Reviews (64)

Best Film of the 80's
Screw "Raging Bull." This quiet little Disney film from the mid-80's will knock your socks off. Carroll Ballard works wonders with this exquisite movie based on Farley Mowat's tales of wilderness in the Arctic. BY FAR the best of the early Disney "attempts" at more adult storytelling. And BY FAR the best score Mark Isham has ever produced. I've seen the film a dozen times, and cannot WAIT to see the quality of the Anchor Bay widescreen release. Check out the Mark Isham Score (available on Amazon.com). The only thing missing is the cool music from the mouse eating scene...sorry for the spoiler!

Fine fictionalized documentary ahead of its time
This fictionalization of the Farley Mowat book about his Arctic adventures studying wolves is amazingly enough perhaps the most controversial film Disney studios ever made. How sad is that? The reasons for the controversy would seem minor: first, the movie is not entirely true to Mowat's book; two, it's lightly plotted; and three, a man is seen running around naked in the tundra. To which I say, so what? so what? and gee, how offensive. (Maybe they should have clothed the wolves.)

The latter complaint is the major reason for all the ranting by some "reviewers." To them a Disney film showing human nakedness seems a sacrilege and they want their bowdlerized world returned to them, and they want Disney censured and made to promise never to do anything like that again! The complaint that there wasn't enough tension in the film is also off base since this is a contemplative, even spiritual film, not a slick thriller. People with sound-bite attention spans who need to mainline exploding cars and ripped flesh to keep them interested need not apply.

The criticism that Director Carroll Ballard's film is not entirely true to the book is legitimate, but I would point out that movies are seldom if ever entirely true to their source material. A film is one kind of media with its particular demands while a book is another. It is impossible to completely translate a book into a movie. Something is always inevitably lost, but something is often gained. Here the cinematography and the beautiful musical score by Mark Isham are fine compensations.

The acting by Charles Martin Smith as "Tyler" (Farley Mowat) and Brian Dennehy as Rosie, the exploitive redneck bushpilot, and Samason Jorah as Mike the compromised Inuit (who sells wolf skins for dentures) and especially Zachary Ittimangnaq as Ootek, the quiet, wise man of the north are also pluses. Note how compactly the main issues of the film are exemplified in these four characters. Indeed, what this film is about is the dying of a way of life, not just that of the wolves, but of the Inuit people themselves who are losing their land and their resources while their young people are being seduced away from what is real and true and time-honored for the glittering trinkets of the postmodern world. This is a story of impending loss and it is as melancholy as the cold autumn wind that blows across the tundra.

What I think elevates this above most nature films is first the intense sense of what it would be like for a lower forty-eight kind of guy to survive in a most inhospitable wilderness, and second the witty presentation of some of the scenes. Ballard works hard to make sure we understand that it is cold, very cold and desolate and that there are dangers of exposure and weather and just plain loss of perspective that have killed many a would-be adventurer and might very well kill Tyler. I think it was entirely right that near the end of the film we get the sense that Tyler is going off the deep end emotionally, that the majestic and profoundly melancholy experience has been too much for him.

Tyler begins as a greenhorn biologist dropped alone onto a frozen lake amid snow covered mountains rising in the distance so that we can see immediately how puny he is within this incredibly harsh vastness. The following scene when Ootek finds him and leaves him and he chases Ootek until he drops, and then Ootek saves him, gives him shelter, and leaves again without a word, was just beautiful. And the scenes with the "mice" and running naked among the caribou and teaching Ootek to juggle were delightful. The territorial marking scene was apt and witty and tastefully done. (At least, I don't think the wolves were offended.)

This movie was not perfect, however. For one thing, those were not "mice" that Tyler found his tent infested with. I suspect they were lemmings posing for the cameras. Those who have seen the film about the making of this movie undoubtedly know what they were; please advise me if you do. Also the "interior" of Tyler's tent was way too big to fit into the tent as displayed. Also it would be important from a nutritional point of view for Tyler to eat the "mice" raw as the wolves did! (The actual creatures that Mowat ate I assume were mice.) If Tyler had to exist purely on roasted and boiled rodent for many months, he would encounter some nutritional deficiencies. Still, eating a diet of the whole, uncooked mouse would be sustaining whereas a diet of lean meat only would not. (Add blubber and internal organs for an all-meat diet to work.) Incidentally, the Inuit people get their vitamin C from blubber and the contents of the stomachs of the animals they kill.

Where were the mosquitos and the biting flies that the tundra is infamous for?

Since this movie appeared almost twenty years ago, the public image of the wolf has greatly improved and wolves have been reintroduced to Yellowstone Park. I think everybody in this fine production can take some credit for that.

Great movie and great book!
This was one of the first (and few) books I read for fun while I was growing up. Then when the movie came out, it was the icing on the cake. Today I'm ordering it for my dad for Father's Day in rememberance of "back then." I can't wait to watch it with him after all these years.

lol @ one star reviewers!
I find the one star reviews of this movie amusing.Its sad that people condemn this movie just because they are hyper and easily bored and entertained only by blood and violence.The same movie that bores the aforementioned fools will satisfy more intelligent and philosophical individuals that have more interest in the natural world.As an animal lover and animal welfare activist,I enjoyed this film and can recommend it to anyone thats ever had an interest in nature and wildlife.Remember to order the wide-screen version,you`ll see the film as it was meant to be seen.

proto "lost in translation"
Well, at least, I get the same sort of feeling from both films. I am biased--I love Alaska, the wilderness, and hate people. So the setting of this film works for me--something I picture in my mind when i am stuck in rush hour traffic. There is some slow moments in the plot. The movie has some feel-good undertones to it. However, the sound in most movies is merely a backdrop. In this, it really serves to move the film along, to connect on a different level. Sound plays into the plot. My favorite scene is when the scientist is sitting on a hill playing his oboe to a midnight Alaskan sun. There is something transcendent about that very scene. I almost see it as the connection of two worlds. Regardless, I would highly recommend it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Walt Disney studios had previously adapted Sheila Burnford's classic animal-adventure novel The Incredible Journey in 1963, and the story proves just as durable in this popular 1993 version, in which the heroic trio of animals are given voices provided by Don Ameche, Michael J. Fox, and Sally Field. They don't actually speak (like the clever critters in Babe), but we hear their "voices" as the lost household pets--Shadow the golden retriever, Chance the bulldog, and Sassy the cat--survive a harrowing series of adventures as they struggle to find their way home.Perfect entertainment for kids, this frequently clever movie offers an abundance of wildlife and beautiful location scenery, and the vocal performances by Ameche, Fox, and Field are surprisingly effective. A hit with parents and children alike, the film was followed by a sequel in 1996. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (41)

great family entertainment
i love this movie as much as my children. we saw it two times in the theater and countless times at home.michael j fox is the perfect choice for the voice of chance the pup. i also love don ameche as shadow the older dog and sally field as sassy the cat.the movie is a great combination of humor and adventure, plus the scenery is just beautiful. even though i've watched the movie over and over,i always find myself crying at the ending.

