Product Details

• Actors: Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Morgan, Tom Drake, Selena Royle, Harry Davenport
• Directors: Fred M. Wilcox
• Writers: Lionel Houser
• Producers: Robert Sisk
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MGM (Warner)
• VHS Release Date: July 15, 1997
• Run Time: 92 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0792835115
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #184,292 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Peril lurks behind every scene resolution in the 1946 hit Courage of Lassie. After an odd, peaceable-kingdom beginning, Lassie is shot by Carl Switzer, the kid who used to play Alfalfa (really!), and rescued by Elizabeth Taylor. She inexplicably names Lassie "Bill" (maybe in revenge because Lassie got on the movie's title) and trains him to be a sheepdog. Bill gets hit by a truck, then impressed into service in the U.S. war effort in the Philippines. Presaging Rambo, Bill becomes a war hero, yet returns home from the front a broken dog and is considered a menace to society. The war scenes are a bit too grueling for a family film (at least with very young children). Bill gets shot (again) and has to do a reconnaissance mission that Joseph Conrad would admire. Taylor doesn't so much act as sob and gush, and only Frank Morgan, the actor known best as the Wizard of Oz, comes off as well as the collie. That collie, though, is pretty wonderful and fans of the first film won't be too disappointed. --Keith Simanton

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Film, April 12, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Courage of Lassie [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This film is simple and spans alot of territory for one beautiful dog. However, it is refreshing to see this type of movie with such a message of gentle caring, and loyalty between an animal and it's owner.

Films aren't made like this anymore, and while this it is not academy award material, I enjoyed every minute. I can't wait to share it with my elementary school aged, Grandchildren.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant, But Is This Animal Cruelty?, May 12, 2011

By 

Samantha Glasser "Maliejandra" (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Courage of Lassie (DVD)

The Courage of Lassie is not about Lassie at all, but her son Bill. Little Bill is the runt of Lassie's litter, and since she's wandered off to give birth in a small wood, there are lots of reasons for Bill to wander off from his family. Thus, when Lassie leads her babies back to the water's edge to go back home with her master, Bill falls behind because he prefers to play with the crows and bears and foxes.

It is in these woods that little Kathie (Elizabeth Taylor) discovers the pup, just after a boy (Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer) shoots him by mistake. Kathie cares for Bill until he is well and they become fast friends. She trains him to be a sheep dog, and all is well until Bill is hit by a truck. The driver takes him to a vet, and Kathie does not know where he is to claim him.

The army recruits him to be a K9 Unit and he sees combat in the South Pacific as Duke.

But of course, Bill must return home to his owner, somehow.

This is a heartwarming story perfect for animal lovers, but it is not the slam dunk that the original film was. It seems that the filmmakers tried a bit too much to play on our sympathies for the animal, and it is quite frustrating that Bill cannot seem to get an even break. I wondered a several times about whether "any animals were harmed during the making of this picture." After all, PETA was not around in 1946.

Bill a sweet dog, and it is quite enjoyable to watch him go on his adventures. Much of the film has no dialogue; we're just enjoying life through Bill's eyes.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful and Relevant Film!, September 8, 2009

By 

CelticWomanFanPiano - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Courage of Lassie (DVD)

This movie is plain and simply described as . . . fantastic! It centers around the dog "Bill" who is portrayed by Lassie. And let me say, if there were an Academy Award for animal actors, Lassie would be the champion. What fabulous acting! Lassie outshines many human actors in terms of expression and convincing acting. I don't know how they were able to film it. Elizabeth Taylor is simply beautiful in this movie, young, but already a phenomenal beauty. She portrays the girl who first rescues Bill and trains him to be a sheepdog. He gets run over and through a series of events becomes a war dog. Who then suffers from post-traumatic war syndrome. Even though, we all know it is a movie with a happy ending, I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat when Bill's trial is on. As Bill turns into quite a primitive animal after his war experience, but I don't want to reveal the entire plot. Suffice it to say, it is a lovely family film (although I do wonder about the anti-Church attendance message) and it is relevant to today with the exploration into post-traumatic war syndrome that affects returning soldiers. Anyone watching this movie, will cheer for Bill all the way through. And will admire Elizabeth Taylor's role as the caring young girl. I thoroughly enjoyed this film. And whole-heartedly recommend it!