Andre (film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Andre |
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| Directed by | George T. Miller |
| Produced by | Annette Handley & Adam Shapiro |
| Screenplay by | Dana Baratta |
| Narrated by | Annette O'Toole |
| Starring |
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| Music by | Bruce Rowland |
| Cinematography | Thomas Burstyn |
| Editing by | Harry Hitner |
| Studio | The Kushner-Locke Company |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures (North America) Turner Pictures (internationally; these rights are now owned by Warner Bros.) |
| Release date(s) | August 19, 1994 |
| Running time | 95 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $8 million |
| Money made | $16,820,893 |
Andre is a 1994 American comedy-drama film. It was directed by George T. Miller. The movie stars Tina Majorino. It tells the story of a special friendship between a young girl and a seal.
The film is based on a true story. It comes from the book A Seal Called Andre. The movie was filmed in Vancouver and Mississippi.
Contents
The Story of Andre the Seal
A New Friend for Toni
The story begins in 1962 in Rockport, Maine. A fisherman named Billy Baker is upset. A seal gets caught in his fishing net. He and other fishermen think about harming seals. They believe it will help their fishing season.
But then, a young girl named Toni Whitney finds an orphaned baby seal. Toni is seven years old. Her family decides to adopt the pup. They name him Andre.
The vet doesn't think Andre will survive. But Toni promises to be his best friend. She says she will always take care of him. Toni's father, Harry, helps Andre. He builds a special "artificial mother" for Andre. This helps Andre drink milk and grow stronger.
Growing Up with Andre
As Andre gets bigger, he and Toni become very close. Toni even takes him to school for show and tell. Andre loves living in the harbor. He learns many fun tricks. Soon, he becomes famous in the town. Many people come to watch him.
This makes Billy Baker even more angry. He feels jealous of Andre and the Whitney family. Harry and Billy's friendship gets worse. Meanwhile, Billy's son, Mark, and Toni's sister, Paula, start to like each other. This causes more tension in the family.
Harry is pressured by his family and others. He thinks about letting Andre go into the wild. But then he finds a seal that was harmed. So, he decides to keep Andre safe.
Andre's First Winter
During his first winter, the harbor freezes. Andre escapes from the barn where he was staying. He gets hurt while leaving. The Whitneys are worried when they find blood. Andre is gone for the whole winter.
But in the spring, Andre returns! He is a bit weak but still the same playful seal. He quickly gets better.
Challenges and Family Troubles
As Andre gets older, he causes more problems for the fishermen. He also takes up a lot of Harry's time. Harry misses Paula's performance because he has to protect Andre. This makes Paula very upset.
Harry also has less time for his son, Steve. He gets strict with Steve for small things. Paula becomes very angry with Harry. She feels he cares more about Andre than her. Paula decides to leave home.
Mark tells Paula he knows a way to make Andre go away.
Rules and Rescues
Harry's job as harbor master also becomes difficult. He is very focused on Andre. The government sends an inspector named Jack Adams. Jack tells Harry that keeping a wild animal as a pet is against the rules. He warns Harry that he could face trouble.
Harry believes Andre stays by choice. He also thinks it's too dangerous for Andre in the wild during winter. Andre even saves Harry's life once. Harry is underwater checking a rope. Andre helps him get away from a dangerous situation.
Eventually, Toni's mother, Thalice, talks to Harry. She explains how much trouble Andre is causing. Harry agrees to let Andre go to an aquarium in Boston. There, Andre will be safe and cared for.
A Stormy Rescue
Before Harry can tell Toni, she goes to the harbor. She finds Paula and Mark taking Andre out to sea in a boat. Dark clouds are gathering. Steve is supposed to watch Toni. But he is busy watching TV. Toni slips out and takes a small boat into the choppy sea.
On their boat, Mark tries to make Andre leave. Paula realizes she doesn't want Andre to be hurt. She tries to stop Mark. Andre jumps into the water. Paula thinks he has fallen in. She is very upset and tells Mark to go home.
Harry and Thalice meet them on the shore. Steve arrives in a panic. He tells them Toni and the small boat are gone. Thalice calls the coast guard. A storm begins, and it's hard to see.
Out at sea, Toni struggles in her boat. The waves are huge, and she loses her oars. She is heading towards sharp rocks. Andre, who is safe, swims to her. He pulls her boat away from the rocks. Then, he leads Billy and Harry to Toni's location.
A big wave flips Toni's boat. Mark, who came with Billy and Harry, jumps in to save her. Billy throws them a lifebelt. They are pulled to safety. Billy tells Mark he is proud of him. Harry comforts Toni. Andre swims away, happy that Toni is safe.
Andre's Legacy
Back on shore, Toni sees Andre being put into a cage. He is going to the aquarium. Harry explains that Andre will be safe there. An aquarium worker tells Toni she can visit Andre anytime. Toni sadly accepts. She tells Andre she loves him.
As summer arrives, Billy and Mark's relationship gets better. Harry fixes things with his family. He gets a new job helping marine animals. He steps down as harbor master, and Billy takes his place.
Toni realizes Andre would be happier in the wild. So, Andre is released. The Whitneys don't expect to see him again. People report seeing Andre in different places. Then, a friend sees him nearby. The whole town of Rockport gathers at the harbor. They watch Andre swim home to his family.
The movie ends with an adult Toni narrating. She says Andre's life became a legend. He spent every winter at the aquarium. Every spring, he swam home to Rockport. She says that even when he was old and couldn't see well, he still made his last trip home. Toni says she will never have a better friend than Andre.
Cast
- Tina Majorino as Toni Whitney
- Keith Carradine as Harry Whitney
- Chelsea Field as Thalice Whitney
- Aidan Pendleton as Paula Whitney
- Shane Meier as Steve Whitney
- Keith Szarabajka as Billy Baker
- Joshua Jackson as Mark Baker
- Shirley Broderick as Mrs. McCann
- Andrea Libman as Mary May
- Joy Coghill as Betsy
- Gregory Edward Smith as Bobby
- Tory as Andre, based on the real seal Andre the Seal
- Jay Brazeau as Griff Armstrong
Music
The music for the film was composed by Bruce Rowland.