Faithful pets overcome obstacles to reunite with family
This wonderful remake of the 1963 Disney feature rivals its predecessor in warmth and beauty. -- A family needs to relocate for a brief period, but cannot take along their 3 pets; a cat and two dogs. Left in good hands on a farm, the animals feel abandoned by their masters, determined to find them. The 3 pets 'escape' only to endure many challenges. Upon hearing what happened, the family begins a desperate search for their beloved pets. -- Of course, all ends well. This film does more than give a mushy account of a pet/master reunion; there are serious 'situations' dealt with honestly and with feeling. A stepfather at last is accepted by the children of his new wife. The ultimate triumph of this movie is the plea to NEVER LOSE HOPE!

One of the last great PG-rated movies
I haven't seen Homeward Bound in almost a decade (I eventually lost the VHS tape our family bought a few months after it hit theaters), but I have so many fond memories of it as a teen. I absolutely adored this movie back then, and I still do now. Homeward Bound is wonderful for all audiences, and it isn't something parents would hate sitting through. I've been going through all the movies I loved when I was young, and nearly all of them are entertaining for everyone, and didn't try to dumb anything down for their target audience. It's a shame that there's been a somewhat recent shift in what's "suitable" even for a PG movie. PG movies are much more tame than they were from before 1996. In this day and age, it seems that all G and PG-rated movies are made for the 10 and under crowd, but back before 1996 so-called "children's" movies were enjoyable for everyone from the kids they was meant to entertain all the way up to the adults who plunked their kids down in front of them. Homeward Bound was one of the last great PG movies that everyone could love. It's exciting, adorable, and funny. These are some of my favorite "edgier" G and PG movies that don't insult children by being too tame: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie (1990), Beetlejuice (1988), Return to Oz (1985), Labyrinth (1986), and The Last Unicorn (1982).

Heartwarming Nature Adventure with 3-Hankie Finale!
This is the wonderful remake of the 1963 Disney feature "The Incredible Journey" and rivals its predecessor in warmth and beauty. Both are based on a true story.

A family needs to relocate for a brief period, but cannot take along their 3 pets; a cat and two dogs. Left in good hands on a farm, the animals feel abandoned by their masters, determined to find them. The 3 pets 'escape' only to endure many challenges. Upon hearing what happened, the family begins a desperate search for their beloved pets.

Of course, all ends well. This film does more than give a mushy account of a pet/master reunion; there are serious 'situations' dealt with honestly and with feeling. A stepfather at last is accepted by the children of his new wife. The ultimate triumph of this movie is the plea to NEVER LOSE HOPE!*****

Better than the second. 16th april 2004.
Seen both, the first is a little bit better than the second. They are both very similar so if you hated the first, you probably wouldn't like the second. It is about 3 pets sassy, chance and shadow who's owners have just left to go on holiday. The 3 pets are left with a woman for a few days until the father as finished what he doing over there. The pets don't feel safe, so they decide to run off in the forests and lakes to find there family. It is a dangerous world out there with the lions and bears and mountain lions. But they spend a whole journey to find them. Chance dosen't like the pound, none of them do but he is mad on not going in again. They end up going there eventually, they are found safe and sound by police officers that have reported about them. But still they refuse to go to the pound, especcially chance he pulls and pulls to not get into danger again when actually they are trying to help them. There family are worried, they head off home to the pound where they have herd thats where they are. But the only thing is, they manage to get away from the pound and when there owners come to pick them up, they arn't there. They head home. But there family manages to get home first and still they haven't found them. They bark and meaow[sassy the cat] and they know it is them they are home at last. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Adapted from the beloved novel by Walter Farley, this 1979 family classic was hailed by no less than hard-to-please critic Pauline Kael, who wrote that "it may be the greatest children's movie ever made." A visual feast from start to finish, the timeless tale of The Black Stallion plays out on almost mythic terms. A young boy survives a shipwreck and is stranded on a deserted island with a graceful black stallion, with whom the boy develops an almost empathic friendship. After being rescued and returning home, the two make a winning team as jockey and lightning-fast racehorse under the tutelage of a passionate trainer, played by Mickey Rooney in an Oscar-nominated role. From its serenely hypnotic island sequence to the breathtaking race scenes, this delightful film is guaranteed to enthrall any viewer, regardless of age. The Black Stallion is a genuine masterpiece of family entertainment. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (53)

The most magical childrens' (& adults') movie ever made!
I have been completely enchanted with The Black Stallion since first seeing this movie in the theater at the age of 7 and then having the opportunity to meet Cass Ole in Washington, D.C. shortly thereafter. I remember being the first in line to have my picture taken with that horse!

I have never seen a movie more beautifully filmed. From start to finish you will be riveted during the trauma of the sinking freighter, the desert island scene (about 45 minutes with no speaking - you will be amazed at well they pull this off!), The Black's homecoming to New York and the final race.

I still watch this movie on occassion and my heart beats harder each time as Alec and The Black are rescued from the island and during the race. Still, my favorite scene is during the final credits where we return to the island and see Alec and The Black playing together and rolling in the sand on the beach as the most beautifully reminiscent music plays.

This is the stuff dreams are made of - I have always wanted to be Kelly Reno on that island!

Cinematography and visual storytelling at its best
If you can get past the labelling of "children's story" or "melodramatic fable", The Black Stallion has the kind of stunning filmwork reserved only for the grandest epics. The first half of the movie -- about a boy and horse shipwrecked on a small island -- is basically a silent movie. It is a story of friendship and trust that is told without the benefit of dialog. Deschanel's wonderful cinematography conveys both the island's beauty and Farley's storytelling without becoming maudlin or trite. The still photography alone brings to mind Adams, and the haunting score is near perfect for the occasion. The second half of the film reverts back to a formulaic Nerd-wins-Girl, or in this case, Boy-and-Horse-Win-Big-Race, but the performances are superb and the movie never patronizes to its adult viewers. Predictable ending aside, The Black Stallion is an awesome, visual masterpiece masquerading as a children's movie.

Great flick, poor DVD
The story and the cinematography were excellent. The transfer to DVD was very disappointing. It looked out of focus from time to time, the dark scenes were muddy, and there were film "remnants" in the transfer (scratches, film marks). And the sound, while Dolby, was 2.0 which was rather disappointing, too.
This isn't too recommend against it, just beware, it isn't the great audio/visual feast that it could be.

