The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep Review

Most people are familiar with the Scottish legend of the Loch Ness Monster. The 2007 family drama The Waterhorse: Legend of the Deep, based on the novel by Dick King-Smith, is the magical tale of a creature similar to the Loch Ness Monster, that changes the life a young boy in Scotland during World War II.

The tale is told in flashback style, to a curious young couple, by an old man in a pub. The old man tells the story a lonely young boy named Angus, (Alex Estel) who lives in the small village of Loch Ness in Scotland. Angus' father is away at war, while his mother (Emily Watson) is head housekeeper on a Scottish estate. One day, near the seashore, Alex discovers a large egg, which he stores in his father's workshop. In the meantime a drifter, Lewis, (Ben Chaplin) comes along, and agrees to work on the estate during the German occupation. Soon, Angus' egg hatches, and out comes a mysterious creature Agnus calls Caruso. Although he tries to keep his discovery secret, Caruso eventually escapes, wreaks havoc on the estate, and not only becomes a beloved friend to Angus, but revives the legend of an ancient sea monster, that brings a moment of peace to a war torn community.

Similar in many respects the beloved Irish film, The Secret of Roan Innish, another tale about a mysterious sea creature and it's relationship with a child, The Waterhorse: Legend of the Deep, is a heartwarming, magical, family friendly film. It features some breathtakingly beautiful scenery of the Scottish coastline, as well as, a haunting musical score. The performances are first rate, especially young Alex Estel, who portrays Angus with a wide-eyed innocence and vulnerability, far beyond his years. Emily Watson and Ben Chaplin also add strong supporting performances as Angus' mother, and the man who becomes like a father figure to the lonely child. The special effect in this film are also excellent, combining live action with cgi, especially in the scenes in which Angus is riding bare-backed on Crusoe in the stormy sea.

Overall, The Waterhorse: Legend of the Deep is a beautifully filmed, action- packed adventure, that will appeal to children and adults alike. Although the story is a bit far fetched, those with the ability to temporarily suspend their belief system, will be rewarded by this enchanting tale of the healing power of love and friendship.