# A Turtle's Tale: Sammy's Adventures

A Turtle's Tale: Sammy's Adventures (known as Sammy's Adventures: The Secret Passage in the progress) is a 2010 animated romantic adventure film co-produced and directed by Ben Stassen. The film was released on 12 June 2010 in California, and on 11 August 2010 in France. The British version features the voice talents of Dominic Cooper, Gemma Arterton, John Hurt, Kayvan Novak, and Robert Sheehan; the US version stars Yuri Lowenthal, Anthony Anderson, Tim Curry, Kathy Griffin, Melanie Griffith, and Jenny McCarthy.

## Plot

In 1959, Sammy, a green sea turtle, hatches on a beach in Baja California and is caught by a seagull. However, he escapes with another hatchling named Shelly. After Sammy wakes up, the waves push the raft he is on into the water.
Sammy and Ray, a leatherback sea turtle, use the raft as a home. However, they are left homeless after it collapses and are separated after Sammy is caught in a net. In 1969, Sammy is taken in by hippies who are eventually evicted from the beach and leave him behind.
Sammy returns to the ocean and reunites with Shelly. The two travel the world searching for a "secret passage" before being separated after trying to pass a lock. Sammy meets an elderly turtle couple who inform him that Shelly is alive, giving him hope.
Sammy travels to Antarctica, where he encounters a whale and asks her for help. However, the whale draws the attention of whalers who damage the refrigerator Sammy had been using as a boat. Sammy, injured and suffering from frostbite, is recovered by Greenpeace workers.
On the Greenpeace ship, Sammy reunites with Shelly, who is also recovering from frostbite. He is transported to a Monterey-based animal center and rehabilitated before being returned to the ocean, where he reunites with Ray and marries Shelly. In 2009, Sammy watches his grandchildren hatch alongside Ray.

## Cast

| Character | Voice actor | Voice actor |
| Character | United Kingdom | United States |
| Sammy | Dominic Cooper | Yuri Lowenthal (young) Billy Unger (hatchling) |
| Shelly | Gemma Arterton | Jenny McCarthy (young) Isabelle Fuhrman (hatchling) |
| Ray | Robert Sheehan | Anthony Anderson (young)Carlos McCullers (hatchling) |
| Fluffy | Kayvan Novak | Tim Curry |
| Sandra | Christine Bleakley | Sophi Bairley |
| Snow | Melanie Cooper | Melanie Griffith |
| Jacko | Geoff Searle | Scott Menville |
| Slim | Kayvan Novak | Charlie Adler |
| Vera | Anjella Mackintosh | Kathy Griffin |
| Ben | Ben Bishop | Al Rodriego |
| Rita | Sohm Kapila | Roxanne Reese |
| Robbie | Kayvan Novak | Darren Capozzi |
| Ollie | Ben Bishop | Yuri Lowenthal |
| Sandra | Christine Bleakley | Sophi Bairley |
| Old Sammy / Narrator | John Hurt | Stacy Keach |
| Penguins | Ben Kroll | Bill Tom |
| Old Female Turtle | N/A | Pat Carroll |
| Seals | Stacy Matt | Johnny Kroll |
| Eagles | Ben Searle | Bill Reese |

## Music

Music for the film was composed by Ramin Djawadi. American pop singer Bruno Mars contributed several songs to the film, including "Count On Me" and "Talking to the Moon". Other songs in the film include "Free" by Donavon Frankenreiter, "Happy People" by Dry Spells, "Love Today" by Mika, "Star Jingle Bells" by Justin Lavallee, "California Dreamin'" by The Mamas & the Papas, "Love Will Find a Way" by Mishon, "You're Not Alone" by Self, "Love Child" by Fibes, Oh Fibes!, and "Shark in the Water" by V V Brown.

## Reception

Sammy's Adventures received mixed reviews from critics and audiences. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 44% of 18 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.5/10.
Sandie Angulo Chen of Common Sense Media rate the film three stars out of five, stating that the film's "noticeable improvement to Stassen's other historical drama Fly Me to the Moon." She also notes that the story is "more accessible to kids," the characters are "better developed," and the messages aren't as "preachy." She said about the film is too similar to Pixar's Finding Nemo, but, in conclusion, "it may not be Pixar, but it's a surprisingly educational pick for younger kids with a curiosity about the sea." Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian rated the film two stars out of five, writing that the film comparison of Finding Nemo, "of which its visuals and script are a feeble copy, it looks underpowered and the voice-work is often a bit laboured." He also wrote that the film's message is "laudable" for "something earnest, lifeless and school-projectish about the whole affair." Beth Cook of The Mancunion wrote of the film that the animation is "unparalleled." She criticised that the film's "lack of direction almost ruins what otherwise could plausibly be described as an 'emotional rollercoaster'," initially rapid pace of the film, and "annoyingly rushed" ending. She also notes that the message of the film is "irritatingly moral undertone."

## Sequel

A sequel to the film, entitled A Turtle's Tale 2: Sammy's Escape from Paradise, also known as Sammy's Great Escape in the UK, was released in Belgium on 15 August 2012.