What Do The Critics Say?

"Like a cetacean equivalent of Audie Murphy in "To Hell and Back," Winter the bottlenose dolphin plays herself in the aptly if punningly titled survivor's story "Dolphin Tale," an intelligently crafted family film that delivers several welcome messages to young viewers and their parents. Could be accused of mawkishness, but I have no problem recommending a movie that encourages children to love and respect wildlife." John Beifuss COMMERCIAL APPEAL "For the movie, a young boy, Sawyer, is thrown into a mix, troubled, shy and in need of something to get him excited. Animal lovers, be prepared to tear up several times as this heartwarming family film hits all the heartstrings inherent in the genre. Dolphin Tale is an exceptional family film." Lori Hoffman ATLANTIC CITY WEEKLY "Karen Janszen and Noam Dromi have built a screenplay around a true story that draws on familiar Hollywood-movie tropes, but plays well just the same. This one was inspired by the remarkable real-life story of a dolphin named Winter. Formula or no, by the end of the film I found myself tearing up. " Leonard Maltin LEONARD MALTIN'S MOVIE PICK "Based on real events, the film is a bit schmaltzy and manipulative, but its heart is definitely in the right place, engaging its family audience with its uplifting, inspiring elements. Be warned: take a tissue. The central story is one about an injured dolphin discovered on a beach by Sawyer, who is going through a crisis of his own. There's something true and real about this charming story with a moral to never quit, that hits its target." Louise Keller URBAN CINEFILE

"To work, a family film has to accomplish two things. First, it has to appeal to kids, preferably teaching them something positive instead of simply reinforcing their anti-social instincts. Second, it has to have enough going on, at some level, to engage the adults who will be forced to take said youngsters to the movie. An ideal family film." Daniel M. Kimmel NEW ENGLAND MOVIES WEEKLY "Sawyer's interactions with Winter make the movie fun for kids especially - an intelligent animal connects with a boy in need of attention and affection. Viewers who like dolphins will be happy to see so much of Winter, whose lively personality and impressive intelligence come across in her interactions with the humans." Cynthia Fuchs TIME TO PLAY MAGAZINE "Dolphin Tale has all the right ingredients for a family movie with adorable dolphins (and some other marine animals) and the plucky youngster who plays a major role in the feel-good plot." Andrew L Urban URBAN CINEFILE "Most children's entertainment feels as sugar-addled as their target audience. But Dolphin Tale avoids being either anxious or obnoxious, keeping young moviegoers amused and enthralled the old-school way: with its story and star." Kevin Williamson JAM! MOVIES "I'm always leery of movies where the star is an animal. Hollywood has a habit of imbuing animals with human like qualities, which I've always found annoying. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was more the story of young Sawyer than it is the story of Winter the dolphin and while yes it is sappy, it's actually sappy in a pretty good way." Scott Nash THREE MOVIE BUFFS

