Loch Ness (1996)

A scientist tries to prove the existence of the Loch Ness monster.

Director:

John Henderson

Writer:

John Fusco

Stars:

Ted Danson, Joely Richardson, Ian Holm

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ted Danson	...	Dempsey
Joely Richardson	...	Laura
Ian Holm	...	Water Bailiff
Harris Yulin	...	Dr. Mercer
James Frain	...	Adrian Foote
Keith Allen	...	Gordon Shoals
Nick Brimble	...	Andy Maclean
Kirsty Graham	...	Isabel
Harry Jones	...	Wee Wullie
Philip O'Brien	...	Dr. Abernathy
Joseph Greig	...	Guideon
John Dair	...	Macleish
John Verea	...	Tow Truck Driver
Debora Weston	...	Dr. Hunter (as Deborah Weston)
Wolf Kahler	...	Dr. Muller

Storyline

Dr. Dempsey, an American scientist who has become a skeptic after a disastrous wrong call, isn't exactly enthusiastic to be sent by his well-funded employer to Scotland to (dis)prove the existence of the Loch Ness monster, but has no choice. He finds the locals stubborn, 'primitive' and all but hospitable, not in the least because the Nessie legend is the only tourist attraction, but still gets romantically attracted by his independent inn-keeper Laura, and both her kid and his enthusiastic local assistant end up making him face a small family of Nessie-dinosaurs, but is this to be made public?

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Plot Keywords:

scientist | monster | loch ness | loch ness monster | loch | 

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Taglines:

Believe and you will see.

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Fantasy | Mystery

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language, mild sensuality and a fist fight

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 September 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

El misterio de Loch Ness

Filming Locations:

Bracknell, Berkshire, England, UK

Box Office

Gross:

£1,239,343 (UK) (23 February 1996)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Polygram Filmed Entertainment, Working Title Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was originally intended for theatrical release. However it aired on network television in the U.S. before it was released in theaters.

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Goofs

In the outdoor village scenes seaweed can be clearly seen, this indicates that they were shot next to tidal sea water. Loch Ness is a fresh water loch and hence has no seaweed.

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Quotes

Dr. Mercer: I want you to not find the monster. I want you to use state of the art equipment to prove that it's not there.

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Connections

Referenced in Frank Skinner Live in Birmingham (1998)

User Reviews

There's Some Things That Are Meant To Be Left Alone.

Loch Ness is directed by John Henderson and written by John Fusco. It stars Ted Danson, Joely Richardson, Ian Holm, Kirsty Graham and James Frain. Music is scored by Trevor Jones and cinematography is by Clive Tickner. Plot sees Danson as Zoologist Jonathan Dempsey, who has now become something of a joke in his field after a failed "beastie hunt" for the Yeti. In the last chance saloon, he's packed off by his superiors to debunk the Loch Ness Monster legend, where hardly enthused anyway, he finds a small community unwelcome to his being there. After finally booking into a small inn run by single mother Laura McFetridge (Richardson) Dempsey forms a warm relationship with Laura's nine year old daughter, Isabel (Graham), who just may hold the key to the mystery of Loch Ness.

Once it was made available for viewing it struggled to gain any significant support, both by critics and film fans alike. Caught in the 1990's creature feature slipstream created by Jurassic Park, hopes were high for a very different type of Loch Ness Monster movie. Nobody, except for the film makers, were quite prepared for what type of film Loch Ness is. Henderson's film is a human interest story first and foremost, one that has the Loch Ness Monster as its backdrop. It is driven by a mismatched (developing) love story, yet still has enough about it to raise the pertinent question that crowns the story, namely why? And should we? Solve the Loch Ness Monster mystery. It's all very simple and low-key, where any expectation of an FX extravaganza will lead you only to a big disappointment. Helps, too, if you kind of want to believe in the fantastical, like a bit of whimsy with your film supper.

An insult often used to beat it with is that it copies Local Hero's template. What is wrong with that? Since Local Hero itself is a charming human fable set in similar gorgeous locale, why not have that delightful film as a marker? In fact Loch Ness is more family friendly, adult enough for the discerning grown up, whilst beguiling the kiddies too. And lets rejoice the sparse use of special effects, what we get is brief, and dare I say it? Magical. Fusco's script is also witty, with much fun mined from Danson's fish out of water portrayal as he finds himself at odds with everyone except the Nessie keen assistant played with wide eyed energy by Frain. The rest of the cast are roundly great as well, Danson (affable supreme), Richardson (quality Scottish accent), Holm (grumpy curmudgeon) and Graham (one of the most natural and unfussy child performances ever), lead the way. While good secondary support comes from a barking mad Keith Allen and Nick Brimble as the self appointed love rival for Laura's attentions.

Bolstering the film is a majestic score from Jones, with the expected Celtic harmonies neatly sitting along side the more brassy and keyboard thrusts as the narrative hits its peaks. The synth and string arrangement that accompanies "Nessie" is simply beautiful and the reason why this particular writer had to buy the score. Although the Highland/Lochs locations used for filming are to die for, the film needed a better cinematographer than Tickner. He's good on something like sci-fi trasher Split Second, where he gets away with washed out apocalyptic colours, but here his photography is often murky and the sumptuous colours of the scenery never boom out from the screen. He does, however, know how to light a pretty face, the beautiful Richardson benefiting greatly here.

With a big human heart and awash with family friendly mysticism, Loch Ness is a lovely picture. Thankfully for those who now know what to expect, it's a mile away from being a creature feature. 8.5/10