From an executive producer at Oxford films regarding our beloved Flower's story.

"Sadly, Animal Planet has decided not to release it which, as you can imagine, we're all very sad about as it's a beautiful film. It's narrated by Whoopi Goldberg too, who loved it. Perhaps you and your fellow Meerkat Manor should start a campaign! ;-)

I believe it is going to be shown at Tribeca Film Festival later this month and may well go out on Animal Planet although, unfortunately, that is not the same experience at all. We made it specifically for the big screen and those meerkats really do look wonderful when they are the size of dinosaurs!"

Upon reading this e-mail, I could do nothing, but sit quietly, eyes shut and as often in the past, tears kept falling.

It was as if Flower had died once again.

Ccatz, where did you get this info from? I'm devastated!!!!

What?? I am so surprised and sad!

spfeiffer1996 - check out the post on 'Talk about MM Here' forum! They are going to show it on AP on May 25!

Miracles do happen. I will not care, small screen, big screen....as long as we can see our Flower!!!!!!!!!!!!

How disappointing that the film will not be released on the big screen. Some lucky meerkat lovers will at least get a chance to see the movie at the Tribecca Film Festival.

Glad to know that the film will be shown on AP. I agree with Ccatz, I am happy for the chance to see Flower whether its the big screen or small screen.

Perhaps we can look forward to the movie be released on DVD in the near future. The turnaround these days is quite fast.

Thanks for the updates. I can never find this information on the internet myself.

Flower has danced her way into my heart and remains there - just as all my four legged children who have crossed the bridge. Just thinking about this brings tears to my eyes. I would prefer to see our Flower on the big screen, but perhaps we can buy the video from AP if they show it. I was totally devistated when she died and I can still feel her loss as an ache in my heart.

But according to Jason, it will be shown on AP 'before it hits theaters or DVD'. Sounds like to me that it will still be at the theaters. Sounds to me like it will still be in the theaters, but either way, I'm glad we still will be able to see it.

THat....would be absolutely wonderful! Let's hope so so we can see it in both! It will be so strange to hear Shawn (and I hope its still Shawn!) not say "Meet Flower!" To be truthful, that's the very first thing that hooked me on MM. If the Meerkats runs for president and fill up the cabinet, they'd better make room for Shawn Astin in the cabinet!

Sigh..... even if it does make it to theaters, it probably will be limited release which means it most likely won't make it here to Pittsburgh
I'm glad they're showing it on Animal Planet though. It's not the same as the excitement of a Primiere on the big screen, but at least we'll get to see it.
I hope the October Meerkats movie makes it to the big screen.

You are so right Squirrellygirly, I was so hoping to be sitting in a theater full of Meerkat Manor fans and hearing their reactions and meeting some great people...

Hi everyone, I totally agree whth all the above Kats! I havn't been to a indoor sit down movie since the first Star Wars movie & my Son had to drag me to it. But to see our Flower in a MOVIE!!! OH my!! I was sooooo happy about it & have been watching & waiting for the anouncement of release! What a let down!! Oh well I'm glad that it will be on AP.
Thanks to you young people for your alartness & posting of the information on this forum or I'd still be waiting! Please don't stop! Thank You!
Mertcee

OK, Mertcee, I see we are the same age!

According to Jason it will still be in the theaters. AP is just going to show it on TV first.

Eruth

this is good news, thanks Jason. I already promised my daughter (3 1/2) she could go see it on the 'big tv'.

Let's hope so eruth, this is an extremely rare happening; the new Demi Moore and Michael Caine movie Flawless is actually debuting on the producer's HDNet TV channel two days before its theatrical release.

Hopefully the reference is not just to the TriBeCa premier. Let's keep all of our fingers, toes too, crossed for a theater release, even if it is just a limited one.

But as it will be on DVD....time for a new, big TV!

wait...so they are showing it on animal planet after all?

This is all very weird.
There is a great audience for a MM film narrated by WG, made by the Weinstein Group.
Why is it not being released!!!

I live 10 miles from NYC, so I am going, but would someone straighten this all out?

Well we all know our Flower has it all over Demi Moore and Michael Cain. There are lots of MM fans who would love to see this movie. Filling a theater should not be a problem. Why isn't it being released all over?

Melba you are the envy of all to get to TriBeCa to see The Story Begins, but do we know what will truly happen as far as the theater releases...I don't.

"Caroline" is the executive producer of both the movie and AP's MM. It is all very confusing & frustrating.

Time will tell....

What? The film is not being released? Even if it is shown on AP, I am still greatly saddened and disappointed by this

Hi bischionmom... Gee, and here, I thought I was the only one older than dirt!
Mertcee

[quote]Posted 04-06-08 08:26 PM Hi bischionmom... Gee, and here, I thought I was the only one older than dirt![/quote]
Nah

I have no idea why people are complaining that the movie will not be shown in theaters. First of all, they did not say it would not be shown in theaters, they said it will be aired to AP viewers before it is aired to the rest of the people. Second, not everyone would have been able to make it to theaters to see the movie. I have 2 jobs, go to school and volunteer at the zoo, there would be limited chances for me to see the movie. I am glad that AP is gracious enough to air the movie on its station. I understand that some people want to see it on the Big Screen, but, watch it on AP, then go see it in theaters.

It's great that the movie is going to be shown on AP.

I just can't help but wonder why the folks at AP are so reluctant to do a bona fide tribute to Flower.
Before she died her movie was going to be called "Queen of The Kalahari", after her death, it became "Queen of The Meerkats", now it's "The Story Begins".....they seem to be moving the focal point away from Flower.....it will be interesting to see how it's edited.
I am very happy to see that the film will finally make it to reality and will be sure to be glued to my tv on the 25th.

Flower4ever

I was looking forward to seeing the movie on the big screen. I would have gladly paid, and had plans to take several friends.

I wonder, why the change?

Well, as everyone said, I'll be glued to the screen regardless of where it is.

[quote]Before she died her movie was going to be called "Queen of The Kalahari", after her death, it became "Queen of The Meerkats", now it's "The Story Begins".....they seem to be moving the focal point away from Flower.....it will be interesting to see how it's edited.[/quote]

When the name was first changed I thought perhaps it was because it was the same as TCB's book, which I believed it to be based on; Flower's birth & early days until her death. Maybe, and this is purly my speculation, AP was asked to change the title.

The second title was good also.

But you know what, I really like Meerkat Manor: The Story Begins. It is as if the Story Mistress,(Flower) begins the narration of her life's tale & now asks us to join her on this incredible journey. We will listen & watch, laugh, love, cry and be totally mesmerized by the unfolding of this magnificent epic.

I am not giving up my hope of seeing the movie in a theater. I am scounting Indie cinemas around my burrow. You never know, AP's statement mention theater releases; hopefully that is not just the TriBeCa cinemas.

If it is, I will be in front of that TV on May 25, come H*ll or High Water!