From the Academy Award-winning producer and special effects team behind The Chronicles of Narnia, in collaboration with Revolution Studios, Walden Media and Beacon Pictures, The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep, directed by Jay Russell, is a film adaptation based on the children’s novel written by Dick King-Smith. It tells that tale of a phenomenon that many people believe to be real. Annually, millions of tourists flock to Loch Ness in Scotland in hopes of catching a glimpse of “Nessie.” Sightings of the water horse began with St Columba in the year 565 AD, and have continued through today.

In the screen version of the book, The Water Horse is set in Scotland, a part of Great Britain which is also called the United Kingdom (UK). There, a young boy named Angus MacMorrow, played Alex Etel, who lives in Scotland during World War II, has become more and more reclusive since his father’s departure to the war. One day during his solitary search for seashells on the beach day, Angus discovers a large egg half-buried in the rocks and sand. Uncertain as to its origin, Angus takes it home to hide for safekeeping. However, he soon realizes the contents of the egg when it hatches overnight. Proud, but also slightly perplexed, Angus finds that he’s the caretaker of a water horse believed to be a sea creature of Scottish legend and lore. Though Angus’ new found friend has a tender and gentle nature, he has a ravenous appetite. Angus affectionately names the creature Crusoe, after a famous castaway. However, keeping Crusoe a secret presents itself to be quite difficult challenge due to its rapid growth, and the fact that a Royal army company arrives on the estate and his mother, Anne, played by Emily Watson, must board and care for the soldiers led by Captain Hamilton, played by David Morrissey. Unable to conceal the creature any longer, Angus decides to return the water horse to the Loch, with the help of Lewis Mowbray, a trustworthy and kind handyman played by Ben Chaplin. However, Angus finds they have unknowing placed it in danger of those who feel Crusoe to be a threat. Angus finds himself desperately trying to protect the gentle and misunderstood creature, before the secret of the Loch is revealed to the world.

Cast
Emily Watson as Anne MacMorrow
Ben Chaplin as Lewis Mowbray
Alex Etel as Angus MacMorrow
David Morrissey as Captain Hamilton
Geraldine Brophy as Gracie
Craig Hall as Charlie MacMorrow
Priyanka Xi as Kirstie MacMorrow
Joel Tobeck as Sgt. Walker
Marshall Napier as Sgt Strunk
Brian Cox as Old Angus/ Voice of the Narrator
Bruce Allpress as Jock McGowan
Edward Campbell as Hughie
Peter Corrigan (II) as Jimmy’s Buddy #1
Bill Johnson (VI) as Clyde
Edward Newborn as Corporal Grubbs
William Russell (III) as William