Although animals had been a mainstay of many Disney live action films, there was a spate of animal films (such as Born Free) from other studios in the late 1960s and 1970s. Ring of Bright Water has as its real star a very likeable and entertaining otter, and his antics are a delight. The movie does drag a little bit and doesn't dig deeply into its characters; Graham's "I'm bored with and wasting my life" excuse at the start of the film is not convincing enough, and there's no exploration of exactly why this man develops such a strong (and potentially disturbing) bond with this otter or of what it really means to him to leave his secure life and become a beachcomber. Nor is the character of Mary given much inner life, and the supporting roles are so small as to defy in depth characterization. However, the story itself is irresistible, and the often gorgeous scenery is a treat; the shots of the sun making a dazzling diamond of the sea are simply glorious. And there's always Mij the otter, grunting, slipping, and swimming with an infectious joy. Parents, however, should be warned that his death may disturb young viewers. Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna followed Ring with the vastly inferior An Elephant Called Slowly.