Ring of Bright Water [1969] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Amazon.co.uk Review

Coincidence throws Mij the otter and Graham Merrill (Bill Travers) the computer worker together on a busy London street in Ring of Bright Water. What transpires from this chance meeting is an epiphany that leads to the complete upheaval of Graham's life. Evicted from his city flat thanks to the antics of his newly acquired, mischievous otter, Graham embarks on a train journey to the Scottish Highlands. Suffice it to say that trying to smuggle Mij onboard as a "diving terrier" is not successful. When the pair finally arrives in Scotland, they fall in love with the countryside and a dilapidated cottage by the sea. Fate introduces Graham to the town's animal-loving doctor (Virginia McKenna), and an enduring friendship and romance are forged. The photography of both the Scottish Highlands and the antics of Mij the otter in this 1969 movie are truly wonderful--it might just make you reconsider your current digs and friendships. The story (based on Gavin Maxwell's book of the same name) is somewhat formulaic and dated by its romanticism, but enjoyable nonetheless. Slip into an ideal world of simple happiness and celebrate the cyclical nature of life, if only for 106 minutes. --Tami Horiuchi, Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

excellent family viewing.......2007-10-06

Gentle quiet atmospheric film with some extradinary happenings.
Natural history and scottish highlands, good to clear your head..breathe that fresh air and drink that crystal water.
Boys 7,10 really enjoyed this film. I had seen it many years ago as childhood memories of it have lingered.
Beautiful haunting theme tune brings a tear to one's eye.
Could watch again, maybe a childhood family classic

A good "Rainy Afternoon" film.......2006-12-29

I remember the film as being beautifully shot and a gentle, probably a bit wimpy and sentimental story (nothing really wrong with that). However, I saw this on one of the rare occasions a film projector was brought into school in the 70s - we were only about 8 years old. THAT scene (I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen it) and its effect on an 8 year old boy (ie me!) has stayed with me always and I've never been able to watch it again!

A good film and recommended. Just don't have your kids there watching it without a box of tissues handy!

One of the best animal movies Ive seen!.......2005-06-01

I watched this on bank holiday Monday on ITV and I personally didnt think it would be good! However I found myself staying tuned and watched the whole movie! I refused to move, even when the adverts came on!

I loved Bill Travers acting and found Mij the otter entertaining! They really worked well together and Virginia McKenna as the Scotish village doctor was stunning.

I enjoyed the soundtrack and the locations of the movie were breath taking and this film has dug itself into my heart. It pulled at my heart strings and make me laugh and almost shed a tear.
Please try and see this classic, its one of those films, that still to this day will be enjoyed by audiences young and old!

A tale that can be watched time and again.......2004-03-17

Fast moving with awesome Scottish landscapes, great classical music and engaging characters all brought together by a otter who is saved from a pet shop in London and in the process returns us to the freedom of the sky and the sea.

Sentimentality supreme.......2002-09-28

Most of my generation will remember this film. Chance throws an unhappy man and an otter together, and his life in London is destroyed. He comes to see the city as a cage that holds them both prisoner and sets off on a quest for freedom on the Scottish coast.

Sentimental nonsense? Of course it is, and we could all do with more of it. I gave a copy of this film to a friend's five year old daughter and I hope it hurts her just as much as it hurt me when I was a child. I'm glad that despite being so much older I still find this an achingly beautiful film.

Amazon.co.uk Review

Customer Reviews:

excellent family viewing.......2007-10-06

A good "Rainy Afternoon" film.......2006-12-29

One of the best animal movies Ive seen!.......2005-06-01

I loved Bill Travers acting and found Mij the otter entertaining! They really worked well together and Virginia McKenna as the Scotish village doctor was stunning.

A tale that can be watched time and again.......2004-03-17

Sentimentality supreme.......2002-09-28

But why did they make keeping otters illegal? If we all had one they wouldn't be endangered.

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