The Inside Story Dolphins and humans have always shared an intriguing symbiosis despite the natural divide of land and water. Their gentle spirits, smiling expressions and their undeniable intelligence captivate us, and dolphins, likewise, seem drawn to the people who venture in or onto the oceans they call home: sometimes to their own detriment. Throughout the years, there have been many tales of dolphins saving the lives of people. In the feature film "Dolphin Tale," a few dedicated humans join together to return the favor. Director Charles Martin Smith ("Stone of Destiny") offers: "One of the larger themes of the film is that we: people, animals, nature; are all in this together. We are part of an overall community that extends beyond our human family, and I think the movie speaks to that in a meaningful and entertaining way, with both humor and heart." The film's star, Harry Connick Jr ("The Iron Giant"), who worked closely with dolphins in his role, notes, "When you look at a dolphin, you know there is a connection. You can see the intelligence in their eyes; it's almost as if they can look right through us. I felt that the whole time I was making this movie." "Dolphin Tale" has its origins in a story that would be almost impossible to believe if it weren't true. In December 2005, a fisherman in Florida happened on a baby dolphin that had become entangled in the ropes of a crab trap, cutting off the circulation to her tail. Critically injured, the young animal was transported to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA), where she eventually lost her tail altogether, increasing the odds against her survival. However, the people working 24/7 to help Winter (as the dolphin was named) were determined to defy those odds, and Winter's own will to live trumped all the cards she'd been dealt. Her miraculous recovery was due, in large part, to an ingenious prosthetic tail. It is held on via a revolutionary sleeve made out of a super-soft, flexible, durable material, dubbed "Winter's Gel," which not only saved her life but has since changed the lives of physically challenged people around the world. It wasn't long before the media became aware of the events unfolding in Florida, which is how the story of Winter came to the attention of producer Richard Ingber ("Behind the Scenes: Behind Enemy Lines"). "I was watching morning television when a piece about Winter came on that stopped me in my tracks. I was completely caught up in it and immediately realized the potential for a great family film that would be appealing to audiences of any age." Ingber, who is President of Marketing at Alcon Entertainment (Suite 250, 10390 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025), makes his producing debut on "Dolphin Tale". "I started doing my homework and learning everything I could about Winter. One of the things I found so amazing is that there were many times she could have given up, but she survived challenge after challenge." Producer Andrew A Kosove ("Racing Stripes") says the film "is about overcoming adversity, about persistence, and about courage: qualities that human beings can relate to at a very core level. What makes it even more special is that those qualities are seen through the experiences of an animal." "Andrew and I have always gravitated to these kinds of inspirational movies," adds producer Broderick Johnson ("My Dog Skip" & The Blind Side"). "When you hear about Winter and especially when you meet her; it's a life-affirming experience, regardless of your age or background or circumstance. We wanted to capture that feeling in the movie." But, bringing Winter's courageous story to the big screen, would involve an amalgamation of both fact and fiction. Screenwriter Noam Dromi clarifies: "Researching the true story, Richard Ingber and I saw how many elements would translate cinematically but felt we needed to anchor it in the emotional context of the dolphin's relationships with people. Who better to exemplify that than a young boy? Seeing Winter through the eyes of children gives us that sense of wonder." The filmmakers also enlisted screenwriter Karen Janszen, who is no stranger to animal-centric films, having previously worked on the screenplays for "Duma" and "Free Willy 2." She revealed that she also had a very personal window onto a child's perspective of Winter's story. "I thought about my daughter, who loves dolphins the way some little girls love puppies or horses. And I've always been fascinated by their obvious intelligence and empathetic nature; there is something magical and mysterious about dolphins and their underwater world. Watching and listening to them, you have to ask: what would they say if they could actually communicate with us?" To helm the film, the producers chose Charles Martin Smith (Terry "The Toad" Fields in the 1973 George Lucas film, "American Graffiti"), who has a particular appreciation for nature that dates back to his role in the acclaimed 1983 drama "Never Cry Wolf". Smith would later demonstrate an affinity for working with both children and animals as the director of the family hit "Air Bud". Ingber (who appeared in Deren Abram's 2009 biographical story "Clarkworld") notes: "From the first meeting, we knew Charles was the perfect person to takes the reins. He shared our vision; he immediately got that Winter's story was very heartwarming but, at the same time, a lot of fun." Smith recalls: "As soon as I heard about Winter, I just knew I had to do this film. I thought it was delightful and very much the kind of movie I'm interested in making. I also loved the idea