick King-Smith's book is set in Scotland, but a decade or so earlier than the movie's setting, which is set during WWII. The book doesn't have the level of tension or drama that is in the movie, particularly regarding the safety of Crusoe (and that dog -- did it survive in the movie???). In what was probably an attempt to appeal more to boys, in the movie the younger brother Angus, played by Alex Etel (who also appeared in Millions) is made the main character, and his sister Kirstie plays a supporting role. Also the role of Grumble is gone, replaced by a good-looking iternant, thus providing a hint of romance for all the moms who accompany their kids to the movie. The movie was good, although a different kind of experience than the book. It has a more violence, and some more mature themes than the book. The DVD was released on April 8, 2008.