DON'T BE A HORSE'S PATOOT - SEE THIS MOVIE!
You don't want to miss out on this wonderful family film about a boy and his dog. The fact that Caleb Deschanel was not - huh? - a horse? Oh, yes, of course! A horse. A wonderful family film about a boy and his horse. -------- The fact that Caleb Deschanel was not even nominated for an Oscar for his extraordinary cinematography in THE BLACK STALLION goes to prove what a dog and pony show the Academy Award presentations really are. (Dang! How'd that dog sneak back in here again?) Deschanel's poetic work in this film belongs in an elite class which also includes KOYAANISQATSI and ONE FROM THE HEART. -------- Kelly Reno's work also belongs in an elite class of highly developed performances by child actors which also includes Bobs Watson in ON BORROWED TIME and Haley Joel Osment in THE SIXTH SENSE. -------- But what I really want to focus on with this review is something that only my fellow reviewer Candace Scott seemed to fully appreciate and note in her July 3, 2003 assessment: I was fortunate enough to have been given the opportunity to do a little (VERY little) professional acting in the late l970s and early '80s. It was a craft I seriously studied for many years, and having learned a bit about it, I'm here to say that MICKEY ROONEY's naturalistic performance in this movie is one of the finest ever filmed! I watch THE BLACK STALLION every couple of years and end up slack-jawed every time! -------- In acting there is something known as "False Notes", and these occur when a performer falls out of character and/or plays to the camera or audience. Even the greatest of thespians are guilty of committing False Notes in every performance. MICKEY's performance as horse trainer Henry Dailey may be the only PERFECT performance I have ever seen. Does it seem like he just isn't doing much? Does it seem like he's hardly even acting? EXACTLY!!! The viewer simply can't catch him "acting", and that's the whole point! His actions, his reactions, his speech patterns are so organic to the character he's playing that it simply floors me!!! He may have played a False Note for a brief moment in the scene where he reassures Alec who sits on the car bumper in the rain-soaked night. Maybe. MAYBE! It's arguable. I've seen many an extraordinary performance in my (nearly) 45 years, but this one is really something special. (You actors out there know exactly what I'm talking about, don't you?) There are many excellent reasons to see this film, but Mickey is the best of them. At least for me. -------- I suppose I should mention the movie's one notable flaw even though it is of such little consequence: The editing in the horse race always disturbs me a little. As they cut from the closeup on the thundering hooves to the long establishing shot and then back again, it leaves the false impression that The Black's position changes in the field of horses. But c'mon, are we gonna let a little detail like that spoil such an overall artistic success for us? No way! The bottom line is: THE BLACK STALLION is a real winner; you can bet on it!

the girl
i will like a boook on the girl. i will buy it for $5.00 ... Read more

Reviews (12)

I cried the entire time...
This is a heartwarming story of two tiger cubs separated when they were young, raised in very different environments, and finally reuniting through a sequence of events that could only be described as fate. The shots in this movie are breathtaking, and the tigers' performances put the human actors to shame. There were times when the tigers were talking to each other that I expected subtitles to pop up on the screen - so complex and expressive their language was, and indeed is. But, of course, you don't need subtitles to understand what they say, for they speak in a universal tongue that all beings across the cosmos can understand.

Beautiful Movie!
This movie, "Two Brothers" is magnificent! The script/storyline is great, the acting on the part of the Tigers is absolutely amazing, and best of all, you leave the movie theater with a smile on your face!
I must warn you however: This movie contains scenes that depict violence towards Animals. Of course, the Animals in the movie arent really hurt, but when you realize that things that happen in the movie actually go on in this cruel world that we live in, it will be sobering.
You may actually hate the human race a little after seeing this movie.
But, thankfully, a couple of humans redeem themselves (atleast in the movie they do) by movie's end.
The movie begins with the two precious, and beautiful Tiger cubs, Sangha and Kumal, as they frolic and play in the jungle with their parents.
Then, as usual, humans come along and ruin all that was once beautiful.
The Cubs are seperated and learn just how mean humans can really be.
But fate had something else in store, that the hunters hadnt counted on.........a beautiful, happy reunion of the Two Brothers that will leave a happy tear in your eye, a nice chill up and down your spine, and best of all, a toasty warm feeling in your Soul.
You'll even laugh a few times, too!
This movie accomplishes exactly what it set out to do: To make us realize that HUMANS ARE THE TRUE ANIMALS, AND THE TRUE PREDATORS, AND THAT IT'S UP TO US HUMANS WHO HAVE LOVE AND COMPASSION IN OUR SOULS, TO SAVE THESE BEAUTIFUL ANIMALS, FOR ANIMALS ARE GOD'S CHILDREN AS MUCH AS THE HUMAN ANIMAL IS!
Tigers are coming closer and closer to becoming extinct, and WE MUST ACT NOW OR THEY WILL BE FOREVER GONE FROM OUR PLANET!
We must NOT allow that to happen.
How do we prevent it?
By treating Animals, like the beautiful, precious Souls that they are. The same Souls that were created from God's loving hands, just like the human animals were.
This movie proves that Animal Souls, like human Souls, share love, and that love truly can conquer all!

Another great animal film from Annaud
"Two Brothers" tells the story of two tiger cubs, living in the jungles of Asia, who are suddenly split up when treasure hunters who are plundering a temple shoot the father tiger in self-defense. One of the tiger cubs, Kumal, is found by the expedition leader Aidan McRory (played by Guy Pearce). When McRory is thrown into prison, Kumal is sold to a gypsy circus. The other tiger, Sangha, escapes with his mother. Mother and son are separated during the Prince's hunting expedition, and Sangha is found in a cave by the son of the regional governor who brings the tiger home. But, determined to be a danger to the boy, he is given as a gift to the Prince. The tigers re-unite at a staged fight and manage to escape with McRory hot on their trail.

If you've ever seen Director Jean-Jacques Annaud's other animal film, "The Bear," it's told in much the same way -- very little dialogue between the human characters. The animal trainers and the director did an amazing job with the tigers so, at times, I could almost tell exactly what was going through the tigers' minds. Also, Annaud films some of the scenes from their point of view to give that additional depth to the characters. Guy Pearce shows some fine work as McRory who is torn between the spoils of hunting and his love of Kumal. Great scenic shots of the Asian jungles, too. It's just a great family film.

A rare diamond among children's films
"Two Brothers" is a very rare film among the bombastically stupid kiddie pleasers that have filled in the movie landscape for some time now. It does what the best children's films do: It rises above the genre in such a way that it is not a children's film. It supposes that children are intelligent, thoughtful, and emotionally eloquent, and these terms describe the film well. The story surrounds two tiger cubs separated by fate and how they change the humans with whom they interact. One is rescued by a hunter and the other is taken in by a young French boy. The film meditates on issues such as animal cruelty and the choices we make in regard to nature itself. Jean Jacques Annaud, known for films such as "Seven Years in Tibet", and the similar, "The Bear," has made a film of unusual power. As in "The Bear", the dialogue is kept to a minimum, and story is all the more eloquent for it. There is no rapid fire, sound bite dialogue. When the two human leads speak (a great white hunter played by Guy Pearce & young Freddie Highmore) they communicate through, simple, direct dialogue that is somehow more moving by sparing us drizzly speeches or dewey eyed sentimentality. The tigers are wonderous to watch. The movie was shot on High Definition Digital Video instead of film, which also helps with the special effects. The illusion is created by simply filming the animals and adding some CGI alterations here and there. The result is magical. This is somehting of an art house children's film, it feels like a French import and its pacing and visual style. It is distinctly "non-Americanized" and I am grateful for that. While film's like "Shrek 2" which is clever yet obvious dominate the box office, I am hopeful that audiences will discover this film either in its theatrical engagement or on video and DVD. Kids who have seen it have told me it is the best movie they have ever seen, which I think is due to the fact there are no longer any films that credit them with having an attention span or interest in a film that has a fully realized, emotional story (save of course PJ Hogan's spectacular version of "Peter Pan", another underrated gem). More than that, adults will be every bit as enchanted and as taken by suprise as I was.

