Loch Ness [DVD]

A fabulous, magical, family film

Loch Ness is directed by John Henderson and written by John Fusco. It stars Ted Danson, Joely Richardson, Ian Holm, Kirsty Graham and James Frain. Music is scored by Trevor Jones and cinematography is by Clive Tickner. Plot sees Danson as Zoologist Jonathan Dempsey, who has now become something of a joke in his field after a failed "beastie hunt" for the Yeti. In the last chance saloon, he's packed off by his superiors to debunk the Loch Ness Monster legend, where hardly enthused anyway, he finds a small community unwelcome to his being there. After finally booking into a small inn run by single mother Laura McFetridge (Richardson) Dempsey forms a warm relationship with Laura's nine year old daughter, Isabel (Graham), who just may hold the key to the mystery of Loch Ness.Once it was made available for viewing it struggled to gain any significant support, both by critics and film fans alike. Caught in the 1990's creature feature slipstream created by Jurassic Park, hopes were high for a very different type of Loch Ness Monster movie. Nobody, except for the film makers, were quite prepared for what type of film Loch Ness is. Henderson's film is a human interest story first and foremost, one that has the Loch Ness Monster as its backdrop. It is driven by a mismatched (developing) love story, yet still has enough about it to raise the pertinent question that crowns the story, namely why? And should we? Solve the Loch Ness Monster mystery. It's all very simple and low-key, where any expectation of an FX extravaganza will lead you only to a big disappointment. Helps, too, if you kind of want to believe in the fantastical, like a bit of whimsy with your film supper.An insult often used to beat it with is that it copies Local Hero's template. What is wrong with that? Since Local Hero itself is a charming human fable set in similar gorgeous locale, why not have that delightful film as a marker? In fact Loch Ness is more family friendly, adult enough for the discerning grown up, whilst beguiling the kiddies too. And lets rejoice the sparse use of special effects, what we get is brief, and dare I say it? Magical. Fusco's script is also witty, with much fun mined from Danson's fish out of water portrayal as he finds himself at odds with everyone except the Nessie keen assistant played with wide eyed energy by Frain. The rest of the cast are roundly great as well, Danson (affable supreme), Richardson (quality Scottish accent), Holm (grumpy curmudgeon) and Graham (one of the most natural and unfussy child performances ever), lead the way. While good secondary support comes from a barking mad Keith Allen and Nick Brimble as the self appointed love rival for Laura's attentions.Bolstering the film is a majestic score from Jones, with the expected Celtic harmonies neatly sitting along side the more brassy and keyboard thrusts as the narrative hits its peaks. The synth and string arrangement that accompanies "Nessie" is simply beautiful and the reason why this particular writer had to buy the score. Although the Highland/Lochs locations used for filming are to die for, the film needed a better cinematographer than Tickner. He's good on something like sci-fi trasher Split Second, where he gets away with washed out apocalyptic colours, but here his photography is often murky and the sumptuous colours of the scenery never boom out from the screen. He does, however, know how to light a pretty face, the beautiful Richardson benefiting greatly here.With a big human heart and awash with family friendly mysticism, Loch Ness is a lovely picture. Thankfully, a mile away from being a creature feature. 8.5/10

Not sure why so expensive to rent though

Following the first time I watched this film it raised feelings of nostalgia in me, reflecting back on a holiday I spent touring Scotland as a young lad. Subsequent viewings have endeared me to this charming family story that could well apply to other surviving, living antiquities discovered in our world. The concept that strange creatures like Nessie might exist in obscure habits around the globe has long since primed the curiosity in us. The story of this film centres on a zoologist Doctor Dempsey (Ted Danson) who has lost credibility in his profession, due to focusing his studies on historical aspects considered surreal by his contemporaries. When assigned by his university director Dr. Mercer (Harris Yulin) to research the Loch Ness legend once and for all? Dempsey is completely disenchanted over the appointment. With no other option, Dempsey reluctantly sets out upon the assignment equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology, assisted by a doting admirer Adrian (James Frain). An unexpected emotional attachment at the inn he stays in develops between Dempsey and the landlady Laura (Joely Richardson), and her small daughter Isabel (Kirsty Graham). Dogged by an eccentric water bailiff, (Ian Holm), focused on his Celtic origins, and a belligerent fisherman Andy (Nick Brimble), considering Laura as his future spouse, inevitable confrontations arise for Dempsey and Adrian. Unperturbed, Dempsey finally provides the evidence he feels confirms Nessie as a myth. After a brawl with the fisherman over Laura, Dempsey, nursing a bloody nose from the fight, prepares to leave for the States. Receiving the belongings of his predecessor Professor Abernathy (Philip O’ Brien), he finds a camera with the last shot revealing a partially submerged flipper Dempsey knows to be part of a very large creature, and goes out on the Loch in search again. A large approaching object wrecks the boat, sending all the new evidence to the bottom of the Loch, and plunges Dempsey under water where he sights something he cannot explain. Back at the Inn he reveals to Laura what he thinks he has seen and finds her reluctant to share his excitement. Later, Isabel gives him a get well card she has drawn, which displays a picture of her Water Kelpie on it. Dempsey focuses on the image of a huge flipper that is similar to the one on the picture taken by Professor Abernathy. When Dempsey questions Isabel, she innocently asks him if he would like to see her Water Kelpie, but that he must believe in it before he can. In a scene under a nearby castle, Isabel takes Dempsey down into a grotto where he witnesses a family of surviving prehistoric dinosaurs. Taking a picture of them ends in confusion where Isobel is accidentally plunged into the water. The water bailiff curses Dempsey's interference, but later, in a moment of uncharacteristic humility on the train to a symposium in London, he begs Dempsey not to expose the discovery. The choice now for Dempsey lies between his affection for Laura and Isabel or the re-establishment of his reputation at the scientific symposium. Influenced by Laura, he realises that the locals are aware of the historic phenomenon in the Loch, and how they have remained silent on the creatures’ presence to prevent their exposure to the world. The film reaches a climax at the scene in the symposium, leaving Dr. Mercer in the unenviable position of trying to explain Isabel’s drawing Dempsey had displayed on the screen. The music and scenes, indigenous of Scotland, add to the magic of this charming film; a fantasy that almost has one believing that Nessie really exists. I whole heartedly recommend this DVD, having stood upon the shores of Loch Ness myself while silently pondering that legend....CJB.

