Because of Winn-Dixie (film) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Because of Winn-Dixie
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Wayne Wang
Produced by	Trevor Albert Joan Singleton
Screenplay by	Joan Singleton
Starring	Jeff Daniels Cicely Tyson Dave Matthews Eva Marie Saint AnnaSophia Robb
Music by	Rachel Portman
Cinematography	Karl Walter Lindenlaub
Editing by	Deirdre Slevin
Studio	Walden Media
Distributed by	20th Century Fox
Release date(s)	January 26, 2005 (2005-01-26) (USA Film Festival) February 18, 2005 (2005-02-18)
Running time	106 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$14 million
Money made	$33.6 million

Because of Winn-Dixie is a family comedy-drama film from 2005. It is based on the popular 2000 novel of the same name by Kate DiCamillo. The movie was written by Joan Singleton and directed by Wayne Wang.

Walden Media produced the film, and 20th Century Fox released it. The special dog, Winn-Dixie, was played by two Berger Picard dogs. This is a rare dog breed from France. The movie stars AnnaSophia Robb, Jeff Daniels, Cicely Tyson, and Dave Matthews.

Because of Winn-Dixie first showed at the USA Film Festival on January 26, 2005. It was then released in theaters on February 18, 2005. The film earned $33.6 million around the world. It was made with a budget of $14 million. The movie was later released on DVD and VHS on August 9, 2005.

What the Movie is About

The story follows 10-year-old India Opal Buloni. She has just moved to a small town in Florida named Naomi. Opal lives with her father, who is a preacher.

One day, Opal visits the Winn-Dixie supermarket. There, she finds a scruffy dog causing a lot of trouble. To save the dog from going to the pound, Opal quickly says it's her dog. She names him "Winn-Dixie."

Winn-Dixie is a very friendly dog. He helps Opal meet many new people and make friends. Because of Winn-Dixie, Opal also gets closer to her father. She learns ten interesting things about her mother. Her mother had left them seven years before. Opal thinks her father is like a turtle. He often hides in his shell, feeling sad about her mother.

Meeting New Friends

Opal meets Miss Franny Block, a kind and unique librarian. Miss Franny tells Opal many exciting stories. One of her stories is about a bear. Opal also meets Gloria Dump. Gloria is a blind woman with a special "mistake tree" in her yard. This tree has empty bottles hanging from it. Gloria says the bottles are like ghosts of her past mistakes.

One day, the landlord of Opal's trailer park, Mr. Alfred, gets upset with Winn-Dixie. He tells Opal's father to get rid of the dog. Opal's father calls the animal pound. But Opal begs him to let her keep Winn-Dixie. Seeing how sad Opal is, her father changes his mind. He tells the pound to return the dog.

New Job and a Storm

Opal gets a job at Gertrude's Pets. There, she becomes friends with a worker named Otis. Otis is a shy person who loves playing music. Opal also meets a young girl named Sweetiepie Thomas. Sweetiepie really wants a dog just like Winn-Dixie.

Later, a big thunderstorm arrives. Winn-Dixie is very scared of storms. He runs away during the thunder. Opal searches for him, but her father wants to give up. Opal gets upset and blames her father for losing her mother and now Winn-Dixie. Her father explains that he tried hard to find her mother. He then admits that he believes she is not coming back.

Winn-Dixie's Return

After the storm, they go back to a party. Otis starts to sing a song while playing his guitar. Suddenly, they hear Winn-Dixie howling along from outside. Everyone sings and welcomes Winn-Dixie back inside.

Who's in the Movie

• AnnaSophia Robb as India Opal Buloni
• Jeff Daniels as "The Preacher," Opal's father, Mr. Buloni
• Cicely Tyson as Gloria Dump
• Luke Benward as Steven "Stevie" Dewberry
• Dave Matthews as Otis
• Eva Marie Saint as Ms. Franny Block
• Courtney Jines as Amanda Wilkinson
• BJ Hopper as Mr. Alfred
• Nick Price as Dunlap Dewberry
• Elle Fanning as Sweetiepie Thomas

Animal Actors

• Becca Lish as Gertrude the Parrot (voice)
• Lyco and Scott as Winn-Dixie

Music from the Film

• "Opal's Blues" – The Be Good Tanyas
• "Won't Give In – The Finn Brothers
• "Splish Splash" – Adam Schlesinger and James Iha
• "Sunflower" – Alice Peacock
• "The Clapping Song" – Shirley Ellis
• String Quartet #17 ("Hunt")
• "Butterfly" – Dave Matthews
• "Sunrise" – Norah Jones
• "Cabaret" – Emmylou Harris
• "Glory Glory" – AnnaSophia Robb, Jeff Daniels, Cicely Tyson, Dave Matthews, Eva Marie Saint, Courtney Jines, Nick Price, Luke Benward, Elle Fanning and B.J. Hopper
• "Glory Glory" – Patrinell Wright and Gloria Smith
• "Someday Somehow (Have It All) – The Beu Sisters
• "Fly" – Shawn Colvin
• "Amazing Grace" – Rachel Portman

Film Recognition

See also

In Spanish: Because of Winn-Dixie para niños