Over Sea, Under Stone

Over Sea, Under Stone is a 2003 fantasy film based on the novel written by Susan Cooper. Directed by Chris Columbus from a screenplay by himself and Laurie Craig, the film stars Ben Savage, Evan Rachel Wood, Dylan Sprouse, Ben Affleck, Charlize Theron, Albert Finney, Hugh Grant, and Frances McDormand and tells a story of the three children on a holiday with their parents. The family met Merriman Lyon, their old friend, where they recognize a drawing of the coastline. So the children has to keep the discovery by themselves without letting Mr. Withers and his sister know.

The film was released on May 9, 2003 in the United States, by DreamWorks Pictures. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, it grossed $342 million worldwide over its $100 million budget.

Plot
The Drew children Simon, Jane and Barney wish to go on a holiday with their parents. Simon asks his parents for the family vacation. Mr. Drew then accepts his offer when all of his children can be good. The children then visits the seaside village with their parents to stay with their old friend, Merriman Lyon. They rent the Grey House from Merriman's friend Captain Toms so that the children can play. The Drew children then finds an attic while Barney discovers a drawing of the coastline that represents a map or manuscript.

One day, the Drew family is visited by the tourists Norman and Polly Withers, who invite them to go fishing in the yacht. Simon and Barney accepts their invitation, but Jane feels very suspicious that the Withers might trick both Simon and Barney into their traps and she declines to join them. While fishing, Simon, Barney and the Withers then all have conversations about the secret map the Drew family saw, which makes the Withers feel jealous. While Jane is alone, she find a guidebook to Trewissick in an old trunk. After reading the guidebook, she then realizes that the map in the guidebook is similar to a drawing that Simon and Barney found, but also different, and it was being written by the vicar.

Jane then visits the vicar to explain how he drew the the map in the guidebook. The vicar stated that he has not written the guidebook, but was willing to help Jane if she wants. Jane asks for help about the missing treasure of Trewissick, but the vicar asks questions that rose Jane's suspicions. She refused to answer his questions and then returned home while Simon and Barney returned from conversations with Norman and Polly Withers. Jane then explains to Simon and Barney about a similar map to the one that they both found before everyone went to sleep.

Another night, while everyone is asleep, Simon woke up and found out that the Grey House was being robbed. Simon then wakes up the two children, so they all went back to Merriman Lyon for the maps they found. He explains that the maps are the way to the hidden treasures, but warns them that they will be in danger when looking for the treasures. The Drew children understands Lyon's advise and they began their quest. Meanwhile, Mr. and Mrs. Drew went to boating, but were wondering how their children were doing. While looking for the first clue of the map, Simon is chased by Bill Hoover Jr. and Mr. Hastings. Jane then realizes that Mr. Hastings (who Jane thought of a vicar) she saw is actually the Dark agent. She and Merriman Lyon defeat Bill Hoover Jr. and Mr. Hastings before they can take the first manuscript. While leading to the second clue, Simon, Jane, Barney, and Merriman Lyon were almost caught by Norman and Polly Withers, who revealed themselves to be the agents of the Dark and intended to take the maps/manuscripts. Merriman admitted that he misdirected and he tells Simon, Jane, and Barney search for the Grail without him.

Barney was kidnapped by Norman and Polly Withers. While Simon and Jane were going to rescue him, Norman demands them to give him the maps/manuscripts or he and his sister will not let Barney out. Both refused and their parents stop Norman and Polly Withers to rescue their children. Afterwards, the children discover the Grail, but unfortunately, they lost an important second manuscript that has the key inside. The children then present the Grail to the British Museum and they received a check for it.

Cast

 * Ben Savage as Simon Drew, the eldest of the three children.
 * Evan Rachel Wood as Jane Drew, the middle of the three children.
 * Dylan Sprouse as Barney Drew, the youngest of the three children.
 * Ben Affleck and Charlize Theron as Norman Withers and Polly Withers, the over-friendly tourists who invite the Drews on their boat and were secretly agents of the Dark.
 * Albert Finney as Merriman Lyon, an old friend of the Drew's family and the children's mentor.
 * Hugh Grant as Mr. Drew, the father of the Drew family.
 * Frances McDormand as Mrs. Drew, the mother of the Drew family.
 * TBD as Bill Hoover Jr., Norman and Polly Withers' helper.
 * TBD as Mr. Hastings, the agent of the Dark who lets Jane believe he is the vicar.

Development
In 1997, DreamWorks Pictures bought the film rights for Susan Cooper's 1965 novel Over Sea, Under Stone. Producer Chris Columbus expressed interest in directing and writing the screenplay of it, while also producing it through 1492 Pictures banner. Columbus stated, "When children remembers reading novels like this, I'm interested on the very first novel." In 2000, Laurie Craig joined to co-write with Columbus also stating it will be faithful to Susan Cooper's novel. Ben Savage was in talks for his lead role in summer 2000. The rest of the cast was announced in December 2001, including Evan Rachel Wood, Dylan Sprouse, Ben Affleck, Charlize Theron, Albert Finney, Hugh Grant, and Frances McDormand.

Filming
Principal photography began in July 2002 in the United Kingdom after Columbus wrapped up Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Julio Macat was hired as director of photography in September 2002. Principal photography ended in December 2002.

Music
James Horner composed the music for the film. Its soundtrack was released on April 29, 2003, by DreamWorks Records.

Release
Over Sea, Under Stone was originally set for release in November 2002. In January 2002, DreamWorks announced that the film has been delayed to May 2003, allowing more time for Chris Columbus to work on his second directed Harry Potter film before he starts working on the film.

Marketing
The teaser trailer of the film was released on November 13, 2002 and was attached into Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in theaters. The official trailer was released on February 14, 2003 and was attached into The Jungle Book 2 in theaters.

Box office
Over Sea, Under Stone grossed $131.7 million in the United States and Canada and $211.2 million internationally for its worldwide total of $342.9 million over its $100 million budget.

Critical response
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 64% based on 98 reviews, and an average rating of 6.1/10. On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 57 out of 100, based on 37 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".

Home media
Over Sea, Under Stone was released on VHS and DVD on September 23, 2003, by DreamWorks Home Entertainment. The film was released on HD DVD on November 27, 2007, and on Blu-ray on December 16, 2008.