Ring of Bright Water (1969)

Whoever said dog is man's best friend never met Mij! Mij is a cute, cuddly pet shop otter who captures the heart of Graham Merill (Bill Travers). It doesn't take Graham long to realize that... See full summary »

Director:

Jack Couffer

Writers:

Jack Couffer (screenplay), Bill Travers (screenplay),

Stars:

Bill Travers, Virginia McKenna, Peter Jeffrey

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bill Travers	...	Graham Merrill
Virginia McKenna	...	Mary MacKenzie
Peter Jeffrey	...	Colin Wilcox
Jameson Clark	...	Storekeeper
Helena Gloag	...	Flora
Willie Joss	...	Lighthouse Keeper (as W. D. Joss)
Roddy McMillan	...	Busdriver
Jean Taylor Smith	...	Sarah (as Jean Taylor-Smith)
Christopher Benjamin	...	Fishmonger
Kevin Collins	...	Fisherman
Archie Duncan	...	Road mender
June Ellis	...	Barmaid
Philippa Gail	...	Pet stall girl
Tommy Godfrey	...	Ticket seller
Walter Hall

Storyline

Whoever said dog is man's best friend never met Mij! Mij is a cute, cuddly pet shop otter who captures the heart of Graham Merill (Bill Travers). It doesn't take Graham long to realize that London is no place to raise a slippery otter. So he takes Mij to live in a ramshackle cottage on the coast of Scotland. Together they set out to explore the curious and magnificent natural wonders that surround their seaside home--from orphaned geese to tooth-less sharks. While Mij spends his days frolicking in the icy cold sea, Graham finds himself falling in love with the beautiful town doctor, Mary (Virginia McKenna). Before long, the three become inseparable friends.

---

Plot Keywords:

otter | scotland | hebrides | independent film | based on book

---

Taglines:

The Stars of BORN FREE Shine Even Brigher

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

---

Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English Scottish Gaelic

Release Date:

21 December 1973 (East Germany)

Also Known As:

A Lontra Travessa

Filming Locations:

Easdale, Seil, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rank Organisation, The, Palomar Pictures International, Brightwater Film Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (as Colour by) (Technicolor) (as Technicolor®)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on the true story of Gavin Maxwell, who bought an otter in Iraq and brought it back to his home in Scotland, only to discover that this was a subspecies of otter not yet recorded. Maxwell gave his name to the new sub species' title: Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli.

---

Goofs

Shortly after moving into the cottage he heads off into the village. As he closes the otter flap he's wearing wellies. On the way down the hill he's in shoes, but when he arrives in the village he is back in welly boots.

---

Quotes

Fishmonger: [Graham is buying fish] You want any shark as well?
Graham Merrill: [Remembering his mistake] No, no shark at all!

---

Connections

Referenced in Flashbacks of a Fool (2008)

---

Soundtracks

"Ring of Bright Water"
(Title Song)
Sung by Val Doonican
Lyric by Betty Botley
Music by Frank Cordell (uncredited)

User Reviews

Positive, uplifting, getting-away-from-it-all kind of movie

If you ever feel like giving up the rat-race of the city life and a hectic job, see this film. Ring of Bright water is a getting-away-from-it-all kind of movie set in the Gaelic-speaking Western Isles of Scotland. The busy London professional decides to take a broken-down croft house, fix it up, write and be creative. He accomplishes all these things but finds the friendship and love of a woman and as well as a dear otter. There are some scenes with Gaelic dialog to add reality to the film. The bittersweet end will bring a tear to even the most hardened big-business type. Great movie for a rainy day or a cozy evening - positive, uplifting.