Dambuster's dog gets new name for film remake
Film producers in America have axed the real name of a controversial character in the remake of The Dam Busters movie.
The name of Wing Commander Guy Gibson's pet labrador, Nigger, has been branded as "unacceptable" by Hollywood's money men.
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Guy Gibson (front right) with his dog Nigger.
Instead, the filmmakers are being forced to stray from historical accuracy and settle for the more politically correct Nidge.
Sir David Frost, who owns the rights to the film, said it will cause a huge problem.
He said: "We've been told that the word is simply unacceptable in America nowadays.
"This causes a huge problem because we want the film to be as historically correct as possible."
It was suggested that scriptwriters name the dog Digger, but Sir David said that wouldn't happen.
"I think we have reached a compromise in which we'll call him Nidge.
"Gibson did sometimes call his dog this, so there would be a historical precedent."
The film is to be directed by Peter Jackson of Lord of the Rings fame, with scriptwriter Stephen Fry providing the words.
It will depict the lives of the men of 617 Squadron, based at RAF Scampton, near Lincoln, in particular its leader Gibson.
The squadron carried out an attack on the Ruhr dams in Germany during the Second World War in an attempt to hit the Nazi war effort.
WEBCHAT: The film-makers are right to change the dog's name, says Echo Editor Jon Grubb. Join and vote in the Editor's Debate, live online now, by clicking here.
For more on the name controversy, see Wednesday's Echo.
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by Malcolm Kirkby, New Zealand
Wednesday, July 15 2009, 7:30AM
“What if some people think that the Dams raid never happened? Then they would have to consider not making the film in case it transgresses some peoples definition of "real" history (If so, perhaps then they could release it as an epic fiction starring Sly Stallone as Göring, and nobody would take anything seriously)”
by Graham, Cheshire
Friday, November 21 2008, 6:50PM
“As you can see my original post had the name deleted.
The name is N1gger and is historical fact!
This will probably be ******ed as well.”
by Graham, Cheshire
Friday, November 21 2008, 6:45PM
“Typical Americanism again. We saw it with them changing historical fact about the enigma code breaker and now the name of the dog and the code for breaching the dam is to be altered.
The code and the dog's name was "NIGGER" and this should not be changed, just to please the minority and of course the bloody Yanks!”
by It's Spelt With An A, Okay?, Unknown
Sunday, October 05 2008, 7:05PM
“Imagine, on the first scene of the movie, the dog appears on the frame, after being called over by its owner. Now, think about the particular emotion that the audience would be experiencing at that point, presumably. This name cannot be in conflict with the emotion that the scene is attempting to deliver, otherwise it may overrule the scene in a comical or an offensive way. Therefore, it is an appropriate name change.”
by Lord Lucan, It a secret
Thursday, October 02 2008, 6:41PM
“A Black Dog Once Has a Understandable Name:::::::It a Shame.”
by true brit, navenby
Thursday, October 02 2008, 1:24PM
“leave the dog alone”
by Dambusters fan, Surrey
Thursday, October 02 2008, 1:09PM
“I grew up in the era when WW2 fighters were heroes. "The Dam Busters", "The Cruel Sea", "The Colditz Story" etc. I am looking forward to seeing the new film.
The key point is that tGibson selected the name of his dog as the code word for a successful raid.
If , 65 years after the event , with the evolution of culture and language, the name of the dog creates a problem then let's simply change it. For heaven's sake! It's a film for entertainment not an attempt at a fully accurate re-creation. Make the dog a golden labrador and call it 'Goldie' or an Old English sheepdog and call it 'Shep'. It doesn't affect the story.
Steve McQeen as an American in the British POW camp Stalag Luft III was historically inaccurate but it didn't spoil the story. Playing the film as theUS air force with B17s WOULD be wrong.”
by Old White Geezer, Hitchin
Thursday, October 02 2008, 11:27AM
“For ***** read rotmj, just move the letters on one place.”
by Old White Geezer, Hitchin
Thursday, October 02 2008, 11:17AM
“Some years ago I was called a spunk-monkey by a belligerent young coloured guy, it was meant as an insult but it just amused me - I call myself the same occasionally. As far as the original film goes you have to admit that the 'special effects' of the explosions and the bursting of the dams was pathetic. The reason films like this are made in America and not here is that we belittle our own heroes, can't see a good story when it stares us in the face and have a pathetic film industry. If the Yanks do what we decide not to do, with their money, what right do we have to criticize? Do what I do, don't watch the films. Hugh Grant as Guy Gibson any one?”
by Kim K. Kull, BLACKburn
Thursday, October 02 2008, 10:45AM
“Some commenters state that if N-igger is not removed the film would be boycotted! Who would do this boycotting? Mainley a small group of people with negro origins, with some support from white wannabies. Would this group of people see the movie anyway? would they fork out to see a historical drama unfold about mainly white British heroisem during WWII, i very much doubt it! Good to see my rights and the rights of every subject in the UK stomped all over by a minority! PREDJUDISTS, RACEISTS are all alive and well, and when the majority population are unable to say, black bag. blackboard or black out, but words like White trash are aloud, I hope the butt-munching, librals accept the blame..”