"Two Brothers" theatrical release
My sister and I saw this movie today and what a wonderful movie! Being animal lovers, we did shed a few tears and fell in love with these lovable tigers, and was so glad that there was a happy ending - I loved the ending. I can't understand why this movie didn't do better at the box office. The tigers were so well trained and the human actors did a great job too! I plan to buy the DVD when it comes out so that I can watch it again. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

I cried the entire time...
This is a heartwarming story of two tiger cubs separated when they were young, raised in very different environments, and finally reuniting through a sequence of events that could only be described as fate. The shots in this movie are breathtaking, and the tigers' performances put the human actors to shame. There were times when the tigers were talking to each other that I expected subtitles to pop up on the screen - so complex and expressive their language was, and indeed is. But, of course, you don't need subtitles to understand what they say, for they speak in a universal tongue that all beings across the cosmos can understand.

Beautiful Movie!
This movie, "Two Brothers" is magnificent! The script/storyline is great, the acting on the part of the Tigers is absolutely amazing, and best of all, you leave the movie theater with a smile on your face!
I must warn you however: This movie contains scenes that depict violence towards Animals. Of course, the Animals in the movie arent really hurt, but when you realize that things that happen in the movie actually go on in this cruel world that we live in, it will be sobering.
You may actually hate the human race a little after seeing this movie.
But, thankfully, a couple of humans redeem themselves (atleast in the movie they do) by movie's end.
The movie begins with the two precious, and beautiful Tiger cubs, Sangha and Kumal, as they frolic and play in the jungle with their parents.
Then, as usual, humans come along and ruin all that was once beautiful.
The Cubs are seperated and learn just how mean humans can really be.
But fate had something else in store, that the hunters hadnt counted on.........a beautiful, happy reunion of the Two Brothers that will leave a happy tear in your eye, a nice chill up and down your spine, and best of all, a toasty warm feeling in your Soul.
You'll even laugh a few times, too!
This movie accomplishes exactly what it set out to do: To make us realize that HUMANS ARE THE TRUE ANIMALS, AND THE TRUE PREDATORS, AND THAT IT'S UP TO US HUMANS WHO HAVE LOVE AND COMPASSION IN OUR SOULS, TO SAVE THESE BEAUTIFUL ANIMALS, FOR ANIMALS ARE GOD'S CHILDREN AS MUCH AS THE HUMAN ANIMAL IS!
Tigers are coming closer and closer to becoming extinct, and WE MUST ACT NOW OR THEY WILL BE FOREVER GONE FROM OUR PLANET!
We must NOT allow that to happen.
How do we prevent it?
By treating Animals, like the beautiful, precious Souls that they are. The same Souls that were created from God's loving hands, just like the human animals were.
This movie proves that Animal Souls, like human Souls, share love, and that love truly can conquer all!

Another great animal film from Annaud
"Two Brothers" tells the story of two tiger cubs, living in the jungles of Asia, who are suddenly split up when treasure hunters who are plundering a temple shoot the father tiger in self-defense. One of the tiger cubs, Kumal, is found by the expedition leader Aidan McRory (played by Guy Pearce). When McRory is thrown into prison, Kumal is sold to a gypsy circus. The other tiger, Sangha, escapes with his mother. Mother and son are separated during the Prince's hunting expedition, and Sangha is found in a cave by the son of the regional governor who brings the tiger home. But, determined to be a danger to the boy, he is given as a gift to the Prince. The tigers re-unite at a staged fight and manage to escape with McRory hot on their trail.

If you've ever seen Director Jean-Jacques Annaud's other animal film, "The Bear," it's told in much the same way -- very little dialogue between the human characters. The animal trainers and the director did an amazing job with the tigers so, at times, I could almost tell exactly what was going through the tigers' minds. Also, Annaud films some of the scenes from their point of view to give that additional depth to the characters. Guy Pearce shows some fine work as McRory who is torn between the spoils of hunting and his love of Kumal. Great scenic shots of the Asian jungles, too. It's just a great family film.

A rare diamond among children's films
"Two Brothers" is a very rare film among the bombastically stupid kiddie pleasers that have filled in the movie landscape for some time now. It does what the best children's films do: It rises above the genre in such a way that it is not a children's film. It supposes that children are intelligent, thoughtful, and emotionally eloquent, and these terms describe the film well. The story surrounds two tiger cubs separated by fate and how they change the humans with whom they interact. One is rescued by a hunter and the other is taken in by a young French boy. The film meditates on issues such as animal cruelty and the choices we make in regard to nature itself. Jean Jacques Annaud, known for films such as "Seven Years in Tibet", and the similar, "The Bear," has made a film of unusual power. As in "The Bear", the dialogue is kept to a minimum, and story is all the more eloquent for it. There is no rapid fire, sound bite dialogue. When the two human leads speak (a great white hunter played by Guy Pearce & young Freddie Highmore) they communicate through, simple, direct dialogue that is somehow more moving by sparing us drizzly speeches or dewey eyed sentimentality. The tigers are wonderous to watch. The movie was shot on High Definition Digital Video instead of film, which also helps with the special effects. The illusion is created by simply filming the animals and adding some CGI alterations here and there. The result is magical. This is somehting of an art house children's film, it feels like a French import and its pacing and visual style. It is distinctly "non-Americanized" and I am grateful for that. While film's like "Shrek 2" which is clever yet obvious dominate the box office, I am hopeful that audiences will discover this film either in its theatrical engagement or on video and DVD. Kids who have seen it have told me it is the best movie they have ever seen, which I think is due to the fact there are no longer any films that credit them with having an attention span or interest in a film that has a fully realized, emotional story (save of course PJ Hogan's spectacular version of "Peter Pan", another underrated gem). More than that, adults will be every bit as enchanted and as taken by suprise as I was.

"Two Brothers" theatrical release
My sister and I saw this movie today and what a wonderful movie! Being animal lovers, we did shed a few tears and fell in love with these lovable tigers, and was so glad that there was a happy ending - I loved the ending. I can't understand why this movie didn't do better at the box office. The tigers were so well trained and the human actors did a great job too! I plan to buy the DVD when it comes out so that I can watch it again. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

FLIPPER-1963
Flipper 1963 is a good family film, but i dont like the chorus of what sounds like little childrens voices singing everyone loves the king of the sea, ever so kind and gentle is he, okay for a family film but it sounds like something that would make people think flipper is sappy and inspire put down jokes. One person said flipper is just a rehash of lassie, in some stories like the Ditching, where you hear go for help flipper were counting on you, youre our only hope but youll find stories like shark hunt or even flippers hour of peril quite different from lassie and the wolf cub. Flipper went more for adventure than the tearducts

Basic family fare...
The original Flipper movie is simple, and unpretentious tale that tickles the heartstrings. The story line is uncomplicated, with touches that keep it grounded in reality.

Chuck Connors, best known for playing Lucas McCain on "The Rifleman" TV program, is once again cast as a strong father figure. Here he is Porter Ricks, a fisherman trying to eek out a living, and support his wife (Kathleen Maguire) and young son Sandy (Luke Halpin). Life is very hard, as after surviving a hurricane, Porter must leave his family to repair his boat damaged in the storm.

While his father is away, Sandy is exploring the sea with some friends. A dolphin (Flipper), is shot with a spear by another boy in the party. The shooter is himself injured, and is taken away for medical attention. Sandy returns to the scene, with shotgun in hand, prepared to put the injured dolphin out of it's misery. Of course that can't happen, and Sandy brings the injured dolphin home.

