ZOO

UK, 2017, 97 minutes, Colour.

Ari Parkinson, Penelope Wilton, Toby Jones, Ian Mc Elhinney, Amy Huberman, Ian O'Reilly, Emily Flain, James Stockdale, Stephen Hagan.

Directed by Colin McIvor.

This is a story from Northern Ireland, a tale told for a family audience, and for a children’s response to animals in zoos, animals in danger. It is based on a true story, but focusing on the children rather than the woman who actually cared for the elephant at the time of the bombardment by the Luftwaffe, Belfast 1941, Denise Weston Austen. She is a character in this film, significant, but subordinate, dramatically, to the children.

In the aftermath of the blitz on London and other British cities, there was a bomb raid on Belfast in 1941. A decision was made by the government, perhaps callous of the time, seemingly callous in retrospect, that the animals in the Belfast zoo were to be destroyed in case the bombardment freed them and they were a danger to the public. Particularly difficult was the case of the elephant, nicknamed Buster, and the attempts of children to save it from being destroyed.

The focus is on Tom, Ari Parkinson, Game of Thrones), devoted to his father who worked at the zoo but was called up for military service, his mother being very busy at the local hospital. He is bullied at school, ganged up on, and one of the boys, Pete, who has a 3 foot teen brother with disabilities, Mickey (a strong presence present by James Stockdale, with plenty of witty lines), persuaded to join him in his quest to save the elephant. There is another young girl, Jane (Emily Frain) with a difficult background at home.

Tom is able to move in and out of the zoo because of his father, though under suspicion of the security guard played by Toby Jones. There is also the vet who is friendly, but helpless, sympathetic towards the animals. And, there is finally, Denise Austen herself, played by Penelope Wilton, seemingly something of an eccentric madwoman with plenty of animals at home, but sad memories of family and deaths, but persuaded by Tom and his concern, keeping the elephant protected in the yard of her house – with several difficulties, the youngsters bringing food, the police and inspection and Denise warding them off.

And, there is the reality of the bombardment and its effect on ordinary people, families, and Tom’s mother and her work at the hospital. There is also concern about Tom’s father and his being wounded.

Animal lovers and, especially, those against cruelty to animals, will enjoy watching this film, cheering on the children.

1. Based on a true story, characters, the real story of Denise Weston Austen and her protection of the elephant and other animals? This story amplifying the role of the children? The children’s and family audience?
2. The Belfast setting, homes and families, school, classes, bullying, friendships? The war, Northern Ireland as part of the United Kingdom, the bombardments?
3. The focus on the children, on Tom, his age, devotion to his father, admiration for his work at the zoo, admiration for his mother, nurse and duty at the hospital? Pete, with the gang, antagonistic, Mickey, his disabilities, but charm and wit, Jane, her background, friendship with Tom, joining the group?
4. The situation with the animals, the government decision to destroy the animals in case they were a danger roaming free doing bombardment? The reaction to the decree? The transferring of so many of the animals? Some being put down? The police, the vets, the young vet and his concern? The security guard, strict, but his dismay about the animals?
5. Tom, the plan, the details of working with the elephant, Buster, the friends, the night, the dangers of bombardment, of being caught, the role of Denise?
6. Denise, her age, experience, animals, the house, sad memories of her past? Tom, her suspicions? Their eventual bonding? Her agreement to take the elephant?
7. The escape, the timing, the dark, the dangers, the behaviour of Buster, get him out of the zoo, the streets, to Denise’s house?
8. Concealing Buster, in the yard, the devices, the camouflage? The issue of food and supply? The visits of the children?
9. Jane, the friendship with Tom, her wanting to be in on the action, Tom allowing her, the scenes between them on the hills? The bombardment? Her death?
10. The comedy in the concealing of Buster, the tension, the eventual Revelation, Tom and his father, his mother, getting the elephant back? The security guard and his being more mellow?
11. A variation on Noah’s ark story!