DVD Review - Lassie
This marvelous film adaptation of Eric Knight's book was directed by Charles Sturridge. The film was released theatrically last summer but despite good reviews it generated very little business.
The story takes place in the Yorkshire section of England at the brink of World War II. Little Joe (Jonathan Mason) is a daydreamer who doesn't always perform well in school. His greatest pleasure is spending time with his faithful dog Lassie. Joe's father Sam (John Lynch) is a hard working miner. And Joe's mother Sarah (Samantha Morton) tries to stretch the family's budget the best that she can given their limited means.
Not to far away there lives a rich Duke (Peter O'Toole) who is taking care of his granddaughter Priscilla (Hester Odgers). Priscilla lives in London but her mother Daisy (Jemma Redgrave), who is the Duke's daughter, is afraid that London is no longer a safe place and wants Priscilla to stay with her grandfather until things get better. The Duke has several dogs but one day when he and Priscilla are taking a walk they notice Lassie. They both admire her great beauty. The Duke decides that he must have her and makes an offer to buy her. Joe's parents know how much Lassie means to him so they decline the offer. However, after the mine shuts down Sam and Sarah have no option but to sell her to The Duke. Lassie is unhappy with her new home and escapes several times only to be brought back. The Duke and Priscilla eventually leave for Scotland taking Lassie with them and leaving behind a heartbroken Joe.
Well, you know the rest. Lassie, with the help of Priscilla, escapes from her home in Scotland and makes a dangerous journey back to her real home. Along the way she meets a woman name Jeanie (Kelly MacDonald) who wants to save her from the pound. She also meets a traveling puppeteer named Rowlie (Peter Dinklage) and his dog Toots with whom she spends quite a bit of time.
The acting in this film is terrific. O'Toole is so much fun to watch as the crusty Duke. He may show the world his tough side but we know that deep down inside he has a heart of gold. Dinklage is perfect as Rowlie, a man who has had his share of rough days. Lynch is a fine actor who we don't see enough of and I was happy to see him on the screen again. I was also happy to Morton and MacDonald as I have been fans of both of them for many years. The two child actors, Mason and Odgers, were perfect in their roles. But the real star of the film is Lassie herself. Her beautiful face shines with so much love and wisdom. She was a joy to behold.
This is definitely the best Lassie film that I have ever seen. I used to watch the television show when I was a kid but this far surpasses it . The cinematography is gorgeous and we have Howard Atherton to thank for that.
Lassie is the best family film to come out in some time and yet it did not do well at the box office. The same fate greeted last year's Duma - which was the last great family film to be released. Another wonderful sounding film - The Cave of the Yellow Dog - also just came and went. And like the Duma and Lassie I will have to see it on DVD because it barely played in the theaters despite excellent reviews. I don't understand this. Parents take their kids to see silly films instead of films that have real depth. I guess the dumbing down of America is starting at a young age. This is very sad because the first lesson that parents should teach their kids is kindness and compassion (which is something that these films show). Because without those two qualities nothing else matters.
The story takes place in the Yorkshire section of England at the brink of World War II. Little Joe (Jonathan Mason) is a daydreamer who doesn't always perform well in school. His greatest pleasure is spending time with his faithful dog Lassie. Joe's father Sam (John Lynch) is a hard working miner. And Joe's mother Sarah (Samantha Morton) tries to stretch the family's budget the best that she can given their limited means.
Not to far away there lives a rich Duke (Peter O'Toole) who is taking care of his granddaughter Priscilla (Hester Odgers). Priscilla lives in London but her mother Daisy (Jemma Redgrave), who is the Duke's daughter, is afraid that London is no longer a safe place and wants Priscilla to stay with her grandfather until things get better. The Duke has several dogs but one day when he and Priscilla are taking a walk they notice Lassie. They both admire her great beauty. The Duke decides that he must have her and makes an offer to buy her. Joe's parents know how much Lassie means to him so they decline the offer. However, after the mine shuts down Sam and Sarah have no option but to sell her to The Duke. Lassie is unhappy with her new home and escapes several times only to be brought back. The Duke and Priscilla eventually leave for Scotland taking Lassie with them and leaving behind a heartbroken Joe.
Well, you know the rest. Lassie, with the help of Priscilla, escapes from her home in Scotland and makes a dangerous journey back to her real home. Along the way she meets a woman name Jeanie (Kelly MacDonald) who wants to save her from the pound. She also meets a traveling puppeteer named Rowlie (Peter Dinklage) and his dog Toots with whom she spends quite a bit of time.
The acting in this film is terrific. O'Toole is so much fun to watch as the crusty Duke. He may show the world his tough side but we know that deep down inside he has a heart of gold. Dinklage is perfect as Rowlie, a man who has had his share of rough days. Lynch is a fine actor who we don't see enough of and I was happy to see him on the screen again. I was also happy to Morton and MacDonald as I have been fans of both of them for many years. The two child actors, Mason and Odgers, were perfect in their roles. But the real star of the film is Lassie herself. Her beautiful face shines with so much love and wisdom. She was a joy to behold.
This is definitely the best Lassie film that I have ever seen. I used to watch the television show when I was a kid but this far surpasses it . The cinematography is gorgeous and we have Howard Atherton to thank for that.
Lassie is the best family film to come out in some time and yet it did not do well at the box office. The same fate greeted last year's Duma - which was the last great family film to be released. Another wonderful sounding film - The Cave of the Yellow Dog - also just came and went. And like the Duma and Lassie I will have to see it on DVD because it barely played in the theaters despite excellent reviews. I don't understand this. Parents take their kids to see silly films instead of films that have real depth. I guess the dumbing down of America is starting at a young age. This is very sad because the first lesson that parents should teach their kids is kindness and compassion (which is something that these films show). Because without those two qualities nothing else matters.
posted by Film Fanatic | 8:09 AM
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