MovieChat Forums > Ring of Bright Water (1970) Discussion > A fantastic film

A fantastic film

posted 13 years ago by PoppyTransfusion
6 replies | jump to latest

Of the sort that just couldn't be made anymore. Hard to put my finger on what I mean by that but I was struck by its slow pace, minimal dialogue, inscrutable characters, an obvious love connection between the two lead characters but lacking any of the sex so often thrown into films these days, etc.

The film of the otter Mij was as good as any wildlife footage/documentaries I've seen. I love the 'what, what' that Graham used to say back to Mij's grunts. So funny whilst understated and touching at the same time.

9 or maybe even 10/10. I want to read the book now.

I'm a fountain of blood
In the shape of a girl

[–] Darkshines_07 11 years ago

I very much agree with you.

I first saw this film a bunch of years ago now and, despite its leisurely pace and quiet charm, I still think of some of the scenes often. Such a lovely depiction of a the various adventures of one man and his otter.

I fear if it had been a modern movie, some of the scenes may have used a CGI otter which would have taken away so much of the original naturalness - as you say, very like a wildlife documentary in places.

I have the film on DVD and might just have another rewatch when the mood takes me - just have to brace myself for that ending though!

[–] cmashieldscapting 9 years ago

Have you seen The Three Lives of Thomasina and Born Free? Similar in many ways but much easier to take--in that your emotions get harrowed up but are not left harrowed.

[–] PoppyTransfusion 9 years ago

I've seen Born Free but not The Three Lives of Thomasina, not even heard of that film! I think Ring of Bright Water is better than Born Free and that's because it's understated, which makes it harrowing although I cry everytime I see Born Free I have to admit.

I give my respect to those who have earned it; to everyone else, I'm civil.

[–] cmashieldscapting 9 years ago

Yeah, Born Free was more dramatic and Thomasina is way dramatic, but things were said about Thomasina as you said about Ring of Bright Water--incredibly well-done, couldn't or wouldn't be done today, etc. Thomasina is a fictional story. For a poor example of a true story, see Andre (1994), also an actual animal story which took place in the early 1960s, of which it was said they adapted a wonderful book into a very silly movie.

(Slight spoiler)

Andre is not tragic, but in one scene someone does attempt to kill him and it's implied he may have succeeded. During this scene a child in the theater where I was watching became hysterical and had to be taken out.

[–] PoppyTransfusion 9 years ago

Thanks for the recommendations. Thomasina looks good, not so sure about Andre. Two recommendations for you, if you haven't seen them already, would be Kauwboy, which features a crow, and The Bear, which features various adult bears and a baby bear. Part of the reason I like films like these and Ring of Bright Water is because of the way the animals are filmed; the footage seems natural rather than manipulated.

I give my respect to those who have earned it; to everyone else, I'm civil.

[–] cmashieldscapting 9 years ago

Disney did some incredible animal films, some with footage I'm not sure would or could be done the same now. I did see part of The Bear and it seemed like some of the scenes were artificially created, though I wouldn't use the word animated and this was before CGI.