Product Description

Based on Eric Knight's 1938 novel about a trusty pooch, "Lassie Come-Home," the film is set on the eve of WWII in a Yorkshire mining town. The Carraclough family is forced to sell Lassie to the Duke of Rudling when the family falls on hard times. When Lassie finds herself transported five hundred miles away to live in the Duke's remote castle in northern Scotland, she is determined to defy the odds and return to her home and the boy she loves. So begins an incredible adventure, set against a stunning series of British landscapes that sees Lassie facing dangers natural and human and finding help in unexpected places as she makes her way across the country, to reach home in time for Christmas.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #41604 in DVD
• Brand: WELLSPRING/GENIUS
• Released on: 2006-11-14
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: 1.00 pounds
• Running time: 100 minutes

Amazon.com
You probably don't think you need to see another remake of Lassie, but you do. Charles Sturridge's (Brideshead Revisited) film was criminally neglected in theaters but should gain a lofty status on home video as did remakes of The Secret Garden, A Little Princess and Sturridge's own FairyTale: A True Story. It's a simple story of a dog who loves a boy so much she'll cross a country to reunite with him. Yes, you might need your handkerchief. No, not that much. Mom Sarah (Samantha Morton), dad Sam (John Lynch) and their son Joe (an adorable Jonathan Mason) live in an English coal town shortly before the Second World War. To put food on the table, Lassie is sold to The Duke of Rudling (Peter O'Toole, in fine form) for his granddaughter, Cilla (Hester Odgers). Soon the Duke and Lassie retire to Scotland, some 500 miles away, but neither distance, status, an angry kennel man, nor bumbling dog catchers will keep Lassie from Joe. Along the roads and hills of England (with Ireland scenery subbing in), Lassie touches many folks including a lovelorn lady (Kelly MacDonald), a scientist (Edward Fox), and most notably, a traveling performer (Peter Dinklage). Sturridge's deft touch allows the film to breathe with a great sense of physical comedy for the kids that never descends into pure shenanigans. There is just enough heart-tugging to go along with the scenic adventure. The cast is uniformly strong, with fine work from O'Toole, Morton, and Dinklage. Throw in beautiful scenery, cute dogs, Adrian Johnson's dramatic score, a cameo from the Loch Ness monster(!), and you have a winner; our pick for the best family film on DVD in 2006. Ages 5 and up. --Doug Thomas

Customer Reviews

Wonderful.--- Better than Best
By far, this movie is much, much better in every way possible than the 1943 movie and the 1994 movie. Those films were fine, but this particular version is in a class by itself. The acting, the photography, the dialogue, the plot, and the dog. I totally agree with what one other reviewer mentioned: that on the box, it says that "this is one of the best children's movies in years." It is NOT just a movie for children. It is a movie for all of us, young and old. Be prepared to shed some tears. It is a wonderful movie. Better than best. I loved it. I saw it in the movie theater a few months ago and now bought the DVD. The distributors did a poor distribution job. It was not heavily promoted or seen in a multitude of theaters. That was grossly incorrect thinking. This is a movie that can be viewed again and again. Superb!

Fun, even educational and Peter O'Toole shines in this one
This whole movie is charming but Peter O'Toole, to my mind, keeps the movie firmly in balance, neither too sentimental or too serious. He is, as always, a consumate actor and you can see just what a perfectionist he is when watching the Outtakes (some are pretty funny). He can laugh at himself and often does and seems to be having a great deal of fun in this film.
The DVD is well worth purchasing because it not only retells the beloved story of Lassie's attempt to get back to her family but contains a wealth of bonus features, unlike some DVDs. There is a special Animal Planet feature filmed from the set, cast and crew interviews and behind the scenes info as well as actual Animal Auditions! There was a lot of work put into this DVD and it shows.
This is a film that will be of interest, on some level, to everyone in the family. Even if the movie itself isn't your favorite part of the DVD (but it was for me), the Bonus Features are engaging.

Best Animal Film Since Babe!
I had low expectations for this film with all the poorly done animal movies, but this one is something else. It's one of the most beautiful films I have ever seen! This Lassie is a remake of the original Lassie Come Home based on the book by Eric Knight. Well acted, well shot and well written, for me it is the best Lassie film ever. It tells the story of a dog who travels hundreds of miles to find her young master over some of the most inhospitable and visually stunning landscape in Great Britain. I highly recommend it whether you are a Lassie fan or not. It stands alone as a heart wrenching story about determination, loyalty, family, courage and love.

For Parents: The cover on the American release of the DVD is deceptive for Lassie is not a "children's" movie. The tone is somewhat dark throughout and children under seven or eight may be upset by some of the peril Lassie faces. Also the plot lines involving the human characters are detailed and may leave younger children yawning or confused.

Enjoy!