I LOVE this movie and it's nice to have it on a Blu-Ray disk. Why include a DVD as well? Who knows... What else can I say about the film itself that hasn't been said before? Nothing much!Disgraced American zoologist is sent to Scotland to seek Nessie - a penance for his wild lifestyle - and meets various locals who seem to be protecting something. After falling for the (female) owner of the local inn, all idea of exposing the beast evaporate for a happy ending. Lots of great scenery, local 'characters' and a real feel-good storyline all add to the fun - especially the scenery in Blu-Ray!If you are into visiting film locations, though, beware! The Urquhart Castle sequences were actually filmed at Eilan Donan Castle in Loch Duich on the west coast of Scotland, while Loch Ness is just inland from the EAST coast!That said, it's worth visiting both if you are up in Scotland on holiday, because the scenery is fab-u-lous! Also, a visit to Loch Duich puts you within a stone's throw of the Isle of Skye too, so why not visit there while you are at it?Before you ask, No, I'm not employed by the Scottish Tourist Board and yes, I really do love this film.5* recommendation for a lightweight, (in the best way), family night in!

C’est un film merveilleux. Il me donne chaque fois l’envie d’aller ouvrir un pub sur les bords du lac. J’aurais dû le faire il y a 30 ans! Alors je me passe ce film en boucle… pour rêver 🙂🙂🙂

Mi è piaciuta molto la trama perché fa vedere la leggenda di lochness , in più c'è una vicenda d'amore e ti fa anche riflettere come comportarsi con la natura che ci circonda.Lo consiglio a chi piace il genere.

Love this movie.

Diesen Film kann man gut mit ger ganzen Familie ansehen. Die Schauspieler sind teilweise gut bekannt, der Film gehört zu unseren kleinen Schätzen.

Mi opinión es sobre la versión española en DVD de "Lago Ness". La película se presenta en una caja típica de DVD, con un solo disco, serigrafiado con una imagen de Ted Danson. Entre sus idiomas se incluyen, además del castellano, el inglés y el francés. En cuanto a extras, pues... siendo una TV movie que llegó a estrenarse en cines en algunos países, pues tampoco se pueden esperar.En cuánto a la edición en sí, me dije a mi mismo que no volvería a comprar dvds cuando me hice con mi primer reproductor de Blu-ray, pero habida cuenta de que esta película no existe aquí en dicho formato, me he decidido a comprarla así. Sí que es cierto que he podido ver la película en su edición nórdica en blu-ray y mejora mucho la calidad de imagen, ya que el dvd en ese aspecto va justito, es decir, buena imagen para lo que es, pero le faltan puntos en lo que a definición se refiere... por no hablar de que el reproductor blu-ray hace que los efectos especiales en ciertos momentos,se noten demasiado. Por no hablar de que la maravillosa dirección de fotografía se beneficiaría mucho más si gozara de alta definición. El sonido castellano es correcto sin más.¿Por qué le pongo 5 estrellas entonces? Bueno, pues en parte por la parte nostálgica, ya que siempre quise tener esta película desde aquel lejano 1996 en que la vi, y nunca he podido tenerla más que grabada en vhs, y que la historia, pese a no ser una grandiosa obra maestra cinematográfica, cumple muy bien con su labor de crear un misterio familiar, con cierto toque de realismo mágico, en el que se entrecruzan (muy bien) las relaciones humanas creadas por un reparto bastante majo (incluso la niña es todo un acierto de casting).Y por otra parte, por transmitir un mensaje acerca de que en este mundo gris en el que vivimos, siempre queda espacio para ciertos misterios (los que estudia la criptozoología en este caso), y que no importa si se demuestran reales o no, sino si estamos dispuestos a creer en ellos para que el mundo siga teniendo ese algo extraordinario.Por lo demás, el servicio de Amazon, como siempre de 10.