Customer Reviews

Stone Fox [VHS]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

My students watched this movie recently, after having read the book as a class assignment. In many ways, the movie brought the story to life. You should be made aware of the fact that there are many storyline differences between the text and video. In the book, for example, little Willy lives on a potato farm and is trying to win the National Dogsled Race to pay the government for back taxes that are due on Grandfather's property. In the movie, he lives on a large farm and grows wheat crops. He is trying to win the race so that he and Grandfather have the money to get by during Grandfather's illness. In the book, Grandfather is described by Doc Smith as being "As healthy as an Ox." In the movie, he is bedridden because he suffered a stroke! There are also many other new character and plot differences to the story that don't fit in with author John Reynold Gardiner's original script. We watched the movie as a lesson on how movies often differ from the novel. One of my students found 85 changes (some very subtle) between the book and the movie. Still, it was fun to watch, and I believe the children got a lot out of watching the movie! I would recommend the film, but be prepared to have a discussion on the differences that can occur when a novel is made into a movie.

Stone Fox is a classic tale of the love between a boy and his dog, and more inspiring, the love of a boy for his grandfather. When his grandfather falls ill, Willie becomes responsible for saving the family's farm. His greatest ally becomes his dog, Morgan. With Morgan's help Willie challenges the Indian dog sled champion, Stone Fox, in his attempt to save his home.

This movie adaptation is awful. If you are familiar with the book you will need some antacid after seeing what they've done with the movie. Instead of a potato farm in crisis they change it to a cattle ranch. Instead of Grandpa's illness due to money worries they call it a stroke. Instead of a cranky old woman doctor they make her young and pretty. They add school chums and a pretty little girl love interest. They even change the poor dog's name. Little willy is portrayed as a whiny brat. Oh, No! the people who made this movie had no respect for the beauty of the simple book. Don't waste your money on this hideously expensive and poorly done adaptation.

Stone Fox is a woderful book, with lots of interesting parts. Little Willy and his Grandfather are in a slight problem, because Grandfather forgot to pay his taxes. "Oh..Oh." Little Willy decides he has to do something to earn fivehundred dollars, to pay the taxes. I recomend this book to any one whole likes action, and suspence. So read this book and find out what happens next.

Stone Fox is a great book written by John Reynolds Gardiner. This book is about a boy named Little Willy. His grandfather becomes sick because he can't pay back his taxes. Little Willy tries very hard to keep the potato farm running. Then he and his dog Searchlight enter a dogsled race. Can Willy and Searchlight save the farm and win the race before it's too late?

Although some major items were changed in the script from the book, my fourth graders loved seeing this movie as a culminating activity. Makes for a great comparison from book to movie. A tear jerker as well.

After my class read the book "Stone Fox" we watched this video to compare the two. It was a great way for kids to compare because there are several differences.

Stone Fox is a great movie. I used it in the classroom when I taught 3rd grade. I read the book, first, and then we watched the movie to compare. The book is extremely well written also. The end of each chapter is a cliff hanger.

never received the product. Very disappointed. No response from email, but my credit card was charged. Very unhappy with site and service.

My fifth grade class read the book Stone Fox. We also had several activities that we
completed to reinforce a wide variety of language and reading skills at the reading level of the novel. As a culminating activity we watched the VHS movie Stone Fox. After the movie the students analyzed the similarities and differences between an original text and its dramatic adaptation. The students loved the novel as well as the movie!