Flipper's recovery is a most miraculous one, but the real story deals with the relationship between father and son, and the growth of the young man. Sandy is a good kid, but not syrupy sweet. Ricks loves his son, but is determined to have him face the realities of life. Thanks to Flipper, both father and son learn some valuable lessons in life.

The story of Flipper's origin, has a more serious tone than the TV program. Though it doesn't have a lot of warm and fuzzy moments, it is still fairly good family entertainment.

Flipper gets a great start
I grew up watching the Flipper TV series and it was always one of my favorites, so I couldn't wait to see the original movie that's humbly called "Flipper." It shows how Flipper earned his name and how he met his best friend named Sandy.

I liked this movie, but I don't like it as much as I like "Flipper's New Adventure." You won't see Flipper make any rescues this first time around, and he doesn't have the same 'voice' as he has in the series, but you will see the smart dolphin do plenty of tricks and show that he had a huge brain even in his first outing.

If you've ever liked the TV series or even if you haven't ever seen it, but you like dolphins or just good movies, I recommend getting "Flipper." It'd probably be especially good for kids of any age to watch, and possibly a good family movie. To make it short, it'd be a good buy.

If you love dolphins, this one's for you!
My nine-year-old daughter and I both love dolphins. We very much enjoyed this movie. The part where Flipper displays his talents at performing tricks is particularly endearing. It was good to hear the Flipper theme song in its entirety. I recommend it highly for family viewing - much more than the newer Paul Hogan version.

This is a great family movie.
If you're looking for a wholesome adventure that the whole family can enjoy, then this is a good choice. The family portrayed here exhibits good family values--respect for each other and for authority, responsibility, and they even pray! I found nothing objectionable in this video for my 5-year-old and I'm not easy to please. I highly recommend this version over the more recent one. ... Read more

Description

Sam is no ordinary dog. He is the son of Yeller, the four-legged hero who won your heart in Walt Disney's classic adventure, OLD YELLER. With his two young masters Travis and Arliss Coates (Tommy Kirk, Kevin Corcoran), gentle Sam faces even greater dangers than Yeller did. From the ferocious attacks of wolves and wildcats to the hostile actions of renegade Indians, Savage Sam presents a heartwarming story of love, devotion, and trust set in the sprawling pioneering days of the untamed West. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great Little Secret Found!!!!
I first caught this movie on the television and had no idea there was a sequel to Old Yeller. Although I haven't yet figured out how he turned out to be a blue tick coonhound, it is a wonderful movie. Seeing the boys from Old Yeller back at it and into things is wonderful. I couldn't wait to add it to my collection and was tickled that it was already on DVD when I looked for it. We need more movies like this! It is full of adventure and if you own coonhounds, it does them justice. I hate to say much about the movie because you need to watch it and I hate to know the ending or too much about one when I get one, but the saying boys will be boys is true for Arlis. There is nothing like the love of a child and his dog!!

Interesting Kirk/Corcoran vehicle
Disney cast Tommy Kirk and Kevin Corcoran as brothers 3 times, the younger Kevin tough, spunky, and "masculine," the older Tommy shy, sensitive, "feminine"...Here they are teenagers living alone in the Old West, visited from time to time by next-ranch neighbor Marta Kristen, who can't seem to remember that she's in a Disney movie, and stares at Tommy as if she's a moment away from ripping his clothes off.

All three are abducted by Indians, who intend to make Tommy a slave, Kevin a brave, and Marta a squaw (they leave Tommy and Marta pretty much alone, but their voracious manhandling of little Kevin would certainly be censored today) When Tommy is accidentally left behind, he teams up with the dog, Savage Sam, to rescue the others (although the fragile little thing loses consciousness at the drop of a hat). Eventually a posse of white men joins them, and they shoot the Indians and go home.

Aside from the anti-Indian prejudice, "Savage Sam" is superior...in plotting, characterization, and suspense. I loved Uncle Bill. . .um, I mean Uncle Beck (Brian Keith) strutting around in his flamboyant pink shirt as if daring us to draw conclusions about his character...

Fine, no frills presentation
Disney's "Savage Sam" is an entertaining and authentically staged presentation of the Fred Gipson story. It's presented in square-screen format, but since Disney films of this type were produced with eventual TV airings in mind, the cropping of the image is minimal and no action is lost. The quality of the image is good. It's not a "Vault Disney" piece like the other Gipson story, "Old Yeller," but it's worth having even without bells and whistles.

One thing that didn't age as well as the rest of the film is the title song. Really hokey. But after that's over, the story is told in a no-nonsense style. It dramatizes something Texas settlers contended with for four decades: the abduction of children in an Indian raid.

As befits a family film, "Savage Sam" soft-pedals the realities of such raids. Tommy Kirk's character, a teenage boy, would have been treated more harshly. Torture on the trail and a horrendous death upon arrival at the tribe's base camp would have been his fate. The teenage girl would have been raped right off. But Kevin Corcoran's character, a young child, would have been taken for adoption, just as the film shows, and the Indians' good-humored toleration of his combativeness is right in line with that.

All in all, a serious depiction of a slice of history that few Americans learn about in school anymore.

Glad to hear this movie is on dvd
I was excited when I heard that this movie would be released on DVD. It is another great dog movie by Disney and stars Tommy Kirk and Brian Keith with Sam(who looks like a bluetick coonhound). I would like to know about the picture quality of this dvd before I buy it. If anyone has seen this dvd, please let me know if it is worth buying.

Great Old Movie
One of the best old movies out there. I cant wait for it to come out on DVD. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Ethan Hawke, fresh faced and full of determination, tackles the icy wilds and rowdy boom towns of Alaska in Disney's 1991 adaptation of Jack London's turn-of-the-century gold rush classic. Though somewhat tamed for young audiences, the story of a city kid who befriends a feral half-wolf/half-dog orphan while learning to survive the dangers of nature and man has its share of peril and rousing scenes of wilderness adventure. But the humans are upstaged by both the animals (the standoff between White Fang and a wild brown bear is a highlight) and the Alaskan landscape, from the snow-covered mountains and frozen lakes of winter to the rich green forests and whitecap rivers of summer. The scenes of dogfights and wild wolves hunting game are carefully shot to avoid bloodshed (the opening disclaimer takes pains to remind viewers that all such scenes have been simulated), but they may still be too intense for young children. Recommended for 9 and up. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Incredible movie
Lush panoramic visuals, a great story, compelling acting (by humans and animals alike) and an absolutely superb musical score add up to one of Disney's finest live-action movies ever. I love the sweeping shots of the Alaskan and Yukon landscapes and the wildlife photography is terrific. A young Ethan Hawke was a first-rate choice for this film and he is complemented fantastically by Klaus Maria Brandauer. It's unbelievable to me that this DVD is in a full-frame pan and scan format, which cost it a full star in my rating. With the quality of this film's cinematography, the DVD deserves to have the best digital transfer and widescreen treatment. I also wish there was a soundtrack available, as the score is one of my all-time favorites, but that's a whole other subject!

I just love this movie
To me, this movie warms my heart. It offers a lot of things about human being. If you like movies about friendship, life, adventure. I think this one will not fail you. Btw if you don't like dogs, get Tom and Jerry.

