The Water Horse
The Water Horse: Film Locations
The Water Horse - Legend of the Deep was released in the USA on Christmas Day 2007.
In this multi part Blog I will identify the locations used in Scotland and New Zealand and then follow up with a look at the similarities between the two countries both in mythology and culture.
As the synopsis explains, the film follows Angus, a young Scottish boy, who finds an enchanted egg. Taking it home, he soon finds himself face-to-face with an amazing creature: the mythical "water horse" of Scottish lore. Angus begins a journey of discovery, facing his greatest fears and risking his life to protect a secret that would give birth to a legend.
The film is based on the book by Dick King-Smith, an English author who also penned another well-loved book Babe, The Gallant Pig. Babe was the basis of another very successful film (of the same name) which was released in 1995. Shot entirely in Australia, Babe had a number of connections with blockbusters made here in New Zealand. Hugo Weaving (Elrond in The Lord of the Rings) voiced Rex the Male Sheepdog, Andrew Lesnie (DoP The Lord of the Rings, King Kong) filmed and Roger Ford (Production Designer The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Prince Caspian) headed Production Design.
The Water Horse story takes place entirely in the Scottish Highlands, but the film adaptation had locations split between Scotland and the “Highlands” of the South Island of New Zealand.
The resultant location mix comes together seamlessly showing the scenery similarities of the two countries and also because of the fantastic work of Joe Letteri and his hard working team at Weta Digital in Wellington.
Locations use in The Water Horse were;
New Zealand
Mt Nicholas Station
1. Main Base Camp
2. Gun Emplacements
3. Military Encampment
3. Roads around the Loch
Note the departure point for boats travelling across to Mt Nicholas with cast and crew was Twelve Mile Delta which was a location in The Lord of the Rings (notably where Sam cooked the coneys).
Stone St Studios (Wellington)
1. Interior shots
2. Water shots
General
1. Coastal Scenery
Click on the TomTom button below to download the Queenstown locations to your TomTom GPS.
Scotland
Ardkinglas Estate
1. Killin Lodge
2. Military Encampment
Drumnadrochit
1. Loch Ness Visitor Centre
Click on the TomTom button below to download the Scottish locations to your TomTom GPS.
Tours are available in Scotland showcasing the locations there as well as (obviously) visiting Loch Ness. In New Zealand, Mt Nicholas Station is not able to be visited but as you drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy it is possible to look across the lake to the station.
Scottish Tours
Ardkinglas Estate
The Trail of the Water Horse
Family Travel Scotland
Dooley Vacations Water Horse Tour
The Water Horse Locations in Google Earth
View of Lake Wakatipu from Mt Nicholas. (C) Ian Brodie All Rights Reserved.
The Scottish Crofters hut built by Dan Hennah and his team at Mt Nicholas. (C) Ian Brodie All Rights Reserved.
Gun Emplacement (Mt Nicholas). (C) Ian Brodie All Rights Reserved.
Filming at Ardkinglas Estate
The military encampment at Ardkinglas. (C) Ian Brodie All Rights Reserved.
In this multi part Blog I will identify the locations used in Scotland and New Zealand and then follow up with a look at the similarities between the two countries both in mythology and culture.
As the synopsis explains, the film follows Angus, a young Scottish boy, who finds an enchanted egg. Taking it home, he soon finds himself face-to-face with an amazing creature: the mythical "water horse" of Scottish lore. Angus begins a journey of discovery, facing his greatest fears and risking his life to protect a secret that would give birth to a legend.
The film is based on the book by Dick King-Smith, an English author who also penned another well-loved book Babe, The Gallant Pig. Babe was the basis of another very successful film (of the same name) which was released in 1995. Shot entirely in Australia, Babe had a number of connections with blockbusters made here in New Zealand. Hugo Weaving (Elrond in The Lord of the Rings) voiced Rex the Male Sheepdog, Andrew Lesnie (DoP The Lord of the Rings, King Kong) filmed and Roger Ford (Production Designer The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Prince Caspian) headed Production Design.
The Water Horse story takes place entirely in the Scottish Highlands, but the film adaptation had locations split between Scotland and the “Highlands” of the South Island of New Zealand.
The resultant location mix comes together seamlessly showing the scenery similarities of the two countries and also because of the fantastic work of Joe Letteri and his hard working team at Weta Digital in Wellington.
Locations use in The Water Horse were;
New Zealand
Mt Nicholas Station
1. Main Base Camp
2. Gun Emplacements
3. Military Encampment
3. Roads around the Loch
Note the departure point for boats travelling across to Mt Nicholas with cast and crew was Twelve Mile Delta which was a location in The Lord of the Rings (notably where Sam cooked the coneys).
Stone St Studios (Wellington)
1. Interior shots
2. Water shots
General
1. Coastal Scenery
Click on the TomTom button below to download the Queenstown locations to your TomTom GPS.
Scotland
Ardkinglas Estate
1. Killin Lodge
2. Military Encampment
Drumnadrochit
1. Loch Ness Visitor Centre
Click on the TomTom button below to download the Scottish locations to your TomTom GPS.
Tours are available in Scotland showcasing the locations there as well as (obviously) visiting Loch Ness. In New Zealand, Mt Nicholas Station is not able to be visited but as you drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy it is possible to look across the lake to the station.
Scottish Tours
Ardkinglas Estate
The Trail of the Water Horse
Family Travel Scotland
Dooley Vacations Water Horse Tour
The Water Horse Locations in Google Earth
View of Lake Wakatipu from Mt Nicholas. (C) Ian Brodie All Rights Reserved.
The Scottish Crofters hut built by Dan Hennah and his team at Mt Nicholas. (C) Ian Brodie All Rights Reserved.
Gun Emplacement (Mt Nicholas). (C) Ian Brodie All Rights Reserved.
Filming at Ardkinglas Estate
The military encampment at Ardkinglas. (C) Ian Brodie All Rights Reserved.
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