Customer Reviews

Dogs in Space [VHS]

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This is just to let everyone know you can get this movie on DVD but it is PAL only and there is a CD soundtrack available. Lots of fun to watch and it is an unusual film. The PAL version available will play on an XBOX360 so might play on other players as well. However, I can not check this. The xbox is the only one that I can promise it will play on. This movie is not available in the United States and has never been offered in the NTSC version. It is Pal only. It was released in Australia about 8 years ago for a short time. The quality is decidedly better then the VHS version but remember it was an indy film produced in Australia in the late 80s. There are 2 CD versions, a German and a Japanese release. They have extra music on them that were not on the tape and record.

I thought the film Dogs in space was a better film better directing acting and plot (so to speak). The film set in Melbourne 1978 in a house with a group of youths who don't seem to have much direction in life. I think this might have been my second viewing of this film I hadn't seen the film in donkeys years and the last time I saw it I didn't really see the film proper like so it was good for a refresher. Within the film you get a glimpse of the Aussie punk scene a pity not much material was recorded some of the groups were great. This film is worth 5 stars and more the soundtrack (if you can find it) is very well worth tracking down. Now if only someone would release a decent DVD of this flick I'd be in line like a shot.

This movie might not appeal to the 20 and under crowd...but for those of us at our prime in the 80's it's a flashback. I love watching it and remembering all the good/wild times of the period. And toast those no longer with us (and I don't just mean Michael).

Who is the smart guy that let this soundtrack go out of print?? Definitely worth a CD re-issue.

Dogs In Space by Richard Lowenstein is better and far more intriguing than many, many indie films I've seen in years. I remember when the movie came out and at the time, INXS (the REAL INXS w/ beautiful Michael Hutchence) was hitting their peak of their success. Then this came out in a few art houses and immediately became a cult film amongst students, former students, anyone who remembers being the ages between 16-20. However, this is not a 'teenage film'.. it's a fantastic portrayal of the Melbourne Punk scene in the late 70s, based on the true life story of "Sammy No-brain" as he was called; the lead singer of the underground Aussie Punk band "Dogs In Space"... so perfectly played by late-great Michael Hutchence. It's full of fabulous wild parties, naughtiness, disheveled and very interesting squatters, rogue kids, homeless bands, casual sex, cool punks, some normal kids, great music, great scenes, etc. You can't help but feel that you're looking at something you shouldn't, there's a very real feel to this film. Very funny Aussie humor that's so attractive, you won't ever get bored!! If you had any sort of young life, you will definitely see yourself in here somewhere.

Michael does an amazing job, sometimes too well, which adds to that great edge of the film. There's no teeny bopping in this, it's raw and fascinating and you'll fall in love with every character.

Peace n Love to Michael... great film.

I have been seeking a copy of this movie for nearly twenty years (20 would be as long as it's been out!) but it seems as if it would be easier for me to create world peace, universal currency or invent an ozone replacement.

Director Richard Lowenstein is rumoured to be planning to release the movie on DVD in the latter half of 2006, but apparently the soundtrack will NOT be close on its heels. Due to negotiation issues with INXS, band of the late Michael Hutchence (who plays the lead character of Sam Sejavka), who knows when the music will follow. However, it is said that there will be a lot of musical extras on the DVD, perhaps more than making up for the soundtrack release issues.

I personally look forward to this movie and can't wait to see it again. Great movie for folks interested in the 70's Australia punk music scene, sociology, substance abuse, interesting characters, even for Michael Hutchence's performance or Richard Lowenstein's directing. Not so good for small children and those with weak constitutions.

This movie made being 17 bearable. I loved INXS and absolutely idolized Michael Hutchence. When I saw this movie, it made me want to be one of those kids hanging out with Sammy and Anna in their funky house. I wanted to be transported out of bourgeois suburbia and find myself in Melbourne, sleeping on their floor while a goat wanders nearby. *sigh* It has been ten years since I stayed up until 4am to tape this movie of Cinemax. That copy was played to death and I knew every word by heart. I had the soundtrack and listened to it ad nauseum. I'm not a miserable 17-year-old anymore, but what do you think: should I buy another copy? Yeah, I think so, too.

I've searched in all record stores in san francisco and berkeley, they didn't have it! I finally found the place where i can buy it..thanks to AMAZON.COM. You can't imagine how hard i've been trying to find this video. thanks a lot!!! On the other hand, this is my favorite movie because it's so real. I fell in love with the characters and the whole package.

`Dogs in Space' is set in what may be considered the initial decay of the punk/anarchistic subculture in Australia, 1979, and opens a at ticket stakeout for a David Bowie concert. It follows the lives of several people living in a communal style household, relatively secure in their closed, but tolerant, world of drugs, gigs, parties, television, music, destruction and (for some) sex.

The relationship between Sam (Michael Hutchence) and Anna (Saksia Post) forms the main focus of the film but is only a part of the kaleidoscope of people ranging from sociopaths to hippies. Sam, on the surface, is an unambitious, incoherent, primitive `junkie' who is the lead singer for the household band `Dogs in Space', but, underneath this it seems that his ambitions are truly bourgeois, as revealed in his generally disguised concerns for money. Anna, the only person with at least some employment, carries the most positive possibilities of the lifestyle, totally tolerant/forgiving and appearing of happily carefree. Luchio, the resident student, is studying for engineering exams amongst the chaos and problem of an attached one night stand, Leanne. Tony and Clare are a hippie couple who live on the second floor along with Grant, a poor playboy with a string of beauties, and Tim a cool geek if ever there was one. Everyone else seems to live in the lounge crashing out in front of the tv. The girl (Deanna Bond), arrives on the doorstep the first morning, having run away from home and soon after begins exploring and experiencing the lifestyle in a strangely voyeuristic fashion with the quasi guidance/protection of Anna and her friends.

These overlapping lives continue on their shaky way relatively unscathed until the night that Skylab falls back to Earth. Amongst the confusion of a house party and its aftermath the household seems to break up. Anna's death from a heroin overdose after deciding to try it for the second time with Sam shocks and devastates the household, signifying the end ultimate end of their `endless party' and lifestyle. The police step in, after having repeatedly overlooked them, enforcing an overdue eviction notice. The end of `Dogs in Space' briefly follows Anna's funeral and shows a maturer Sam, now polished and successful singer.

What a great film. I have seen this movie nearly 50 times and I see something new each time. The story is touching and the characters...well, let's say that they are quite interesting. You will be absorbed.

The more I watch this movie, the more I love it! I can relate to it as I am from that generation. Michael Hutchence is brilliant (as always) and I love the soundtack, it is a shame it is out of print. Great movie, especially for those of us who have been there and done that (even if not to that extent). Makes me laugh and cry! A must for any Hutchence fan! Rooms for the memories...