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Water for Elephants

  • 2011
  • PG-13
  • 2h
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
118K
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
DramaRomance

Set in the 1930s, a former veterinary student takes a job in a travelling circus and falls in love with the ringmaster's wife.Set in the 1930s, a former veterinary student takes a job in a travelling circus and falls in love with the ringmaster's wife.Set in the 1930s, a former veterinary student takes a job in a travelling circus and falls in love with the ringmaster's wife.

  • Director
    • Francis Lawrence
  • Writers
    • Richard LaGravenese
    • Sara Gruen
  • Stars
    • Robert Pattinson
    • Reese Witherspoon
    • Christoph Waltz
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    118K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Francis Lawrence
    • Writers
      • Richard LaGravenese
      • Sara Gruen
    • Stars
      • Robert Pattinson
      • Reese Witherspoon
      • Christoph Waltz
    • 302User reviews
    • 273Critic reviews
    • 52Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 13 nominations

    Videos7

    Trailer #2: Water for Elephants
    Trailer 2:28
    Watch Trailer #2: Water for Elephants
    Water for Elephants: Trailer #1
    Trailer 1:59
    Watch Water for Elephants: Trailer #1
    "I'd Hate to Think of It"
    Clip 1:12
    Watch "I'd Hate to Think of It"
    "I'm a Star Attraction"
    Clip 1:20
    Watch "I'm a Star Attraction"
    "Just Come with Me"
    Clip 0:57
    Watch "Just Come with Me"
    "Our Salvation"
    Clip 0:55
    Watch "Our Salvation"
    Water For Elephants
    Promo 1:00
    Watch Water For Elephants

    Photos113

    Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, and Tai in Water for Elephants (2011)
    Reese Witherspoon, Tim Guinee, Robert Pattinson, Tai, and Uggie in Water for Elephants (2011)
    Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson in Water for Elephants (2011)
    Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson in Water for Elephants (2011)
    John Aylward, E.E. Bell, Brad Greenquist, Tim Guinee, and Christoph Waltz in Water for Elephants (2011)
    Robert Pattinson in Water for Elephants (2011)
    Francis Lawrence in Water for Elephants (2011)
    Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz in Water for Elephants (2011)
    Robert Pattinson in Water for Elephants (2011)
    Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson in Water for Elephants (2011)
    Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson in Water for Elephants (2011)
    Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson in Water for Elephants (2011)

    Top cast

    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
      The blueish-grayish tights Reese Witherspoon wears are clearly made of a fabric containing nylon. Natural fibers (cotton, wool, silk...) would not result in the even, semi-opaque aspect with no wrinkles in the knee and foot area. Nylon was not invented before the late 30ies, so the tights are an anachronism.
    • 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 reviews302

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    Old Hollywood Movie
    Water For Elephants takes us back in time, not just because it is set in the 30's but also because the movie is filmed with such quality and attention to detail, it is very much like movies used to be made. No reliance on CGI or profanity to make up for lack of imagination either. The dialog is crisp and the film adheres very much to the spirit of the book, even if things were consolidated or omitted for the film.

    The cinematography is lush and if the film doesn't win an award for it, it will be a travesty.

    And the performances are wonderful. Christoph Waltz is captivating as a complex character and Reese Witherspoon walks a fine line (no pun intended) between the role of a dutiful wife and that of a survivor. But it is Robert Pattinson who delivers a range of emotion not seen from him before. He is understated and again reminds me of actors of old - Gary Cooper specifically. He plays a gentleman and a scholar but also shows passion and intensity. Any doubt viewers might have had on his abilities as an actor are wiped away, as he more than holds his own in scenes with two Oscar winners.

    This is a must-see movie for anyone wanting to see more quality films and less action-packed/violence ridden/computer enhanced drivel at the theaters. Bravo!
    helpful•175
    38
    • laurieO76
    • Apr 22, 2011

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    FAQ3

    • What is "Water for Elephants" about?
    • Is "Water for Elephants" based on a book?
    • How does the movie end?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 22, 2011 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Languages
      • English
      • Polish
    • Also known as
      • Ngôi Sao Gánh Xiếc
    • 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

    Technical specs

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

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