Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6221 in VHS
• Released on: 1997-06-23
• Rating: G (General Audience)
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 80 minutes

Amazon.com
Imagine your pets traveling 200 miles over mountainous terrain just to see you. What would they eat? What if a bear attacked? What if they ran into a porcupine? This Disney classic answers these questions and more with style and fun, in a story the whole family will enjoy. It tells the tale of two dogs and a cat that head for home on a 200-mile journey through the Canadian Rockies, when they are separated from the family friend who's taking care of them. With a lot of teamwork, ingenuity, and a few human friends along the way, they make it home safe and sound. Unlike the '90s remakes, the animals don't "speak" in voice-overs--and that's a vast improvement. The narrator explains the animals' thoughts, and for their feelings, we need only look at their facial expressions. This trio can act. Watch for the scene where the Siamese cat gets into a spitting match with a lynx on a tree branch, or where he and the retriever scare off a bear that's attacking the older dog. Children under five may be a little frightened by some of the larger wild animals, but there's no violence (though one of the dogs is seen briefly carrying a dead rabbit). Children of all ages will gain respect for animals as independent, loyal, and sensitive beings; and you'll see your pet with new eyes. --Elisabeth Keating

Customer Reviews

Ten Thousand Times Better Than The Remake
This earlier version of the movie is straightforward storytelling, without any rediculous attitude. (I'm wagering that 90% of the reason the new Disney Movie, "Treasure Planet" failed is because of the absolutely hideous haircut the lead character wears.) Even my six year old loved this video. The nature scenery is spectacular. I hate the fact that the inferior updated version of this movie can be found on DVD but this classic version is only on video. Some of the people currently making the decisions at Disney ought to be replaced.

this is the better movie - no contest
This 1963 version of Incredible Journey is so much better than the 1990's version it's hard to know where to start. In the first place, the animals in this movie are the breeds and characters of the book. With all due respect to the talents of M. J. Fox, D. Ameche and S. Struthers (the voices in the newer movie), one of the great joys of the original is that the only voice for most of the movie is Rex Allen's voice over. The animals tell the story here, just as they do in the book, and they do it by their actions, not words.
The story unfolds as the author designed it to, letting the incredible scenery of Canada play its role. The pets (Tao, Luath and Bodger) take off on their journey in search of the home they love and need and they walk, swim and fight their way every step of the way. The ending of this movie is the only happy movie that has ever made me cry (and still does) because I once had the amazing joy of knowing the kind of love between human and pet, between friends, that's shown here. But even if you haven't, track down this movie, sit back, and let the story unfold at its own wonderful pace.
Could be a little scary for very young children. The bear didn't bother me as much as the cat in the river did.

Great! Ten times better than the remake!
If your kids get after you to rent that insipid "funny-voiceover" remake, just get them this classic and let them watch a REAL animal movie!

The animals are great, especially the cat, who is no priss in this one but the hunter of the group-- she even takes on a grizzly! Add Rex Allen as the only needed voiceover and the result is an almost perfect outdoor family film. Unless they have been hopelessly brainwashed by modern kiddie entertainment, your children will love it! (Even if they have, this film could start your VCR de-tox program.)