Free Willy 3: The Rescue (1997)

A teenage Jesse and old friend Randolph try to foil an illegal whaler threatening Willy and his pregnant mate.

Director:

Sam Pillsbury

Writers:

Keith Walker (characters), John Mattson

Stars:

Jason James Richter, August Schellenberg, Annie Corley

2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jason James Richter	...	Jesse
August Schellenberg	...	Randolph Johnson
Annie Corley	...	Drew Halbert
Vincent Berry	...	Max Wesley
Patrick Kilpatrick	...	John Wesley
Tasha Simms	...	Mary Wesley
Peter LaCroix	...	Sanderson (as Peter Lacroix)
Stephen E. Miller	...	Dineen
Ian Tracey	...	Kron
Matthew Walker	...	Captain Drake
Roger R. Cross	...	1st Mate Stevens
Rick Burgess	...	Smiley
Roman Danylo	...	Pizza Kid

Storyline

Willy the whale is back, this time threatened by illegal whalers making money off sushi. Jesse, now 16, has taken a job on an orca-researching ship, along with old friend Randolph and a sarcastic scientist, Drew. On the whaler's ship is captain John Wesley and his son, Max, who isn't really pleased about his father's job, but doesn't have the gut to say so. Along the way, Willy reunites with Jesse, who helps Max realize that whales are a little more than just cheese burgers.

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Plot Keywords:

whaler | whale | ship | friend | scientist | 

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Taglines:

A new friend. A new threat. A new adventure that will capture your heart.

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Genres:

Family | Adventure | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements involving whale hunting, and for brief mild language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 August 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Befri Willy 3

Filming Locations:

Britannia Beach, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

DEM 746,173 (Germany) (6 February 1998)

Gross:

DEM 746,173 (Germany) (6 February 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros, Regency Enterprises, Donner/Shuler-Donner Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The characters Dineen, Kron, and Sanderson are named after Hartford Whalers players Kevin Dineen, Robert Kron, and Geoff Sanderson.

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Quotes

Drew: That's not what I would've done. If someone tried to kill me I wouldn't have saved him. I would've bit his butt.
Jesse: Maybe he's smarter than we are.
Randolph: Or more human.

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Connections

Referenced in American Dad!: The Worst Stan (2011)

User Reviews

Why does this movie have such a low rating?!

Okay guys, the fact that this movie got such a low rating really makes my blood boil! If you can't appreciate such a touching film as Free Willy 3: The Rescue, I'd like to see what you guys watch. This movie really touched me, so did the other two movies in the trilogy. I'll admit, this movie may not have been as good as the other two, which is why I'm only giving it a 9 out of 10, but it still is quite the masterpiece. It's better than any of those other bullshit movies about animals, like air bud or MVP! Those movies were garbage and have absolutely nothing on free Willy. Free Willy 3: The Rescue, has, and always will have, a special place in my heart. I grew up with this trilogy and I hold it very dear to my heart. If you're a parent and you want your child to see some quality film making, I advise you to rent Free Willy 3. This movie doesn't have any violence or anything that'll warp your child's mind into growing up to be some crack-head, animal beating criminal, which is what most movies tend to be doing these days. No, this movie will inspire your kid to do good with his life, it'll make your child appreciate the beauty of animal life. If you haven't seen this movie, I recommend you watch it asap. It will appeal to people of all ages.