Dot and the Whale (1986)

While all the Dot films up to this point were well worth watching, ranging from good to very good and good representations of Australian animation, it was with 'Dot and the Whale' that saw the series at its best.There is not a whole lot wrong with 'Dot and the Whale'. In fact criticisms are very few and of all the Dot films it is the least problematic by far. Some of the character designs do lack finesse in places, which is a general criticism actually of most of the films (no matter how much of a soft spot there is for them). Maybe the sharks could have been a little more threatening, they didn't seem quite sinister enough.However, the animation is improving with each instalment so far, with mostly more vibrant colours and evidence of smoother character designs (even if not consistently). The use of live action is the best and most natural of all the Dot films, the underwater ones looking strikingly beautiful actually.'Dot and the Whale' has the best and most consistent soundtrack of all the Dot films to me, with a whimsical and nuanced incidental score and a rare case of all the songs working (the weakest is "Fish 'n' Chips" but that is still pretty good). "Mother Sea" and "The Whale Song" are sublime and "Save the Whale" makes its point but doesn't do so too didactically.The script is funny, poignant, remarkably educational and heart-warming, while the characters are engaging, with Moby Dick written in remarkably well and Dot very likable. Tonga is also a very poignant character. The story handles its environmental message better than the one from 'Dot and the Koala', and while formulaic it is still executed beautifully and in a way that both children and adults will admire. Parts are fun and uplifting, there are some funny lines and even this 25 year old adult found herself learning a good deal and admired its sincerity and heart-warming emotion.Voice acting is of a good standard.In summary, great and the Dot film series at its best. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Producer and director Yoram Gross returns with the sixth film in the Dot series, and gives us the best Dot film ever! Twentieth Century girl Dot - she of the flaming red hair and bare feet - learns how to breathe underwater from her dolphin friend Nelson. They hear whales speak of a beached whale and decide to investigate. Dot speaks to Tonga, the beached whale, and hears a sad tale about humans killing Tonga's parents and friends. Tonga beached herself to commit suicide as she has no one who loves her and no place to go.Now THIS is a Dot movie, and it's the right way to make an environmental message movie without being too preachy. The story is very good and the dialogue is better than you'd expect. When Dot notices rubbish on the ocean floor, she tells Nelson, "Sometimes I'm ashamed to be human." (She's not the only one.) She also accuses grown-ups of not wanting to fix problems they make. None of the kids in this movie trust the adults, and most of the adults give the kids a good reason not to trust them. In the end, nearly the entire human race looks bad because of the way we treat the whales, the ocean and each other. This is the type of children's movie that would never get made in this country, but thankfully we can see it.The screenplay is by John Palmer, who also worked on Dot And The Kangaroo (1977) and Dot And The Bunny (1984). Bob Young returns to compose two new songs. The underwater photography of real ocean creatures really enhances the film. And Moby Dick - yes, THAT Moby Dick - is worked into the story!Excellent job, everyone! Now where's the DVD?

America has long been one of the few accepting countries of adult animated movies for a variety of reasons. Once again, it takes a foreign production to drive this point home. If you, the viewer want an example of a superior animated movie, place "Dot and the Whale" on your list right now!

Dot and the whale is a film that will soften event he hardest of hearts. It came as one of a series of films about Dot, the little Australian orphan girl, and her aim to help people. In this film she ends up in a busy beach where a killer whale has become stranded. It is now up to her to save it. With the help of some new found friends she sets off to save the whale, bombarding local businesses for financial support. The emotional parts come when the whale is near to giving up hope. See, Dots gift is that she can communicate with animals. The whale tells Dot all about her past and how her family were all hunted and killed. The whale is the last one left out of her family and this is why she is even more inclined to give up hope. Dot helps lift her spirits though and she is soon taken in by the local sea life center after a new enclosure is built for her. There is a beautiful song in this film and wonderful relaxing whale noises throughout. Another title in this series is Dot and the Bunny.