Product Details

• Actors: Shigeru Tsuyuguchi, Kyôko Koizumi, Dudley Moore
• Directors: Masanori Hata
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Language: Japanese
• Rating: G (General Audience)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Sony Pictures
• VHS Release Date: June 21, 1994
• Run Time: 76 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (174 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6301817761
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #22,826 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #63 in

  Video > Art House & International > By Original Language > Japanese

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Japanese filmmaker Masanori Hata made this above-average family film about a dog and a cat--friends with a tendency to make mischief--who go on an unanticipated adventure when one is rushed downriver and the other follows. Hata, who took four years to complete the work, relies on purely cinematic storytelling techniques (these animals don't have human voices on the soundtrack), making the film an international favorite. Dudley Moore narrates, but the film works because Hata's filmmaking fundamentals are so good. Kids love this, but adults can easily appreciate and enjoy it, too. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars amazing nature photography, March 25, 2004

By	audrey (white mtns) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: The Adventures of Milo and Otis (DVD)

I didn't know what to think before seeing this movie. The opinions were so disparate. Now that I've seen it, I find I agree with both camps. It is a delightful AND troubling film.

This is a simple but timeless story of adventure and friendship. Milo the mischievous kitten and Otis the pug puppy are best friends. Otis even pursues his friend when he's carried down the river after jumping into a wooden box. Soon, both of them are lost as well as separated from each other. The adventures they have with other animals are amazing, numerous and varied. They interact with a bear cub, raccoon, fox, seagulls, a turtle, a fawn and many others. The interactions will amaze you -- I couldn't believe a pug was riding on a turtle's back!

The footage is incredible, and does make one worry about the animals. While the director has said that the animals were raised together and are friends, and this is believable, it cannot account for the cat being attacked by seagulls and later falling from a very high cliff into the ocean. This troubles me.

Dudley Moore's narration is flawless. He captures every voice perfectly. Background music is gentle orchestral pieces. You will be amazed (and maybe a little troubled). Your children will definitely enjoy it, and adults will, too.

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My heart and Milo and Otis, June 4, 2002

By	"riverboatcaptainjeffro" (san diego, ca) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Adventures of Milo and Otis (DVD)

ever since way back when, i was maybe 6 years old, i still remember when i first rented it from the video store. it took my little breathaway. whenever i went back to rent a movie, i begged my mom to let me rent it again, until she finally bought it for me.
this beautiful tale has so many layers, heart, and spirit, i can't begin to explain it. the first thing i should mention is, dont get fooled to thinking animals got hurt during the making of this, because they DIDNT. Masanori Hata takes VERY good care of his animals. he shot milo and otis on his own private island in Japan. the original movie was called the Adventures of Chatran, and it was longer. ( i've never seen it, i've been looking for years ) i hope someday i will see it. koneko monogatari ( milo and otis ) makes me cry at the beauty, sadness, and then joy finally. its a celebration of life. you can't dismiss it as a mere " kid's movie", it is for everyone. i detest the "adult" mindset, because it disables them from experiancing all forms of beauty. this is not a movie to me, it's a part of me, and it shares a special place in my heart.
i love milo and otis. - jeffro

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best family movies ever, December 16, 2003

By	rbt_austin "rbt_austin" (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Adventures of Milo and Otis (DVD)

This DVD is fantastic, it contains a widescreen presentation of a movie that kids love and parents will not get sick and tired of. This is an adventure/coming of age story of a dog and a cat, with nary a human being in sight. All kinds of animals make appearances and contribute to the plot! Narrated by Dudley Moore, who died recently (last year?) with some of the best cinematography EVER - amazing nature footage that will always captivate little ones attention. Highly, highly recommended.