A must see movie!!!
This is an absolutely incredible story that touches your soul and warms your heart. The development of the relationship between a younger and an older man, compliments and mirrors in many ways the development of the relationship between the young man and the wolf/dog. Compassion, trust, love, pain...all of these abound in this movie. In addition to the touching story is the awesome Alaskan landcape and sceenery. We own this movie and have watched it many times, yet we never tire of it's honesty. A highly recommended movie...You won't be dissapointed!!!

Heartwarming Movie
I think this is the movie that makes my heart warm up. This movie touches my heart in ways no other movie has. I think this is one of Disney's best works though the sequel was kind of bad. I highly recommend this movie to everyone.

An all-time personal favorite still not properly presented
Disney's White Fang is one of my all-time favorite films. Many don't see it as much of a cut above the average, but few films are as touching or as beautiful to me as this one is. A heart-warming story with good performances and photography that captures all the epic majesty of the Alaskan landscape.

So why does it only get three stars? Well, that's Disney's fault for releasing it only in full-frame format. A film of such awe-inspiring scenery and photographic grandure deserves to be seen in it's original widescreen aspect ratio. And if they can release the inferior and ridiculously useless sequel in anamorphic widescreen, one can only wonder why they wouldn't give this film the same treatment. I realize that sometimes pan-and-scan prints are the only ones available, but this film is not that old, and in any case the German DVD (the title over there is "Wolfsblut") was released in widescreen with an English audio track, so Disney must have a widescreen print in their possession.

Special features could have saved this release another star, but there's nothing here except a Spanish audio track. And with no extra content, Disney could have easily fit both widescreen and fullscreen versions on one disc.

To those who either don't have a widescreen preference or don't like this film enough to care, the subject of this rant will seem a minor quibble. If that is the case, then by all means rent (or buy) this film, as I still fully endorse it on its own merits. But for my own part I won't be touching this one until Disney wakes up and puts out a widescreen reissue. ... Read more

Reviews (33)

An engrossing family tale of courage and determination!
"Once in a generation an athlete pits himself against such overwhelming odds, that even the most jaded spectator finds himself cheering breathlessly"...

Iron Will is a moving true-life story about the determination and valor of one heroic young American who sets out to win a 500-mile dogsled race across the U.S. and Canada. Up against seemingly impossible odds, "Iron Will" Stoneman strives on to achieve his dream: to save his parents beloved farm and go to college; and somewhere along the way, the seventeen-year old boy becomes a man.

Although this movie is a bit formulaic and anyone can guess the Disney ending, that doesn't make it any less thrilling to watch; when I first saw this film in the theater, the whole room was cheering him on at the end! Definately worth your time to check out this great family-friendly film!

Iron Will
The story is about a 17 year old boy named Will. It takes place in Alaska. Their family worked on a farm, they were not very wealthy. But his father entered the dog sledding race, and Will went with him. His ftaher and the dog tried to cross the frozen river. The ice broke and his father fell in and died. After that, Will was determind to go to college. But his family didn't have enough money. So he entered the dog sledding race.
The story starts off with Will's father going into the race. During the race, his father falls into the frozen river and dies. Will decides after that. that he wants to go to college. But he doesn't have enough money, so he enters the dog sledding race. His mother doesn't want him to, because she is scared he migh die liek his father. But he does. He spends lots of time training and prearing for the race.So he enters the race as the youngest man. Will stays up late during the race, racing, instead of sleeping like the other racers, the other racers are not happy about this. And during the race, Will becomes very popular, because of a reporter making headlines about him. While racing, one of Will's dogs gets attacked by another racers dog. So Will has to decide to shoot him or keep him. He decides to take him along. Near the end of the race, Will is winning, and right before he gets to the finish line, he falls, and his dog that was hurt helps him up and they win the race.
I enjoyed this story alot because it was kind of sad, and it had a good storyline. It was very detailed, and made good points. I would recomend this story to other people. Especially people who like story's with action and reality. Because that is what this story is about.

Iron Will
I RECENTLY WATCHED 'IRON WILL' IN MY GEOGRAPHY CLASS AND I THINK ITS THE BEST MOVIE IVE SEEN IN MY LIFE. IT IS ABOUT A YOUNG MAN CALLED WILL STONEMAN AND HE IS QUITE POOR. WHEN HIS FATHER DIES WHILE OUT RIDING WITH WILL, WILL FEARS RIDING NEAR WATER. WILL ENTERS A DOGRACE AND SETS OFF EARLY EACH MORNING TO GET IN THE LEAD. THROUGH THE MOVIE WILL GETS THROUGH TOUGH OBSTICLES LIKE A MEAN MAN AND THE DEVILS SLIDE. WILL GETS FROST BITE AND PEOPLE THINK HE'S CRAZY FOR GOING ON BUT HE REALLY WANTS TO SAVE HIS MOTHERS FARM AND WILL ENDS UP WINNING WITH GREAT STRUGGLE AS HE FALLS OFF HIS SLED RIGHT BEFORE THE FINISHING LINE. THIS IS MOVIE HAS A VERY TOUCHING STORYLINE.

Enjoyable adventure film with some unusual features
I was expecting this to be a run of the mill Disney adventure movie, with the hero entering a race at the beginning, you know he's going to win, right? wrong. This is much harder than the typical family films we associate with Disney, without losing the quality. Young Mackenzie Astin (son of John) gives a great performance as a seemingly naive yet brave boy who enters a dog sled race to get the £10,000 he desperately needs to go to college. Nominal star Kevin Spacey wisely remains in the background and lets this young lad shine through. The story has a number of unexpected twists, that interest and delight throughout the movie. Who are Will's friends? Who can he trust? Will he stop to save a man's life if it means losing the race? The cinematography is masterful, both in the close-up work and views of Minnesota countryside (doubling for Canada) The film is also refreshing because the incidental music is restrained, and even absent in some scenes. This would be enjoyed by anyone who likes a good adventure with a touch of realism.

Iron will a mushers story
Iron will is great, sled dog enthusiests and kids alike will enjoy the tale of a boy who has a dull hope and a bright dream to save the family buisness, farm and his collage education.

