A Tail of Unconditional Love (Lassie (DVD))

Member Name: Praskipark

Product:	Lassie (DVD)
Date:	13/02/09 (244 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A Light hearted film about a dog and his friend

Disadvantages: None, really unless you are a hard cynic

I don't think I really need to introduce the main star of this film. We all know that Lassie is the most famous celebrity in the dog world. She is not only loved for her shiny coat, wagging tale, pointed nose and big sad brown eyes but her courage, strength and loyalty. She has one more attribute and it is the devotion to the boy she loves. The boy in question is the blonde haired Joe Carraclough (Jonothan Mason), the nine year old youngster who is Lassie's best friend in the 2006 screen adaptation of the 1940's novel written by Eric Wright.

Lassie is not just another dumb kid's film about animals who think they are smarter than the average bear. This film is in a class of its own and suitable for all ages. Charles Sturridge has created a work of simplicity, grace and depth. Using the same plot as the novel, Lassie Come Home, the film returns Lassie to the circumstances of the original story, where her escapades lead her away from the devoted Carraclough family home to a large sprawling estate in the highlands of Scotland.

Joe's father (John Lynch) is a miner in Yorkshire and earns a pittance. When the mine actually closes the family's prospects look grim and as they are struggling to pay the bills they come to the conclusion that the dog has to go. Cilla (Hester Odgers) is the grandaughter of the cranky Duke of Riding (Peter O'Toole). She is out one day walking and spots Lassie out on the street. The Duke immediately notices the dogs 'good eye' and affirms that he wants Lassie for his collection.

How can the Carracloughs turn down such a generous offer?. Bills have to be paid and gruel has to be put on the table. Sadly, Lassie is taken away to the Duke's outlandish estate and given her own living quarters. Within minutes she is sctaching to break free which she does and runs back home to Yorkishire. This happens more than once. Her devotion to Joe is untiring. The Duke's dog keeper, Haynes, isn't the sharpest knife in the draw and he has been given strict orders to keep the dog confined at all times. Will Lassie outwit this nervous, twitching confused wreck of a man who is his keeper?

The film begins with Lassie's intelligent interruption of a Fox Hunt, helping the terrified prey escape the discontented hunters. This sets up the main conflict of the film: loyal, conscientious working-class folk, struggling to survive with the arrogant and tactless rich.

Sturridge has given his characters a great deal of thought and in no way are they caricatures. You never see the real Duke - he is complex and erratic. He never shows his true feelings. Likewise, the Carracloughs accept who they are and the film doesn't move us to disliking people with wealth. It only observes that wealth inspires pride, assertiveness and a pre-occupation with one-self to the exclusion of everything else.

I have always liked Peter O'Toole and I know he might be a silly old luvvy but he's a lot of fun and quintessentially English. He gives a superb performance portraying humour and dignity. Together with Lynch and Morton they convey intuitivity and subtlety. Not many children's films show adults as having intelligent minds.

The supporting cast give the movie colour, humour and substance. Kelly Macdonald makes a brief appearance. She is radiant as the romantic with a huge heart. And we must not forget Lassie - how well she struggles, worn out with exhaustion, down the long road to home.

Howard Atherton's cinematography is beautiful and somewhat extravagant as he takes us on a journey through Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man. The camera soars majestically over verdant expanses of land, jagged ridges, hazy, unclear woods and gently rippling lochs. Technically I cannot fault this film. Many films about animals are usually disastrous but Sturridge steers Lassie away from all the pitfalls. Although, Lassie the dog, is a star as we know her, she doesn't bark out at you and say, 'Look at me', I'm a Celebrity.' She isn't a silly creature with a human personality. She is a dog and her strengths are her intelligence, silent reliability and strong determination. And what's more she's not a cartoon - she's real.

The Lassie films have always used dogs directly descended from the line of pedigrees who starred in the first film back in 1943. Having owned a rescued Lassie dog when I was small and always called it a Sally dog because I couldn't say Lassie, I think they are wonderful dogs and they are intelligent. When you see a beautiful animal whether it be a dog, horse or cat, you can't help feel in awe. It is a different experience than seeing a CGI created animal, no matter how impressive the graphics.

The film is also enhanced by the soft luxurious soundtrack which lets crucial scenes play out quietly. The music enables us to respond with our own immediate emotions without reacting to truculent musical cues.

One of the things I liked about the film is the fact that it isn't glossy. We see that terrible things happen. Animals are mistreated. Lassie's ordeal is tiresome, painful and so long. The film-makers have taken a lot of care in creating this imagery. The dog has passion and is at times so convincing that I was moved to tears.

Also, the film doesn't insult the intelligence of the audience it is aimed at. The depictions of mature adults, smart children and the hardships endured, are honest enough portrayals. The story line is strong enough to keep adults entertained and doesn't try to influence us by including innuendoes. Although, there are some whimsical episodes like when Lassie appears in court and her escape from the pound is worthy of Steve McQueen in the Great Escape.

Having said that, the film has its roots in a specific time and place and gives us some idea of life in Scotland before World War 11.

All in all, I think it is a good film. It shows us the meaning of unconditional love and perhaps as human beings we should aspire to be more like Lassie. It would make the world a much better place, I am sure.

Final Word
~~~~~~~

No, I haven't gone crazy reviweing a film about a dog. And it is Praskipark and Johnny Depp isn't involved with the film at all. I just fancied a change from my normal reviews. My sister sent me this DVD when it came out - she is a dog lover also. I watched it at the time and loved the film. I have just been clearing some stuff out of boxes as I still haven't unpacked since moving to Warsaw and thought , Oh I'll watch that for some light relief but as usual I was in tears. Okay, so if you aren't an animal lover then there is no use in you watching this.

And if you aren't sentimental then forget it. I loved it but I have always loved Lassie since the first time I saw the film with Liz Taylor as the beautiful violet eyed, spoilt child in the 1943 version of Lassie Come Home. Perhaps I'm getting old but you can't help love a dog especially one as charismatic as Lassie.

Recommended - A film for all the family.

Summary: A film about endurance, survival and love