5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Beautiful Film, April 12, 2003
By A Customer
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.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pleasant, But Is This Animal Cruelty?, May 12, 2011
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.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Delightful and Relevant Film!, September 8, 2009
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!
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