The Story

‘The timely ecological fable is an adventure yarn which doesn’t talk down to children as it dwells on topics such as humans’ impact on the world and even nuclear war.’ — Sight and Sound

Adapted from Michael Morpurgo’s classic shipwreck novel and featuring the voices of Academy Award winner Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer) and Academy Award nominees Sally Hawkins (Paddington) and Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai).

Michael is on a round-the-world sailing trip with his family when a storm strikes, and he and his beloved dog Stella are washed overboard and end up on a remote island in the Pacific. Michael soon realises there is someone close by, someone who is watching over him and helping him to stay alive. Soon, the mysterious Japanese stranger, Kensuke, reluctantly allows Michael into his world and they begin to form a friendship. But something threatens to destroy the fragile world Kensuke has created on the island, and they must use all their courage, skills and resourcefulness to try to save it.

A thrilling adventure story with a poignant ecological message that will resonate with audiences across the world.

Festivals/Awards: British Animation Awards (Best Feature, Best Writer and Best Music winner), New York International Children's Film Festival (Grand Prize Feature winner), Annecy International Animation Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival, Chicago International Children's Film Festival

Parental guidance: Contains themes that may be too mature for younger or more sensitive viewers.

Rating

All Ages

Duration

85 min

Director

Neil Boyle, Kirk Hendry