of approaching it from a child's point of view because children and animals have a kind of innocence and purity, and I really wanted to emphasize that bond." Additionally, as Dromi points out, "It was equally important to include adult characters, some of whom are composites of the real people who rallied together to save Winter. Their knowledge and wisdom and broader perspective of life really informs the story." Janszen notes, "We wanted to show the remarkably strong relationship Winter fostered with people, who saw her as a sentient, feeling and intelligent being, worthy of the enormous time and energy required to help her. She pushed the humans around her to reach higher and be better for her and for one another." Playing the title role (as only she could) is Winter herself. Smith recounts, "When we were prepping, there was the obvious question of how to depict Winter. Because of the distinctive side to side wiggle that she developed to swim, which is also integral to the story, the best solution was to use the real Winter. That also meant filming on location at her home at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, called Clearwater Marine Hospital in the movie. The results were above and beyond our expectations." Before Winter could make her film debut, the production needed the cooperation of her real-life 'family' at CMA, which came with certain ground rules. The CEO of the Aquarium, David Yates, confirmed: "I had many conversations with Charles and the producers because, first and foremost, I had to protect Winter; we wanted it to be a positive experience for her. They also had to understand who we are and what we're about because they were pretty much going to be dropping into the middle of our operations, and we had to make sure we didn't, in any way, put any of our animals at risk. From day one, the filmmakers all said, "This is your call; whatever you say is how it's going to be done.' It turned out to be a fantastic partnership." Protecting Winter, as well as the other animals who call CMA home, was also imperative to the filmmakers. Johnson attests, "In certain scenes, we incorporated some CGI and animatronics because Winter's safety came first. But, whenever possible, what you're seeing is her because the true essence of this amazing animal could only be conveyed by Winter herself." The filmmakers made another important decision to better capture Winter's habitat on the screen: "We decided to shoot the film in 3D," Smith revealed. "In the opening sequence, where we meet Winter swimming free in the ocean with her pod, it gives you the sense of gliding through the water with the dolphins. The ability to share that with audiences was the main benefit of 3D. And I tried to recreate that feeling later in the movie, when Sawyer swims with Winter." Without exception, the human cast of "Dolphin Tale" did fall in love with their aquatic co-star. Connick ("Memphis Belle") says, "It's an extraordinary sensation to be so close to such a majestic animal. And there's something else that sets this dolphin apart: maybe it's what she went through or the fact that she survived when others wouldn't have, but it's a privilege just being around her." Judd remarked: "I didn't really know anything about Winter before I became involved in the movie, so it was an exciting process of discovery. As soon as I finished the script, I went to see winter, to look at her. I couldn't wait to meet her, and it was even more magical and moving than I anticipated." "I was looking forward to getting to work with Winter," Morgan Freeman recalls. "I know she's the real star of the movie, so I just tried to ingratiate myself." The central thread of "Dolphin Tale" is the link between Winter and Sawyer, the boy who saves her life. So before he won the role of Sawyer, young actor Nathan Gamble had to win over Winter. Gamble recalls: "It was funny because I went through four or five auditions with Charles and the producers, but they still had to make sure Winter was okay with me. I flew down to Florida and it was one of the best experiences of my life; we clicked right away. When they said I had the part, I was thrilled because I knew I would get to spend the next few months with Winter and the other animals, which was really cool." Gamble was only twelve years old when he was cast as Sawyer, but, as Smith ("Starman") notes: "I've seldom seen actors of any age who can do what Nathan can do. The entire movie revolves around Sawyer's relationship with Winter, so he had a big burden for someone so young. But he is a consummate performer with a confidence and skill some actors work their entire lives to achieve." Newcomer Cozi Zuehlsdorff makes her screen debut as Dr Haskett's daughter, Hazel, a self-described "chatterbox." Zuehlsdorff admits, "Sometimes she doesn't know when to stop talking." "I auditioned more than a hundred kids for the part of Hazel, but as soon as Cozi came in, I knew this girl was something special," Smith says. "She's already a total pro; I can't say enough good things about her." Reed Haskett, Hazel's grandfather, is portrayed by veteran actor Kris Kristofferson, who had acted alongside Charles Martin Smith almost fourty years ago in the 1973 film "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid." The director says, "What a joy to be reunited with Kris. He has such strength and presence, which is exactly what we needed for the part of Reed." "I also think dolphins are remarkable animals," Kristofferson says. "Years back, I had an opportunity to swim with a dolphin. I fell in love right away." What's It All About?

