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Search forDambuster's dog gets new name for film remake
Wednesday, October 01, 2008, 07:30
The name of Wing Commander Guy Gibson's pet labrador, Nigger, has been branded as "unacceptable" by Hollywood's money men.
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.
Guy Gibson (front right) with his dog Nigger.
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