The Water Horse, which has been described in America as “the most wondrous film of its kind since E.T.”, took $30 million in its first ten days on 3,000 screens, is adapted from the book by the best-selling author of Babe, Dick King-Smith, and is a story of two Scottish children who come across a small mythical creature. It was filmed in Loch Fyne and New Zealand using the double Oscar winning design team, Weta (Lord of the Rings, King Kong).

The screening was held at The ODEON, Lothian Road, Edinburgh on Saturday, January 19 at 10:30 am, almost three weeks before the film’s official launch in the UK.  Bringing star quality to the screening, from both the UK and across the pond, were, one of the child stars of the film, Alex Etel, Producer Douglas Rae and Director Jay Russell.

The special charity screening was the idea of the film’s producer, Douglas Rae, who is a long-time supporter of Maggie’s.  Douglas, who started his media career in Edinburgh as a trainee reporter with the Scottish Daily Express, got involved with Maggie’s when he produced monarch of the Glen for BBC1.

Douglas said: “I have known about Maggie’s since its inception in Edinburgh in 1996 and I have been in awe of both their programme of support and their successful expansion across Scotland and now the whole of the UK. There was such a good feeling on set during the filming of The Water Horse that we all knew we had something special on our hands.  Subsequently, we wanted to do something positive in return and that’s why I suggested the charity screening for Maggie’s.”
  
Alex Etel, who recently received praise for his role in the BBC One drama, Cranford, and the Danny Boyle film Millions, is making the trip north from his home just outside Manchester, for the screening.  Thirteen-year-old Alex said:

“I had such a great time making the film and I hope everyone really enjoys it. I am pleased that our first UK screening is being put to great use by making money for such a worthwhile charity. I hope that our screening also raises people’s awareness of Maggie’s, as it is a charity well deserving of high praise.”

The film’s director, Jay Russell, is also making a special trip – this time from his home in Hollywood – to Edinburgh for the screening.  Russell, who is famed for his family-friendly films, is also delighted that the screening is raising money for such a special charity. 

Jay said: “In this day and age, everyone knows someone with cancer. When Douglas brought Maggie’s to my attention I was really interested in the way that they offer much needed emotional support for not only the person with cancer but also for their friends and family. I have been told that walking through the door at Maggie’s has a positively uplifting affect on people. It is fitting then that our life-affirming film is helping a charity that inspires people on a daily basis.”

(19 January 2008)