Dolphin Tale facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dolphin Tale |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Charles Martin Smith |
| Produced by |
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| Written by |
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| Starring |
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| Music by | Mark Isham |
| Cinematography | Karl Walter Lindenlaub |
| Editing by | Harvey Rosenstock |
| Studio | Alcon Entertainment |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures |
| Release date(s) | September 21, 2011 (Clearwater, Florida)September 23, 2011 (United States) |
| Running time | 113 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $37 million |
| Money made | $95.9 million |
Dolphin Tale is an inspiring 2011 American 3D family drama film. It was directed by Charles Martin Smith. The movie's story was written by Karen Janszen and Noam Dromi. It is based on a true story. The film stars Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd, Nathan Gamble, Kris Kristofferson, Cozi Zuehlsdorff, and Morgan Freeman.
The movie is about Winter, a bottlenose dolphin. Winter was rescued in December 2005 off the coast of Florida. She was taken to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Winter lost her tail after getting caught in a crab trap rope. Doctors and experts helped her get a special prosthetic (artificial) tail.
Dolphin Tale was released on September 23, 2011, by Warner Bros. Pictures. Many critics liked the movie. It earned $95.9 million around the world. The movie cost $37 million to make. A sequel, Dolphin Tale 2, came out on September 12, 2014.
Contents
Movie Story
The film follows Sawyer Nelson, an 11-year-old boy. He feels lonely and has fallen behind in school. This is because his father left five years ago. His cousin, Kyle, is his only friend. Kyle is a great swimmer and wants to go to the Olympics. But Kyle leaves to join the army.
One day, Sawyer is on his way to summer school. He finds a fisherman trying to help an injured dolphin. The dolphin is tangled in a crab trap. The dolphin is taken to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA). This aquarium is run by Doctor Clay Haskett. Clay's daughter, Hazel, names the dolphin Winter. Sawyer secretly visits Winter. Soon, he starts visiting her every day. A funny pelican named Rufus often bothers him there.
Sawyer and Hazel's parents are not sure about his visits at first. Clay worries because Sawyer has no experience with marine animals. Sawyer's mom, Lorraine, is upset he is skipping summer school. But they soon see that the friendship helps both Winter and Sawyer. Dr. Clay lets Sawyer keep visiting. Lorraine takes Sawyer out of summer school. She lets him volunteer at the CMA. She even gives him a new wetsuit.
Winter's Injury and New Tail
Winter's tail is badly hurt. It has to be removed. Winter learns to swim without a tail. She moves her body from side to side like a fish. But an X-ray shows this movement is hurting her spine. If she keeps swimming this way, she will get sicker. Eventually, it could even kill her.
Sawyer then hears that Kyle has been hurt. Kyle was in an explosion. He is coming home for treatment. Sawyer is excited to see him. But he is sad when Kyle skips his welcome party. Kyle stays at a hospital for veterans. There, Doctor Cameron McCarthy makes artificial body parts. Sawyer and his mom visit Kyle. Sawyer feels hurt when Kyle asks them to leave. Kyle later explains he needs time to adjust.
Sawyer then asks Dr. McCarthy if he can make a new tail for Winter. McCarthy agrees to help. He also convinces his company, Hanger Prosthetics, to give the parts for free. Dr. McCarthy makes a "homemade" tail first. But Winter does not like it. She bangs it against the pool wall. Meanwhile, Kyle feels more sad. His friend, Donovan Peck, beats Kyle's old swimming records. McCarthy tells Kyle to go home.
Saving the Aquarium
The CMA is already having money problems. Then, a big hurricane damages it even more. The aquarium's leaders decide to close it. They plan to sell the land to a builder. They will find new homes for all the animals. But Winter cannot be moved because of her condition. She might have to be put down.
Kyle visits the CMA. He sees that Winter is like him. She also has an injured limb. Sawyer gets an idea. He is inspired by a girl with a prosthetic leg. Her mom drives her eight hours to visit Winter. Sawyer thinks of holding a "Save Winter Day" to raise money. Clay is not sure about the idea. But he changes his mind after talking to his father, Reed. Kyle agrees to race Donovan Peck. He also gets a local news channel to cover the event.
The special tail from Hanger finally arrives. But Winter does not like this one either. Sawyer then realizes the problem. The plastic part of the tail is hurting her skin. So, McCarthy creates a new gel-like sock. He calls it "Winter's Gel." This is a real product used for artificial limbs. Winter finally accepts this new prosthetic tail.