A story of life at its cruelist of the hardships a musher faces in some of the world cruelist territory. An oldie but a goodie and as a sled dog freak one of my favourites even got a couple of good shots of the malamutes...which sadly are the bad guys dogs... ... Read more

Amazon.com

Charlize Theron is the latest stunning blonde to be hanging around some big ape in a Hollywood movie, this one a remake of the 1949 semi-classic with echoes of the superior King Kong. Theron plays the daugher of an American researcher killed by poachers in Africa. The baby gorilla left in her care grows up to become a hugely tall and broad specimen named Joe, living in the mountains as a mostly unseen legend among people who live there. Along comes an eco-minded emissary (Bill Paxton) from a California sanctuary, who talks the jungle girl into providing safe haven for Joe at the L.A. facility. The transition is not without discomfort, but everything is aggravated via a conspiracy of poachers to get Joe into their own greedy hands. Director Ron Underwood (City Slickers) uses a combination of special-effects techniques to give Joe life and personality, and he succeeds quite effectively. The requisite giant-ape-goes-amok scenes are all in place--a couple of them pretty intense--as is a conclusion that finds the simian hero performing a stunning feat of escalation. Underwood attempts to give a little modern spin to some classic Hollywood conventions regarding wild hearts lost in civilization, and the results are pretty agreeable family fare. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (67)

Disney does a good job with this excellent modernized remake
As a fan of the original Mighty Joe Young which I've watched many times as a kid, I was pretty impressed with the way Disney took the story and brought it back to life with a bit of modernization to the plot. If you are a fan of Disney movies in general, or you like their Animal Kingdom theme park, you will probably really enjoy this movie. My kids loved it too. There are a few emotionally tough spots, so be sure to watch it with them. But like most Disney movies, just about everything works out to a happy conclusion. This is still one of my favorite stories of all time. I'm glad to see it rejuvenated.

great remake
this version of the mighty joe young is exciting, enjoyable and a just plain great movie that should have been released during the summer season. Rick baker's make is amongst the finest ever. While you know it is not a real groilla it a[appears anazing life like. the story is engrossign that moves along at a steady pace. the action is great and thrilling without being bloody. this is the type of film that should appeal to teens and adults as well as kids. i loved this movie. It is nothing but fun and excitement all the way through. The heros and villians are of the classic mode, and athough the scene when joe goes on the rampage is much shorter than the same in the original, it is pushed along by a great plot with mean, dispicable villians. the part when joe overturns the truck and runs amok in the city topped off with the great finamusement park are nothing short of a maximum thrill ride. The change at the end when joe rescues a boy trapped on top of a disabled ferris wheel instead of a girl trapped in a burning orphanage is a splendid reworking that works so damn well. there is action aplenty and done so well that this moive is a must summer film for everyone who wants to not only stay awake but enjoy themselves. to hell with the critics who panned this movie and the moron viewers to complained about it and would probably watch worthless bores such as shakespear in love and schindlers list.

MIGHTY Family fun
A feel good story for the whole family, don't expect "Mighty Joe Young" to knock you off your feet. Instead, watch it for the good "Beauty and the Beast" storyline that is well outlined for any age group to watch.
There is some violence in this movie, and smaller children may be frightened by "Joe" at first, but if they can control themselves through the first few minutes, they'll fall in love with him. There is very little, if any, foul language.
The story is simple: Girl and giant ape are moved to the city, girl and giant ape want out, man in love with girl helps, everyone ends up happy.
If you're interested, "Joe" looks fairly realistic, especially for the time this flick was made.
Overall, a good family show that all can watch. I highly recommend it for its entertainment value.

awwwww :)
Ok, this movie makes me cry every time i see it. stupid i know, but what the hey. I love both Bill Paxton and Charlieze Theron, so that was why I saw it initially, but I just love it. Joe looks realistic with the exception of his tongue, which looks goofy, but it still works for me. great kids movie i think too.

great movie
That movie really was good. At the end, I had a few tears coming out, because I really thought Joe died. Charlize is a true African and played the roll of Jill Young, who took care of Joe. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Superb Family Film!
I loved Benji as a child - I even remember my stuffed Benji doll that I carried around for years! This film is as great now as it was then. I highly recommend this wonderful little movie to everyone everywhere, whether you have children or not!!!

The greatest family movie of all time
I have wanted to review this 1973 family classic for a very long time now, but it has been extraordinarily difficult to review something and someone who was a truly vital part of my childhood. Some of my earliest memories are of this loveable little dog. When the 25th anniversary edition of the film came out in 1998, I finally had the chance to reacquaint myself with my dear old friend, and it was a truly moving experience. All these years later, Benji remains the ultimate family movie experience. It can be quite a sad and touching experience, as well, and my emotional attachment to it has kept me from reviewing it for far too long already. The children (and adults) of every generation need to be acquainted with this film; Benji is the great American dog who has rightly been called America's Most Huggable Hero. I absolutely treasure this film from my childhood, and I want all children to feel the love this movie expresses and epitomizes.

The story of this movie is almost as extraordinary as the film itself. Everybody laughed at Joe Camp when he described the movie he wanted to make. This man who had never even made a movie or worked with animals before was committed to writing, producing, and directing a film told from the viewpoint of a dog. There would be no dubbed voices telling the audience what the dog was thinking; the dog himself would communicate his feelings through his demeanor and facial expressions. Even Frank Inn, Benji's owner, thought the idea was crazy when Camp came to him looking for a dog who could act. It just so happened, though, that Camp spotted Benji and immediately knew he had found his star. Benji was already an older dog who had retired from a distinguished seven-year career on the television show Petticoat Junction. Frank Inn, the man who had rescued Benji from the pound many years earlier, didn't know it, but Benji's greatest performance was yet to come.

In a way, the story of the movie is rather simple. Benji is a stray who is loved by folks all over the neighborhood, yet the place he calls home is a lonely, abandoned house. Every day, he follows the same routine: he first heads to the Chapman house to be fed and loved by young Cindy and Paul (whose father will not allow them to keep a stray dog), then he is off to chase a neighboring cat (whose owner is played by Frances "Aunt Bee" Bavier), wake up old Bill (Petticoat Junction buddy Edgar Buchanan) at the café, entertain a police officer, and rummage for food in the park. One special day, Benji meets a cute little white dog in the park, and the two of them become inseparable. Then disaster strikes; Benji's home is invaded by strangers who kidnap Cindy and Paul and hold them hostage there. Benji goes all over town trying to tell his human friends where the children are, but no one will listen to him. If he is to save the children he loves as well as his new friend Tiffany, he is going to have to come up with a way to make the humans understand him.

The last twenty minutes of this film are among the most powerful cinematic moments I have ever witnessed. Benji turns in one of the greatest performances of all time. Laugh if you will, but I consider Benji's performance one of the ten greatest performances of all time - that includes human as well as animal actors. Two scenes in particular reveal the depth of Benji's acting skills. I cannot describe what happens here without giving away important plot details, but it sends tears pouring down my cheeks no matter how many times I watch it. You can literally read Benji's thought process and intense emotions on his face. While it may not be manly to admit, I actually sob during these climactic scenes. To be honest, I cry many times throughout this movie. I am one of those people who love animals more than people, really, and I can't stand to see an animal sad or hurt. Benji's loneliness at the beginning of the movie touches me deeply, and his joyful relationship with his new little friend Tiffany moves me beyond words. The later scenes, though, include one traumatic moment that almost breaks my heart when it happens.

Obviously, I could sing praises to Benji all day. This is one of the greatest movies of all time; there really is no other movie like it. Joe Camp succeeded fabulously in telling this story from Benji's point of view. Even the most minor human characters express feelings that go far beyond mere words, and the music, while certainly evocative of the early 1970s era, complements and intensifies every scene perfectly. (The theme song I Feel the Love, sung by Charlie Rich, won a Golden Globe award and was nominated for an Academy Award.) In closing, I must mention the fact that Benji was as much a hero in real life as he was in this feature film. This vintage American "mutt" whom Frank Inn rescued from an animal shelter as a puppy really left an impressive mark on this world. He and owner Frank Inn literally toured the world, bringing joy to untold numbers of children. More importantly, he indirectly saved the lives of thousands of dogs waiting and hoping to be adopted from animal shelters. I love Benji as if he were my very own dog; he was a ray of sunlight in my childhood and he remains a true hero to me still. I dearly hope that today's children can get to know and love this dog and this movie as much as I do.

