Absolutely one of the films that defined a generation - Ring Of Bright Water was a huge success worldwide and is considered by many to be the best animal film.

The true story of a divorced insurance actuary who trades London and the 9-5 for Scotland because he bought an otter from a pet shop is simply brilliant. Based on Gavin Maxwell's excellent autobiography it translated very successfully to film.

Director Jack Couffer already a long career making classic animal films for Disney and had obviously never heard W C Field's famous line about never working with animals of children...here he adapted to a British sensibility and we end up with a film that is not sappy but rather genuinely magic. The cinematography by Walter Suschitsky is outstanding. Suschitsky went on to film the original Get Carter (....And not a lot of people know that ) The humans are great, but the otter (and other wildlife: the geese!) are truly amazing and lift this from ordinary to extraordinary. Maxwell actually bought the otter back from Iraq and it was discovered to be new subspecies which named by the London Zoological Society in his honour Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli.

If you vaguely remember seeing this first time round you'll definitely want to see it again, if you haven't I promise you'll see something you won't easily forget - it is charming in the best sense with Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna at their understated British best. Both heartwarming and heartbreaking: it is the otter and the beautiful settings that you'll remember.

One of our favourites ever.

A very simple plot: man disaffected with London life decamps to the Scottish wilderness accompanied by the tame otter he rescued from a pet shop. In Scotland he meets a woman and their mutual appreciation of the countryside and love of the otter brings them together. The film has a very bittersweet ending as a tragedy gives birth to a creative endeavour.

The film is autobiographical being based on a true story available as a book of the same name. It is subtle and unassuming making the most of the characters given its simple plot. The footage of the otter - called Mij - is fantastic and if you were indifferent to otters before I am confident you will love them after watching Mij. The connection between the man, Graham (played by Bill Travers),and Mij is funny and poignant.

This is a gem of a film. It offers so much without any of the manipulations in which many modern films indulge. I was absorbed watching it and it has stayed with me since seeing it. I recommend this highly. Be warned it is upsetting and if you decide to show it to a child there may be tears.

Graham Merrill is working in a dead-end job in London when he adopts an otter, Mij, as a pet. He soon realises that his small apartment is not the ideal place to keep an otter and figuring it is time to work on that book he always intended to write he quits and moves to a small cottage in an isolated village on the Scottish west coast. The change makes for some great adventures with Mij and also causes Graham to meet the beautiful town doctor, Mary MacKenzie.

One of the first films I remember seeing as a child and one that left a lasting impression on me. Rewatching it 40 or so years later and it seems no less sweet and emotional.

Starring (real-life husband and wife) Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna of Born Free fame plus two trained otters as Mij the film is a wonderful adventure, mixing the trials and tribulations of Graham as he shifts location and focus and makes new friends with the sweet joy, naughtiness, innocence and cuteness of Mij the otter.

The adventure culminates in a very poignant climax but the conclusion is uplifting and very emotional.

A movie for all ages, as my liking it at very young age as well as 40 years later will attest to.