The heartwarming film We Bought a Zoo, starring Matt Damon, is inspired by a true story, but takes significant liberties with the actual events of Benjamin Mee’s experience. While the core premise of a grieving widower purchasing a dilapidated zoo and attempting to restore it is factual, many details regarding characters, timelines, and dramatic occurrences are heavily fictionalized for cinematic effect.
The Real Benjamin Mee: Beyond the Hollywood Hype
The film paints a picture of an American father relocating his family to rural England. However, the true story originates with Benjamin Mee, a British journalist and adventurer. He and his family did indeed purchase Dartmoor Zoological Park in Devon, England, in 2006, following the death of his wife, Katherine. This purchase aimed to provide a unique environment for his two children, Milo and Ella, and to prevent the zoo from closing down, safeguarding the animals within.
The reality, as with many film adaptations, differs substantially from the Hollywood narrative. The film simplifies complex situations and introduces fictional characters and conflicts to enhance the entertainment value. While the essence of overcoming adversity and finding solace in a shared mission remains, the specific events portrayed in the movie are not entirely accurate.
Comparing the Film and Reality: Where Does Fiction Take Over?
The film portrays a whirlwind purchase and immediate immersion into zoo life. In reality, the process was far more protracted and involved substantial due diligence. Benjamin Mee and his family spent considerable time evaluating the zoo, negotiating the purchase, and securing the necessary permits and licenses.
Furthermore, the character of Kelly Foster, played by Scarlett Johansson, is entirely fictional. While there were dedicated and passionate zookeepers at Dartmoor, her romantic subplot with Benjamin Mee is a fabrication. The film also exaggerates the financial difficulties faced by the zoo and creates dramatic tension through the impending inspection by a strict animal inspector, an event that, while based on real regulations, is presented in a significantly more heightened manner than what occurred in reality.
The film’s timeline is also condensed. The challenges of running the zoo spanned several years, while the movie compresses these events into a shorter period. This condensation serves the narrative but sacrifices the nuanced complexities of managing a struggling zoological park.
The Legacy of Dartmoor Zoological Park
Despite the fictionalized elements, We Bought a Zoo undeniably brought attention to Dartmoor Zoological Park and the vital work of animal conservation. The film helped raise awareness about the challenges faced by small zoos and the importance of protecting endangered species.
Dartmoor Zoological Park continues to operate as a successful attraction, offering a haven for animals and an educational experience for visitors. The Mee family’s dedication to animal welfare and conservation remains at the heart of the zoo’s mission. While the film may not be a precise historical account, it captures the spirit of their endeavor and the unwavering commitment to providing a safe and enriching environment for the animals in their care.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About We Bought a Zoo
Here are some frequently asked questions addressing the accuracy and background of the film We Bought a Zoo:
H3: Was Katherine Mee’s death portrayed accurately in the film?
While the film depicts Katherine’s passing as a pivotal moment that spurs Benjamin to seek a new beginning, the specifics of her illness and the immediate aftermath are not entirely accurate. In reality, Katherine’s battle with a brain tumor was a longer and more arduous journey than portrayed in the film. The emotional impact on Benjamin and his children was profoundly real, but the film simplifies the complexities of grief and bereavement.
H3: Did Benjamin Mee really have a brother named Duncan, and was he involved in the zoo?
Yes, Benjamin Mee does have a brother named Duncan. While the film portrays Duncan (played by Thomas Haden Church) as a slightly cynical accountant who questions Benjamin’s decision, his actual involvement with the zoo was different. Duncan provided practical support and assistance to Benjamin during the early stages of the project, but his character in the film is embellished for comedic effect and dramatic contrast.
H3: How long did it take to get Dartmoor Zoo ready for its first inspection?
The film presents the inspection as a looming deadline, creating a sense of urgency. In reality, the process of preparing Dartmoor Zoological Park for inspection and meeting the required standards took significantly longer than the film suggests. It involved extensive renovations, staff training, and adherence to strict animal welfare regulations over several months, not just a few weeks.
H3: Is Kelly Foster a real person who worked at Dartmoor Zoo?
As mentioned earlier, Kelly Foster, the zookeeper played by Scarlett Johansson, is a fictional character. While dedicated zookeepers were indeed essential to the operation of Dartmoor Zoological Park, there was no specific individual with the same name or romantic connection to Benjamin Mee.
H3: What species of animals did Dartmoor Zoo house when Benjamin Mee bought it?
When Benjamin Mee purchased Dartmoor Zoological Park, it housed a diverse collection of animals, including tigers, lions, jaguars, bears, wolves, monkeys, and a variety of birds. The film showcases some of these animals, but the real zoo had a broader range of species.
H3: How much did Benjamin Mee actually pay for Dartmoor Zoo?
While the exact purchase price is not publicly disclosed, it is believed to be in the range of £1.1 million. The film does not specify a precise figure, but it implies a significant financial investment. The real cost also included extensive renovations and ongoing operational expenses.
H3: What is Benjamin Mee doing now?
Benjamin Mee continues to be involved with Dartmoor Zoological Park, although he is no longer the sole owner. He has written a book about his experiences, titled “We Bought a Zoo: The Amazing True Story of a Young Family, a Broken-Down Zoo, and the 200 Wild Animals That Changed Their Lives Forever,” which provides a more detailed and accurate account of the events. He also actively promotes conservation efforts and speaks at events about his experiences.
H3: Did the zoo really face imminent closure if the inspection failed?
While Dartmoor Zoological Park faced financial challenges and required improvements to meet regulatory standards, the threat of immediate closure depicted in the film was somewhat exaggerated for dramatic effect. Failure to meet inspection requirements would have resulted in restrictions and potential penalties, but complete closure was not necessarily the immediate outcome.
H3: How has the film We Bought a Zoo impacted Dartmoor Zoological Park?
The film had a significant positive impact on Dartmoor Zoological Park, increasing visitor numbers and raising awareness about the zoo’s conservation efforts. It provided a much-needed boost to the zoo’s profile and helped to secure its future.
H3: Is Benjamin Mee’s book, We Bought a Zoo, a more accurate portrayal of the events?
Yes, Benjamin Mee’s book offers a more detailed and accurate account of the events than the film adaptation. The book provides greater insight into the challenges, triumphs, and personal experiences of the Mee family during their time at Dartmoor Zoological Park.
H3: Are there any parts of the film that are particularly true to life?
While the film takes many liberties with the details, the underlying theme of finding purpose and healing through a shared mission resonates with the real-life experiences of Benjamin Mee and his family. The genuine love for animals and the dedication to conservation depicted in the film reflect the core values of Dartmoor Zoological Park.
H3: Was there really a bear escape at Dartmoor Zoo?
While the film includes a dramatic scene involving a bear escape, this event did not occur at Dartmoor Zoological Park under Benjamin Mee’s ownership. The film incorporates this incident to create suspense and highlight the potential dangers of working with wild animals.