The Boy Who Talked with Animals (19 Apr. 1981)

Young David can communicate with animals. On holiday in the Caribbean he soothes a huge beached turtle which has been captured by local fishermen for display at the tourist hotel. Next morning boy and turtle have both disappeared.

Director:

Alan Gibson

Writers:

Robin Chapman (dramatisation), Roald Dahl (story)

Stars:

Stuart Whitman, Paul Spurrier, David Buck

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Stuart Whitman	...	Sam Jenner
Paul Spurrier	...	David
David Buck	...	Father
Vivien Heilbron	...	Mother
Oscar James	...	William - Fisherman
John Nettleton	...	Hotel Manager
Robert Arden	...	Berners
Alison Coleridge	...	Mildred
Astley Harvey	...	John
William Hootkins	...	Harry Chester
Tony Osoba	...	Police Officer
Mel Taylor	...	Fisherman
David Rhule	...	Fisherman
Geoffrey Cousins	...	Guest
Jeffrey Gardiner	...	Guest

Storyline

On holiday with his parents in the Caribbean, young David is horrified when local fishermen haul a turtle that they have netted up onto the beach with a view to its being exhibited in a pool at the hotel where he is staying with his parents. David's father buys the turtle so that it can be released back into the sea and David, who, according to his parents, can 'talk' to animals, soothes the frightened creature. Next morning both David and the turtle have disappeared out to sea and an air search fails to find them, though there are sightings of a triumphant boy riding on a giant turtle's back.

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Genres:

Horror | Thriller

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Details

Release Date:

19 April 1981 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Saunton Sands, Devon, England, UK

Company Credits

Did You Know?

Crazy Credits

For this episode, Ron Grainer's famous title music was played by a steel band over the end-credits, linking in with the episode's Caribbean setting.

User Reviews

The worst unexpected tale

I think this is probably the worst episode I've seen of TotU.

It's nice that they went somewhere other than the UK for a change (at least pretended to) but there was no story whatsoever.

It had no point, and just drifted along until it the story came to a close with no real ending.

Where were the twists, or turns, or surprises that we expect from the show?

Very disappointing indeed.

Erm... yeah, so very disappointing. But thankfully just an exception in the rule. Other episodes are much better.