At "Save Winter Day," everyone is amazed by Winter. Sawyer's teacher gives him school credit. This helps him pass summer school. The fisherman who found Winter also comes. The real estate builder decides to keep the CMA open. He also promises to help it financially. With Winter's help, Kyle wins his swimming race against Donovan.
The movie ends with real videos of Winter's rescue. It shows the different prosthetic tails she wore. It also shows real people with artificial limbs visiting Winter at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
Cast of Characters
- Nathan Gamble as Sawyer Nelson, an 11-year-old boy who finds Winter. He helps cut the crab trap off her. He becomes a close friend to Winter.
- Winter as herself, the injured dolphin. She has part of her tail removed. She learns to swim without it. But a special prosthetic fin is made so she can swim normally.
- Harry Connick Jr. as Dr. Clay Haskett, who runs the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. He is Hazel's father and Reed's son.
- Ashley Judd as Lorraine Nelson, Sawyer's mom. She is a nurse.
- Kris Kristofferson as Reed Haskett, Clay's father and Hazel's grandfather.
- Morgan Freeman as Dr. Cameron McCarthy, a designer of artificial body parts. He is Kyle's doctor. He helps create Winter's prosthetic tail.
- Kim Ostrenko as Alyce Connellan, Kyle's mother and Sawyer's aunt.
- Jim Fitzpatrick as Max Connellan, Kyle's father and Sawyer's uncle. He is also an army veteran.
- Cozi Zuehlsdorff as Hazel Haskett, an 11-year-old girl. She is Clay's daughter and Reed's granddaughter. She helps at the aquarium and becomes friends with Sawyer.
- Ray McKinnon as Mr. Doyle, Sawyer's teacher.
- Austin Stowell as Kyle Connellan, Sawyer's cousin. He is a state swimming champion. He joins the army but gets hurt and comes home early.
- Michael Roark as Donovan Peck, Kyle's friend and also a swimming champion.
- Frances Sternhagen as Gloria Forrest, the owner of Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
- Austin Highsmith as Phoebe, a trainer at Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
- Betsy Landin as Kat, a dolphin specialist at Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
- Juliana Harkavy as Rebecca, another employee at Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
- Tom Nowicki as Philip J. Hordern, a real estate developer.
- Richard Libertini as the fisherman who finds Winter. He later gives a large donation at the fundraiser. This was his last movie role.
- Zoe Naomi as Lilla Forrest, Gloria Forrest's daughter.
Movie vs. Real Life
The movie changes some details from Winter's true story.
Winter's Rescue Location
In the film, Winter is found on Honeymoon Island Beach. This is near Clearwater. A fisherman finds her on the shore. Sawyer helps with the rescue. In real life, Winter was found in Mosquito Lagoon. This is south of New Smyrna Beach. The fisherman who found her was also in the lagoon. Researchers helped Winter. She was first taken to a local center. Then she was moved to Clearwater. This is on the other side of Florida.
Winter's Tail Injury
In the movie, Winter's tail is removed because of an infection. This was caused by being caught in the rope. In real life, the rope cut off blood flow to her tail. Most of the tail fell off on its own. Only a small part needed to be removed by doctors.
Tail Development Time
In the movie, it takes a few weeks to make Winter's tail. A doctor from the Veteran's Administration works on it during his vacation. In real life, it took many months. Experts like Kevin Carroll and Dan Strzempka from Hanger Clinic worked on it.
Soundtrack Songs
The movie features many songs. Here are some of them:
- "World Gone Crazy" - by The Doobie Brothers
- "Knee Deep" - by Zac Brown Band featuring Jimmy Buffett
- "Sh-Boom" - by The Chords
- "Everything Happens To Me" - by Tom Adair and Matt Dennis
- "Ride of the Valkyries" - by the Budapest Symphony Orchestra
- "I'm Yours" - by Jason Mraz
- "Line Dance" - by Michael Wells and David Fowler
- "Second Guessin'" - by Jerry King and the Rivertown Ramblers
- "Kings Road A" - by Jens Funke and Josef Peters
- "Made for Dancing" - by Ron Keel
- "Safe" - by Westlife
Sequel Movie
A second movie, Dolphin Tale 2, was released. It came out on September 12, 2014.
See also
In Spanish: Dolphin Tale para niños
