Product Details

• Actors: River Phoenix, Lili Taylor, Richard Panebianco, Anthony Clark, Mitchell Whitfield
• Directors: Nancy Savoca
• Writers: Bob Comfort
• Producers: Cathleen Summers, Craigry Price Shell, Llewellyn Wells, Peter Newman, Richard Guay
• Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
• Subtitles: English, Spanish, French
• Dubbed: French
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• DVD Release Date: January 7, 2003
• Run Time: 94 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (90 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000085OY0
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #131,087 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Dogfight" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Director Nancy Savoca tackles tough material in the battle of the sexes, late-teen division, and makes it bitterly moving. River Phoenix plays one of a group of youngish marines on the verge of shipping out to Southeast Asia in 1963 San Francisco. On their last night in port, they decide to hold a "dogfight": a contest to see who can get the ugliest girl to go out with him. Phoenix winds up with a pudgy waitress (Lili Taylor), who has dreams of being like her hero, Joan Baez. As he draws her out, he finds himself intrigued by the self-contained world she has created for herself and by the time he gets her to the dance he is regretting his decision--but is too macho to pull out. Barely released, the film features touching performances by both the late Phoenix and the always fascinating Taylor, who gives this character great dignity. --Marshall Fine

Product Description

Four young Marines compete to see who can find the homliest date.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, jarring June 14, 2006

By Theresa

Format:DVD

The story itself is pretty simple, but the execution of the story is what makes Dogfight a very lovely film. I think the actors did a great job conveying the awkwardness of what falling in love is all about. While Lili Taylor is not ugly at all, I like the idea of an "ugly girl" getting the guy without changing herself. She stayed true to herself until the very end. Speaking of which: The ending, in my opinion, is one of the most perfect endings I've seen for a movie - hands down. I don't really have much else to add except to say that Dogfight is a gripping love story and you will think about it long after the film is over. Dogfight is really well done and I hope that more people discover/experience it.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply amazing September 13, 2004

By Leah

Format:DVD

I am on a crusade to make sure as many people as possible see this film. It is unusual, funny, brilliantly acted and just beautiful. You dont get acting like this anymore and after watching this movie I am sure you'll agree that all other "teen" type movies fall so far short and seem almost contrived.

I just can get enough of this movie. River Phoenix is sadly no longer with us but you just want more of him as the Character Birdlace and more of Lili Taylor as Rose. BUY IT AND WATCH IT!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully Unconventional Love Story August 21, 2006

By David Baldwin

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

It's amazing how the studios can market dross to the public yet can't sell an endearing picture like "Dogfight". If I recall correctly, this picture didn't even run theatrically in Philly. This film is in essence a love story and the two principals, River Phoenix and Lili Taylor are most appealing and believable. There are other themes that run throughout this film. It serves as an expose of machismo in it's most phony and cruel forms. There is also a pacifistic message that runs through it with the nascent conflict in Vietnam in the background. Director Nancy Savoca weaves these themes passionately into the narrative but doesn't bludgeon the point. See this film for the heartbreaking final scene for nothing else. This film serves as a good epitaph for the tragically short-lived Phoenix. Look close for Brendan Fraser as a sailor.