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Water for Elephants

  • 2011
  • PG-13
  • 2h
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
122K
YOUR RATING
Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz, Robert Pattinson, and Tai in Water for Elephants (2011)
A veterinary student (Robert Pattinson) abandons his studies after his parents are killed and joins a traveling circus as their vet, where he meets animal trainer August (Christoph Waltz) and his wife Marlena (Reese Witherspoon).
Play trailer2:28
7 Videos
99+ Photos
Period DramaDramaRomance

Jacob takes a job as an animal caretaker in a traveling circus. There he meets Marlena, a beautiful circus performer. Their shared compassion for a special elephant Rosie leads to love, but ... Read allJacob takes a job as an animal caretaker in a traveling circus. There he meets Marlena, a beautiful circus performer. Their shared compassion for a special elephant Rosie leads to love, but Marlena's cruel husband stands in their way.Jacob takes a job as an animal caretaker in a traveling circus. There he meets Marlena, a beautiful circus performer. Their shared compassion for a special elephant Rosie leads to love, but Marlena's cruel husband stands in their way.

  • Director
    • Francis Lawrence
  • Writers
    • Richard LaGravenese
    • Sara Gruen
  • Stars
    • Robert Pattinson
    • Reese Witherspoon
    • Christoph Waltz
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    122K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Francis Lawrence
    • Writers
      • Richard LaGravenese
      • Sara Gruen
    • Stars
      • Robert Pattinson
      • Reese Witherspoon
      • Christoph Waltz
    • 305User reviews
    • 271Critic reviews
    • 52Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 13 nominations total

    Videos7

    Trailer #2: Water for Elephants
    Trailer 2:28
    Trailer #2: Water for Elephants
    Water for Elephants: Trailer #1
    Trailer 1:59
    Water for Elephants: Trailer #1
    Water for Elephants: Trailer #1
    Trailer 1:59
    Water for Elephants: Trailer #1
    "I'd Hate to Think of It"
    Clip 1:12
    "I'd Hate to Think of It"
    "I'm a Star Attraction"
    Clip 1:20
    "I'm a Star Attraction"
    "Just Come with Me"
    Clip 0:57
    "Just Come with Me"
    "Our Salvation"
    Clip 0:55
    "Our Salvation"

    Photos113

    View Poster
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    View Poster
    + 107
    View Poster

    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Robert Pattinson
    Robert Pattinson
    • Jacob
    Reese Witherspoon
    Reese Witherspoon
    • Marlena
    Christoph Waltz
    Christoph Waltz
    • August
    Paul Schneider
    Paul Schneider
    • Charlie
    Jim Norton
    Jim Norton
    • Camel
    Hal Holbrook
    Hal Holbrook
    • Old Jacob
    Mark Povinelli
    Mark Povinelli
    • Kinko…
    Richard Brake
    Richard Brake
    • Grady
    Stephen Monroe Taylor
    Stephen Monroe Taylor
    • Wade
    Ken Foree
    Ken Foree
    • Earl
    Scott MacDonald
    Scott MacDonald
    • Blackie
    James Frain
    James Frain
    • Rosie's Caretaker
    Sam Anderson
    Sam Anderson
    • Mr. Hyde
    John Aylward
    John Aylward
    • Mr. Erwin
    Brad Greenquist
    Brad Greenquist
    • Mr. Robinson
    Tim Guinee
    Tim Guinee
    • Diamond Joe
    Donna W. Scott
    Donna W. Scott
    • Barbara
    E.E. Bell
    E.E. Bell
    • Cecil the Barker
    • Director
      • Francis Lawrence
    • Writers
      • Richard LaGravenese
      • Sara Gruen
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The owner of the circus at the beginning mentions the Hagenbeck-Wallace wreck and the Hartford fire. On June 22, 1918, a troop train crashed into the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus train after the driver fell asleep. The crash killed 86 people and injured 127. On July 6, 1944, a Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey big top circus tent caught fire during a performance in Hartford CT, killing 169 people and injuring over 700.
    • Goofs
      Rex the lion is supposed to be without teeth, but in many shots can be seen with all of his teeth intact.
    • Quotes

      Jacob: You're a beautiful woman, you deserve a beautiful life. Nothing less.

    • Crazy credits
      In 'The producers wish to thank' section of the credits, the Circus World Museum is listed as being in Barbaroo, WI. The actual town is Baraboo, WI.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #19.111 (2011)
    • Soundtracks
      Ciribiribin
      Written by George Wilson and Alberto Pestalozza

      Courtesy of APM

    User reviews305

    Featured review

    Subtly enchanting

    This film is about a young man who has to drop out of vet school after his parents' sudden death. He joins a circus by chance, and his life is never the same again.

    Circuses have become increasingly ignored and irrelevant in modern day lives, as the number of options for entertainment exponentially increases. A romance set in a circus setting may not exactly appeal to the public, and hence I had doubts about "Water for Elephants". It turns out to be a good film, it is quiet and subtle, and yet enchanting throughout. I particularly like the ending black and white shots, they remind me so much of the feel in "The Notebook". These every day snapshot scenes are simple, and yet effective and touching. The only one complaint I have is that the plot is predictable. Robert and Reese are hugging on the poster, which already gives the whole plot away.
    • Gordon-11
    • Jun 26, 2011
    • Permalink

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    FAQ23

    • How long is Water for Elephants?Powered by Alexa
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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 22, 2011 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • Polish
    • Also known as
      • Agua para elefantes
    • Filming locations
      • Chickamauga, Georgia, USA
    • Production companies
      • Fox 2000 Pictures
      • 3 Arts Entertainment
      • Flashpoint Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $38,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $58,709,717
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $16,842,353
      • Apr 24, 2011
    • Gross worldwide
      • $117,094,902
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • Datasat
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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    Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz, Robert Pattinson, and Tai in Water for Elephants (2011)
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