THE WATER HORSE:
LEGEND OF THE DEEP

Year: 2007
USA: Columbia Pictures
UK: Sony Pictures Releasing
UK DVD: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Cast: Emily Watson, Alex Etel, Ben Chaplin, David Morrissey, Brian Cox, Craig Hall, Ian Harcourt, Priyanka Xi, Peter Corrigan, Rex Hurst, Marshall Napier, Edward Newborn, William Russell, Louis Owen Collins, Bruce Allpress, Eddie Campbell, Carl Dixon, Lorraine McDonald, William Johnson, Nathan Christopher Haase, Megan Katherine, Elliot Lawless. Phil Peleton, Erroll Shand, Joel Tobeck, Ben Van Lier
Director: Jay Russell
Countries: USA / UK
USA & UK: 111 mins
USA Rated: PG for some action/peril, mild language and brief smoking
UK Certificate: PG contains mild language and fantasy danger
USA Release Date: 25 December 2007
UK Release Date: 8 February 2008
UK DVD Release Date: 30 June 2008


Synopsis

The Academy Award-winning producer and special-effects team behind THE LORD OF THE RINGS join with Revolution Studios, Walden Media (THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA) and Beacon Pictures to bring to the screen the magical motion picture THE WATER HORSE. Rooted in one of the most enduring and intriguing legends of our time, the story begins with an enchanted egg... and what hatches will set in motion and adventure that will take a young boy on the unforgettable journey of a lifetime.

A family fantasy film, THE WATER HORSE is a poignant story of mythical proportions that is centred on an ancient, almost primeval story that has captured the imagination for millions of years. Based on Dick King Smith's critically acclaimed novel, THE WATER HORSE tells the tale of two children who discover an egg on a beach in Scotland, which eventually hatches into a 'Water horse'. Later, that water horse grows up to be the Loch Ness Monster. Angus, a young boy living WWII Scotland, has grown more and more reclusive since his father went off to war.

During a solitary search for sea shells on the beach, Angus finds a mysterious object on the banks. Uncertain of its origin, he takes it home, hiding it for safekeeping. However, when it hatches overnight, he finds himself the proud but puzzled caretaker of a water horse - a sea creature of mythic stature. Angus affectionately calls his new friend with a gentle nature but ravenous appetite, Crusoe. Attempts to keep Crusoe as a pet are foiled by the creature's accelerated growth, so unable to conceal it any longer, Angus returns the water horse to the loch, unknowingly placing it in danger of those who would see it as a threat. Angus desperately tries to protect the gentle misunderstood creature, but his secret begins to unravel, placing both their friendship and their lives at peril.

DVD EXTRAS

Myths And Legend
A mixture of thoughts and opinions from cast members and others about the origins of the Water Horse myth - does it really exist?

The Story
The Water Horse: From original book to screen play. Interviews with the director, author and actors.

Setting The scene
A look at the different locations, Production design, costumes and effort that the crew went to produce an authentic Scottish environment.

Waterwork
A look at the amazing underwater strategies used to create one of the most difficult scenes in the movie: Crusoe takes Alex under the Loch.

Characters
Jay and the actors as well as author Dick King Smith elaborate on the characters and the challenges of playing them

Creating Crusoe
An explanation of the physical and computer generated work undertaken to create the Loch Ness monster.

Deleted Scenes
8 scenes not included in the original release

Blu-ray exclusive: Virtual Crusoe (Java game)