Young Sawyer is cycling by a beach near his Florida home, when he is frantically beckoned to by a man in need of a cell phone. Making his way to the waters edge, Sawyer discovers a beached dolphin with a badly damaged tail, tangled in the lines of a crab pot. The dolphin and the boy instantly bond. By the time the Clearwater Marine Hospital responds to the older man's 911 call, the young boy has freed up the dolphin. Soon the dolphin's need becomes a bridge between them. Unfortunately, despite Dr Clay Haskett's best efforts to nurse the animal back to good health, he is forced to amputate its tail. Christened Winter; Sawyer virtually becomes the dolphin's carer. But without a tail, a dolphin's chances are slim. It's only when his cousin Kyle comes back wounded from a tour of war duty and Sawyer is introduced to prosthetics guru Dr Cameron McCarthy that the idea of a prosthetic tail is born.

The Verdict "Just in time for the school holidays comes this wonderful tale of a dolphin that lost its tail. The dolphin in the film is real. Her name is Winter and in real life she is the star attraction at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. The film is 'based on' the true story and its storyline goes like this: It's December 2005. Caught in a crab trap, severely damaging her tail, a dolphin is rescued and transported to the Clearwater Marine Hospital, where she is named Winter. Her fight for survival has just begun. Without a tail, Winter's prognosis is dire. It will take the expertise of a dedicated marine biologist, the ingenuity of a brilliant African-American prosthetics doctor and, the faith of a young boy to save her." So what has been changed? Well, back in 2005, it wasn't a young boy who assisted the badly injured dolphin: it was in fact a fisherman who found Winter and he called Florida's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution. In 2006 there was also no Dr Cameron McCarthy. Actually, it was two 'white' guys: Kevin Carroll, an expert prosthetist and vice president of prosthetics at Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics and Florida Practice Manager, Dan Strzempka, who fitted Winter with her artificial tail. The result of those changes doesn't detract from the story: it just makes it better. Kids and adults will enjoy it! 3 1/2 STARS." Who Is Playing Who?

Harry Connick Jr Ashley Judd Nathan Gamble Kris Kristofferson Cozi Zuehlsdorff Morgan Freeman Austin Stowell Frances Sternhagen Austin Highsmith Betsy Landin Juliana Harkavy Megan Lozicki Tom Nowicki Jim Fitzpatrick Kim Ostrenko Michael Roark Richard Libertini Ray McKinnon Ashley White Rus Blackwell Vivian Ruiz Laila Harris Stacy Ann Rose Kurt Yaeger Mike Maki Mike Pniewski Paul Amadi Keri Maletto Charlotte Connick

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Dr Clay Haskett Lorraine Nelson Sawyer Nelson Reed Haskett Hazel Haskett Dr Cameron McCarthy Kyle Connellan Gloria Forrest Phoebe Kat Rebecca Brittany Philip J Hordern Max Connellan Alyce Connellan Donovan Peck Fisherman Mr Doyle Sandra Sinclair Coach Vansky Virginia Little Girl in Wheelchair Little Girl's Mother Veteran Tim Veteran Mike Prosthetic Consultant Kyle's Friend Kyle's Nurse Hordern

The Production Team Directed by Charles Martin Smith Written by Karen Janszen & Noam Dromi Produced by Richard Ingber/Broderick Johnson/Andrew A Kosove Producer: 3D tech Keith Melton Original Music by Mark Isham Cinematography by Karl Walter Lindenlaub Film Editing by Harvey Rosenstock Casting by Kerry Barden & Paul Schnee Production Design by Michael Corenblith Set Decoration by Susan Benjamin Costume Design by Hope Hanafin Run Time 113 minutes Rated PG [AUST] Copyright ©2011 - Warner Bros Films - All Rights Reserved Enduring © - The Movie Pages & Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved. Protected by Australian & International Copyright, Trademark Laws & Intellectual Property Rights.