Soul Surfer (2011)

Teenage surfer Bethany Hamilton overcomes the odds and her own fears of returning to the water after losing her left arm in a shark attack.

Director:

Sean McNamara

Writers:

Sean McNamara (screenplay), Deborah Schwartz (screenplay),

Stars:

AnnaSophia Robb, Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid

1 win & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
AnnaSophia Robb	...	Bethany Hamilton
Helen Hunt	...	Cheri Hamilton
Dennis Quaid	...	Tom Hamilton
Lorraine Nicholson	...	Alana Blanchard
Kevin Sorbo	...	Holt Blanchard
Carrie Underwood	...	Sarah Hill
Ross Thomas	...	Noah Hamilton
Chris Brochu	...	Timmy Hamilton
Sonya Balmores	...	Malina Birch (as Sonya Balmores Chung)
Jeremy Sumpter	...	Byron
Craig T. Nelson	...	Dr. David Rovinksy
Branscombe Richmond	...	Ben Aipa
Cody Gomes	...	Keoki
Titus Kinimaka	...	Titus
John Philbin	...	Fuel T.V. reporter #2

Storyline

13 year-old Bethany Hamilton is a champion surfer who was born to be in the water. But after a fun night out night surfing and what should be a fun day in the water, she is attacked by a shark and loses her arm. Rushed to the hospital, she remains calm, and maintains her faith in God. Now she has to re-learn how to do everything with only one arm - including how to surf. It will take her friends, family, and her Christian faith to get her back into the water, but if that is where she is meant to be, she will find a way to get there.

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Plot Keywords:

shark | surfer | shark attack | hospital | surfing | 

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Taglines:

When you come back from a loss, beat the odds, and never say never, you find a champion.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for an intense accident sequence and some thematic material

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 April 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Soul Surfer - Coragem de Viver

Filming Locations:

USA

Box Office

Budget:

$18,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$10,601,862 (USA) (8 April 2011)

Gross:

$43,853,424 (USA) (15 July 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Enticing Entertainment, Island Film Group, Brookwell-McNamara Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Bethany Hamilton and some of her family members had cameos in the movie. In the church scene her parents are behind Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt and her sister in law sings in the worship band. In Thailand while the mission crew are serving food, Bethany walks across the screen holding a large box.

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Goofs

Cherilyn Hamilton cuts the top of a tomato twice after getting back home from the hospital.

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Quotes

Bethany Hamilton: Surfing isn't the most important thing in life. Love is. I've had the chance to embrace more people with one arm than I ever could with two.

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Crazy Credits

During the ending credits, videos of the real Bethany Hamilton are shown, many of similar (or possibly the inspiration for) moments in the film.

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Connections

Features The Teen Choice Awards 2004 (2004)

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Soundtracks

"The Sound Of Sunshine"
Performed by Michael Franti & Spearhead

User Reviews

A triumph as a family movie

I went to support a family-valued film. But, I was touched and moved by the honesty and the reality of the events as they occurred.

Some of the special effects with the surf were awesome, wish there had been more.

Anna Sophia Robb stole every scene she was in. Her performance was understated and real.

Soul Surfer is a tear jerker, with an upbeat message, and ultimately makes you feel triumphant. For the Christians, there is a hymn in an outdoor church and a few references to scripture and God.

Some short documentary clips before the end credits were a highlight. Like Bethany surfing, appearances on Late Night talk, and reporters interviews. Makes me think that a biographical documentary about the real heroine, Bethany Hamilton, would be terrific.