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:

Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Harry Connick Jr.

4 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
Juliana Harkavy	...	Rebecca
Megan Lozicki	...	Brittany
Jim Fitzpatrick	...	Max Connellan
Kim Ostrenko	...	Alyce Connellan
Michael Roark	...	Donovan Peck

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.

---

Plot Keywords:

competition | bare chested male | father figure | beach | medical examination | 

---

Taglines:

Inspired by the amazing true story of Winter

---

Genres:

Drama | Family

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some mild thematic elements

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [France]

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 September 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Delfiini lugu

Filming Locations:

Admiral Farragut Academy, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$37,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$19,152,401, 25 September 2011, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$72,286,779

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$95,404,397

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alcon Entertainment,Arc Productions,St. Petersburg Clearwater Film Commission

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

Nathan Gamble had his hair dyed from his natural blonde to brown for this film.

---

Goofs

At the beginning of the movie, before Winter is rescued, Sawyer is riding a blue bike. After Winter is rescued, and throughout the remainder of the movie, it is black.

---

Quotes

Lorraine Nelson: Sawyer... I don't know what to say
Sawyer Nelson: Please mom, I'll do extra class credit next year, I"ll write a essay, I'll do anything you want
Lorraine Nelson: I believe you... I get... I get this... I mean, it's... it's amazing
[Sawyer pleading to his mom]
Lorraine Nelson: I'll talk to Mr. Doyle
Sawyer Nelson: YES, I love you... Thank you
Lorraine Nelson: You're welcome
[Sawyer runs to Hazel]
Sawyer Nelson: Hazel, she said, "yes"
Hazel Haskett: Yes!
[...]

---

Connections

Referenced in Mad: Frankenwinnie/ParaMorgan (2012)

---

Soundtracks

Second Guessin'
Written and Performed by Jerry King and The Rivertown Ramblers
Courtesy of El Toro Records
By arrangement with HD MUSIC NOW

User Reviews

OMG, totally loved this film.

Without going into a dissertation of my life and background I went to the Warner Brother's Premiere last night at the village theater in Westwood and my eyes were watery almost the entire movie. Being an animal lover and activist I would equate this film in it's quality to several other extremely successful animal feature films, which I love and watch, over and over again.

Dolphin Tale reminded me of some of the greatest animal films I've ever seen, such as 'My Dog Skip' 'Born Free' 'Babe' 'Old Yeller' 'Marley and Me' Benji' 'Free Willy' 'Lassie' and 'Flipper' but better! The family relationships between Ashley Judd and Nathan Gamble (mother & son) and then Gamble and Austin Stowell (1st cousins) and then Stowell and his parents Kim Ostrenko (Judd's sister) and Jim Fitzpatrick (Judd's brother in law & Stowell's father) and then Gamble and Winter the Dolphin and then Winter and Gamble and Cozi Zuehlsdorff (Gamble's new best friend) and her dad Harry Connick Jr (Marine Biologist) and then Connick and his dad Kris Kristofferson...was priceless.

The story of Winter obviously is what drives this film, but it the relationships is what makes this movie so emotional and visceral. Everyone will be able to associate themselves with these relationships.

Not to mention that the film is beautifully shot and it appears as though the town of Clearwater beach is a a cozy little beautiful place.

This may be THEE BEST animal movies EVER made...EVER!