Great movie but very hard to find!
I think Benji is a great film. I use to watch it a lot when I was lil but the state where I live doesn't even have Benji available anywhere. I wonder why it doesn't. Probably because some people got tired of watching Benji or it's not in stock at all anymore. It also doesn't even come on TV that much as it use to. I remember when it use to come on The Disney Channel a bunch and I just kept on watching it and watching it. I never got tried of it. I also like the latest recent movie Benji the Hunted that was great too not as good as Benji though but it's still enjoyable to watch.

A classical family movie
After such a long time looking for this DVD, I finally got one. I immediately watched the movie and really enjoyed it. The quality of picture and sound are great, although there is no extra.
This year will be the 30th anniversary of its release. I think there should be 30th Anniversary Edition DVD with addition of extras as well as the release of other Benji's movies on DVD.
I hope that there will be (big) film studio such Disney does this job. And importantly, I look forward to the release of Benji's new adventure this summer!!!

A Classic Film for All Ages
"Benji" is a kid's film which achieves the status of true drama, due to the remarkable acting ability of Higgins in the title role. A schnauzer-cocker-poodle cross, Higgins was found in a shelter and trained by Frank Inn. Before playing "Benji," he guest-starred on tv's "Lassie", "Beverly Hillbillies", and "Green Acres;" had a regular role in "Petticoat Junction" as "Dog;" and carried the title role in the film "Mooch Goes to Hollywood" (1971). "Benji" was true screen triumph for Higgins, worthy of an Oscar. Kudos to his co-star Tiffany, as well, for her engaging personality. ... Read more

Description

If man's best friend is a dog, get ready to meet man's funniest friend -- he's four pounds of sheer delight and one of the best scene stealers to ever upstage an actor! RASCAL tells the story of a boy (Billy Mumy) and his rescued pet raccoon, an animal whose talent for causing loads of mischief is equaled only by his power to trigger tons of laughter! Featuring superb performances by an all-star cast and spectacular lush scenery ... this is family entertainment at its finest! ... Read more

Amazon.com

A rare sequel that can stand alone, 1983's The Black StallionReturns is both a fun follow-up to the 1979 Carroll Ballard/Francis FordCoppola film and a fine adventure in its own right. Kelly Reno returns as thenow adolescent, deceptively ordinary Alec Ramsay, who stows away on a plane forCasablanca after the titular horse is kidnapped by Arabs. Getting him backpitches Alec into the middle of tribal rivalries and all sorts of complicated,dangerous intrigue. The cast includes Teri Garr, Vincent Spano, and WoodyStrode, but the real star here may be cinematographer Carlo Di Palma, a veteranof several Woody Allen films and a master of color, light, and framing. DirectorRobert Dalva edited the previous film and happily executes countless ideas heappears to have stored up from his first stallion outing. But it's Reno'sresourceful hero--his anti-Harry Potter normalcy--that finally takes hold ofviewers. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Amazon.com

Jason Alexander's vocal performance as the hambone father ofLouie, a mute trumpet swan, is quite simply the most entertainingelement of Trumpet of the Swan, an animated version of E.B.White's children's novel. Given to long-winded speeches and flamboyantdisplays (Alexander's extended "death scene" after his character isknicked on the wing is a hoot), the former George Costanza's hot-airwaterfowl partially salvages this oddly unmoving family feature. Thestory concerns the silent Louie (his thoughts are spoken by actorJeffrey Schoeny), who suffers the ridicule of other swans butcommunicates a depth of feeling by playing a brass horn. The restlessscript has difficulty developing a coherent emotional rise; directorRichard Rich (The Swan Princess) would have done well to cutback on the number of discrete episodes that rush by with dizzying,graceless speed. Joe Mantegna signs on as the voice of a big-cityscoundrel who signs Louie to an exploitative music contract, while MarySteenburgen plays Louie's mother, and Reese Witherspoon speaks for thehero's true love. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (13)

My 3-year-old LOVES Trumpet of the Swan! Great for Kids!
Trumpet of the Swan is obviously a film made for children, but one that adults can enjoy too...which is VERY important if your children are like mine and watch their new video DAILY for the first week! I must add that I think it's unfair to hold this movie up to Disney standards as some reviewers seem to be doing. This is NOT a Disney film, which costs about $10 more, and I find it is every bit as good or better than anything else in the childrens home video department.

I've never read the book, so I can't speak to how well it follows the original story (but does anything from Hollywood EVER follow the original book?) And I concede the animation does not meet the highest standards. (There's a pretty obvious flaw in Louie's big trumpet performance.)

But on to the positives...

While the animation isn't the best quality, the color is bright and beautiful! And the vocal talent is terrific! The cast of voices includes Jason Alexander (Father), Mary Steenburgen (Mother), Seth Green (Boyd), Reese Witherspoon (Serena), Carol Burnett and Joe Mantegna. Each actor injects life and personality into their character. I especially liked Mary Steenburgen's "mother" and Jason's "father" is very entertaining. My daughter thinks the camp leader who mumbles through the megaphone is funny--I found him annoying at first but I got the joke when I saw the campfire scene.

And as a music lover I must mention the film's music. Louie's "trumpet voice" is performed by Michael "Patches" Stewart, and the music score is by Marcus Miller. I find myself humming the tunes at work and my 3 year-old is already starting to sing along with the words!

Bottom line...small children will love Trumpet of the Swan!

My Kids Love this Movie
My two children ages 3 and 4 love this movie. In fact, this is one that they routinely watch, rewind and watch again (when I let them). I have sat down and watched this movie several times over and still enjoy it.

This doesn't follow the original book very well. If you are someone that believes a movie has to follow the book word for word you will be dissapointed. However, if you can get past that, you will enjoy this book.

Louis a trumpeter swan is born unable to talk. He falls in love with Serena and can't court her. He goes to school and learns to read and spell and write. However, as other swans can't read it does him very little good. In the meantime his father gets a trumpet for him. Louis learns to talk through the trumpet and music.

This is a classic video. It is well done. I have read reviews for the dvd that say there is poor pictures and audio. This is not the case for the VHS tape we have at our house.

This movie is about relationships between parents and friends and husbands and wives. It is about music and love and more.

Well worth the money.
Enjoy.

I like it all
I sort of liked the story. I didn't like when the father gets hurt but I liked when Serena was like um like you know well I liked when Louis gives Serena his heart cause he loves her.

Not as good as Charlotte's Web
Charlotte's Web is the only movie my 3 year old son has taken any interest in. He watches it over and over. I love Charlotte's Web too, but I've been looking for another movie that he likes equally well. I thought a movie based on a book written by the same author would be just the thing. Nope. He took Trumpet of the Swan out midway through and put Charlotte's Web in. I'll admit that I didn't like it nearly as much either. I didn't find the animation and audio objectionable ( 3 year olds don't care), but the story just seemed a little slow. This movie will probably sit on the shelf.

Heartwarming and just plain nice movie for kids.........
My 3 1/2 year old son loves this movie. It is genuine and cute. I'd recommend it as a great addition to any family video collection. ... Read more