Search - Loch Ness on DVD

Sandy M. (BritFlickFan)
Reviewed on 6/20/2024...

Despite the predictable storyline, Loch Ness does have its charms. The Scottish scenery for a start. The U.K. cast anchored by Ian Holm (always enjoyable), a luminous Joely Richardson, earnest James Frain, and spunky Kirsty Graham for another. Ted Danson as an embittered, disgraced scientist, less so for my taste but that's a personal preference. Not quite as kid-friendly as it could have been which is a shame. Instead, the movie was weakened by a rush-to-the-bedroom "romantic" subplot that would have been much better had it been a slow burn with simmering looks and longing as two adults struggle with inappropriate feelings. Drawing that subplot out would have strengthened the ending and provided more satisfaction to the viewer in my opinion. As it stands, this is an okay way to spend a couple of hours but it could have been much more with a different directorial vision.

Jody N.
Reviewed on 3/3/2011...

This is a really sweet movie with good acting, and great music. I won't give away the lot- but Ted Danson and the lovely Joely Richardson do a very good job acting, as does Kirsty Graham. One thing that IRKS me is why this is unavailable in Widescreen????
Everyone today uses HD TV- so why waste this film on 1:33 format???? I actually found the film on DirecTV Starz and taped in in Widescreen!!! If Starz was able to broadcast this movie in Widescreen why is it not available in the US in that format? You can get it widescreen in Region 2- but that format won't play on US DVD players unless you have a multi-format DVD player and TV

Aimee M. (AimeeM)
Reviewed on 3/31/2008...

You'll like this movie if you like Scotland. It has kilts and bagpipes, and cute accents. Other than that, the rest of the story is pretty lame.

For those of you who like Ted Danson, you'll like his performance. He plays his usual "tough guy, kinda rude, but good heart" which fits, since he is supposed to be a stereotypical American.

This isn't really a kids movie. It had some sexual innuendos, and adult type situations. But there is nothing too graphic about it.

If you like to hear a Scottish Accent, you'll like this movie. It will entertain you for an evening... and then you can repost it!

Romance and Adventure with this Loch Ness story

Harold Wolf | Wells, IN United States | 01/14/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Will Laura (Joely Richardson), owner of the pub beside Loch Ness, get the man, Dr. Dempsey (Ted Danson)? It's expected from the start, when they meet in confrontation. It's about as predictable as the doctor/scientist getting the facts and a real photo of "Nessie," the monster. But, what will happen if he gets the photo, and wants the girl? How can he save his career and grab the sassy lass as well? It's the progress of the relationship between those two as well as other characters that makes this movie worth the viewing.



Laura's little girl, Isabel (Kirsty Graham), red head and blue eyed lassie with an accent and facial expressions that will melt your heart, opens the eyes of adults with her powers of knowing and seeing. She's almost worth the movie price all by herself. Watch her closely, what a grande bonny job of playing this wee lass.



I'd rank this up there with "The Water Horse." Both are good films for everyone to see. A must for Nessie fans and anyone loving views or stories of Scotland."

Magic to be discovered...

Chris Wilson | Dallas, TX | 07/08/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Just what is beneath the surface of the dark waters of the Loch? According to documentaries consumed as a child (narrated by Rod Serling, more often than not - In Search Of Ancient Mysteries), it's quite possibly a missing link dinosaur. We've seen photographs and grainy black and white film footage. Now with "Loch Ness," an immensely enjoyable family yarn released in 1996, let's see if Nessie can take on modern science!



The film stars Ted Danson as a burned out U.S. scientist suffering from alcoholism, divorce and professional scandal after fruitless years in search of Bigfoot (History's Mysteries: Bigfoot and Others Monsters). Depressed and broke, he's given a chance at redemption. Armed with the latest in technology, in addition to a bottle of whiskey, he arrives in Scotland to disprove the legend. He lodges at a picturesque inn with a nice view of the water and, as luck would have it, owned by a single mom (Joely Richardson) with an adorable daughter (Kirsty Graham). He partners with a youthful guide (James Frain), who also happens to be his biggest fan, "I've read all ye books!" Danson, in one of his most appealing performances, samples a wee bit of the local brew in the inn's first-floor pub, where the single mom spends evenings as a no-nonsense bartender brushing off men's advances. On a nightly basis, local eccentrics throw darts, sip pints and eye the stranger with suspicion.



A water bailiff, played by the incomparable Ian Holm, is none too happy at Danson's presence, and attempts to sabotage his efforts while eerily standing at the foot of moldy shoreline castles. Danson tugs along in a boat loaded with scanning computers to expose the empty depths. But what are those caves near the shoreline?



The beauty of "Loch Ness," is not necessarily Danson's search for the mythical beast, but his growing attachment to the small town where he temporarily resides. Multiple times I was reminded of the whimsical classic Local Hero, another film where an American tourist is charmed by the simplicity of a foggy Scottish locale stubbornly holding back the hands of modern time. The town (filmed in Diabaig Village, North Loch Torridon) closely guards a secret and Danson must decide whether to reveal his discoveries or allow mysteries to remain.



"Loch Ness" was released straight to American TV in 1996, though it did receive a European theatrical release. It's a shame, as the film deserves an audience. Lovingly directed by John Henderson, the movie displays sturdy production values, beautiful scenery and earnest performances (especially Graham as the daughter, her only film to date). It's a well-intentioned fantasy more about a troubled soul lost in modern society. I love the local color as Danson dines on meat pies, explores castles and strolls the Loch's lonely shores attempting to rediscover his future. Perhaps it's predictable and Holm has a scene almost identically mirroring his famous moment of exuberance in Chariots of Fire (Two-Disc Special Edition) so many years ago. No matter. In "Loch Ness," there's magic to be discovered, and it's not necessarily in the water. A pleasant surprise."