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'Dolphin Tale': 'Amazing true story' is not exactly true
The movie is based on the story of a Hoosier child that is left out.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 - 08:35
Photo: crimfants/Flickr
Winter the dolphin has no idea of the publicity and controversy that swirls around her. But Katrina Simpkins, the first child with a prosthetic leg to befriend the dolphin, is keenly aware. In fact, Katrina's story is the reason "Dolphin Tale" is raking in millions of dollars from thousands of DVDs, toys and movie sales.
The Columbia City Hoosier was born without a hip and leg. It was her visit to see Winter when she was eight years old that started it all. The "amazing true story" that "Dolphin Tale" claims to be isn't exactly true. The truth is it's really Katrina Simpkins' story.
Ashley Judd, one of the stars in the movie says she chose to do the movie because she read at the end of the script that it was a true story. But does she know the real story?
According to screenwriter Karen Janszen, Katrina's story wasn't "movie sized" and needed to be fictionalized because it wasn't deep enough. Winter can never leave an aquarium and return to the wild because of her disability and yet (spoiler alert) that's how the movie ends.
While Katrina's parents did sign something that appears to have given the Clearwater Aquarium exclusive rights to her story, no one asked the young Hoosier to be an extra in the movie, to walk on the red carpet at a premiere or even acknowledge her part in it. Her parents are paying for the flight and tickets to attend the premiere in Clearwater, Fla.
Katrina's story
The true story is this: in 2007, eight-year-old Katrina Simpkins, born with PFFD (proximal femoral focal deficiency) walked with an ill-fitting prosthetic. She was picked on in school, and as a result, emotionally withdrew and became depressed.
But that all changed when she met the dolphin, Winter, at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium while on vacation in Florida. She began emailing her and calling CEO, David Yates, to check on her weekly. She became a part of the Clearwater Aquarium family.
As a baby, Winter lost her tail when she was rescued from a trap. She was used as an object lesson by the aquarium to create awareness of how the carelessness of humans hurts wildlife. Dr. Dan Strzempka of Hangar Prosthetics heard the story from colleague Kevin Carroll, and decided to design a prosthetic tail for Winter. It had never been done before.
It was that prosthetic tail that had such an impact on Katrina. She and the dolphin began to bond. Katrina began to believe that she had a place in this world. She went from being an introverted little girl, to a bubbly advocate who talked constantly about Winter. "I felt good that an animal was just like me," she said in a 2007 article in the Sarasota Tribune.
In 2008 the same doctor who designed Winter's prosthetic tail also designed a new leg for Katrina.
The bond that developed between Katrina and Winter received so much publicity that others with disabilities began to flock to the aquarium. Children, adults and soldiers wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq began to be inspired by the dolphin. So many people have come to see Winter that the aquarium is planning a $12 million expansion. DVDs, T-shirts and a Nintendo DS game based on Winter all contribute to the aquarium's financial windfall.
So what are the differences between Katrina's story and Hollywood's? Here are a few of them:
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Katrina's Story
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Hollywood's Story
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Winter is rescued by a fisherman
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Winter is rescued by a boy named Sawyer Nelson
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Dr. Strzempka is white and middle aged
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Morgan Freeman plays Dr. Strzemka who is neither
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Dr. Strzempka has a prosthetic leg
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The character played by Freeman has two healthy legs
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Katrina is a girl who has a prosthetic leg
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Sawyer is a boy with two healthy legs
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Katrina's mom isn't single
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Sawyer's mom is single
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So, now when you take your kids to see "Dolphin Tale," you can tell them the real story. Katrina’s Story.
"Dolphin Tale" premieres in theaters Sept. 23.
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Me too it is my favorite animal
He is so cute and i saw the movie and i love dophins
I've read this article over twice. I must have missed the racial remark. Despite a few grammatical errors, I thought it was very well written.
My dear, you are so right! I wish your story had been intertwined with Winter's more but the awareness and financial gain from the movie for the research for the marine and human prosthetics should make you a very proud young lady! Bravo! And I wish you continued success in all your future endeavors! God Bless you!
Your a strong girl! You should have been given some credit and an extra in the movie! Thank you for inspiring them, so that they could make millions. Shoot at least they could do is give you a cut of all they have earned, or even donate to your charities of choice in your name. God knows what youve done, and will bless you and reward you.
Just watched the movie & decided to do some research. Winter's story is inspirational but I think if they had stayed a bit closer to the truth and included you it would have been an amazing story. Why oh why does Hollywood mess around with things. You may not have walked the red carpet but you're a star to me. Good luck with your fundraising, Jenny Wolff UK x
WE WILL ALL WALK THE RED CARPET ONE DAY. DO YOU HAVE A FACEBOOK PAGE? I WANNA BE YOUR FAN!
wow katrina! you are soo brave! and im glad you got the expeirence to do everything and have a bond like that! im glad it makes u feel better...not being rude....but i know what its like not to "fit in"and its not fun...im glad you found winter for a life long friend! (:
hi
this is an aaammmazzing movie and i like katrinas story and i totally believe it but i mean common! its a movie there gonna switch it up a little just so the people watching it can get more into it i mean both are interesting but katrinas story isnt a movie they just made it into a movie....with a little different things in it thats all so it basiaclly is a true story its just in a different perspective.......great movie though!
i just watched the movie like 2 minutes ago and i swear she never got let out into the wild.....
We've seen the movies 3 times now and nothing was ever said about letting her back out into the wild. They mentioned one of the other Dolphins, Crista, being treated and released back into the wild.
Just watched the movie, I am inspired so much by the movie, dolphins and people who had spent the time and given so much care to the dolphin. Dolphins are very cute, friendly and playful. I hope those who hunt dolphins will find an alternative food selections. Bless dolphins.
Thank you! I think that the movie is a good family movie, too.
I agree that it's a story worthy of being told! The story of Winter is inspiring and it's great to have a movie in theaters that is family-friendly. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Since the writers version of how the movie ends is incorrect. How much of the rest of the writers story is incorrect?
How does is end incorrect?
It ends incorrect because she is not released into the sea, as is seen in the movie. She sits in a tiny tank with 24 hour webcam and 100's of people gaping at her.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Winter-The-Dolphin/188232471254870
She wasn't released into the sea at the end of the movie either. She is playing in the sea they never said she was released.
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