Dolphin Tale (2011)

A story centered on the friendship between a boy and a dolphin whose tail was lost in a crab trap.

Director:

Charles Martin Smith

Writers:

Karen Janszen, Noam Dromi

Stars:

Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd, Nathan Gamble

2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Harry Connick Jr.	...	Dr. Clay Haskett
Ashley Judd	...	Lorraine Nelson
Nathan Gamble	...	Sawyer Nelson
Kris Kristofferson	...	Reed Haskett
Cozi Zuehlsdorff	...	Hazel Haskett
Morgan Freeman	...	Dr. Cameron McCarthy
Austin Stowell	...	Kyle Connellan
Frances Sternhagen	...	Gloria Forrest
Austin Highsmith	...	Phoebe
Betsy Landin	...	Kat
Michael Roark	...	Donovan Peck
Juliana Harkavy	...	Rebecca
Megan Lozicki	...	Brittany
Tom Nowicki	...	Philip J. Hordern
Jim Fitzpatrick	...	Max Connellan

Storyline

A lonely and friendless boy finds and untangles a hurt dolphin that is caught in a crab trap. He becomes very attached to the dolphin when the tail must be taken off to save the dolphin's life. The boy believes the dolphin would be able to swim normally if it was given a prosthetic tail.

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Plot Keywords:

dolphin | boy | tail | trap | prosthetics | 

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Taglines:

Inspired by the amazing true story of Winter

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Genres:

Drama | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some mild thematic elements

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [France]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 September 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Winter, O Golfinho

Filming Locations:

Admiral Farragut Academy, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$37,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$19,152,401 (USA) (23 September 2011)

Gross:

$72,279,690 (USA) (20 January 2012)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alcon Entertainment, Arc Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS DTS (as Datasat Digital Sound)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Hilary Duff was rumored to be part of the movie. A member of the cast denied that Hilary had a role.

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Goofs

Dr. Cameron McCarthy refers to Winter as a fish, four times, yet no one from the Clearwater Marine Hospital corrects him. A dolphin is a mammal, not a fish.

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Quotes

Hazel Haskett: What does your dad do?
Sawyer Nelson: I don't know. He left like 5 years ago. We don't know where he is. He never calls, never writes.
Hazel Haskett: Oh.
Sawyer Nelson: So what does your mom do?
Hazel Haskett: She died when I was 7. Never calls, never writes.
[smiles]

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Connections

Followed by Dolphin Tale 2

User Reviews

Everything to love!

I brought my 8 year old daughter with me to preview Dolphin Tale and we both LOVED it! This is a perfect family movie and I couldn't recommend it enough. The message was positive and although there were some heavy topics addressed - it wasn't over the top... you leave feeling good with lots to think about. This isn't just a movie that encourages you to never give up. It did a great job bringing up real issues like self-image, pride, acceptance of those who are different, self-worth, homeschooling, importance of family, the power of a good family, the value of family. It addresses family relationships, friendship with those who are different, public school issues... oh, and so much more! This movie opens opportunity for discussion with your kids OR you can just go and enjoy the story. Can't wait to see it again in September!