Where the Red Fern Grows

I first watched this movie when I was a child probably around 2004 or 2005 whenever it was on DVD. It inspired me, enthralled me, and broke my heart. The first movie I ever cried watching and rewatching it today it still makes me cry.

The movie doesn't dilly-dally too much with a brief 85 minute runtime. But it certainly takes you through a whole world of emotions, a wonderful journey of boyhood and expression of love and family. I'm not religious, never have been, but even the religious themes present are wholesome and certainly not jarring.

I have never read the book or seen the 1974 movie so I have no biases going into this other than nostalgia. But trust me when I say this is required viewing for families of animal lovers as it tackles some heavy subjects in a way that will stick with kids, and can even help adults as well.

Its not better. It's not worse; it's just different enough to make it as enjoyable and powerful as the original. Dave Matthews impresses with his believable portrayal; as does the rest of the cast. Dabney Coleman, who's characters are usually sleazy, did excellent and likable work. More "historically " accurate than the original movie, it seems. From the costumes to sets, to the acting. Only reason i gave it an 8 is so many tiny details overlooked that could have been included with little trouble.

Where the Red Fern grows is a heart warming movie, this movie reminds me of my childhood. I miss the days when i ran wild and free and kept in touch with nature, i didn't need a cell phone, TV or internet to be entertained. Billy had a innocent up bringing he is persistent and a hard worker. The Coleman family were respectful and had good morals. Billy got a pair of dogs which he loved and also teaching him responsibility, he spent most of his time with his dogs hunting racoon's, keeping him busy and out of trouble. This movie taught me material things don't always make u happy and also to be grateful for my family and for the things I have

Well, in all truth, I rented this because of Dave Matthews, because I love his music. I didn't know what to expect. And while he was OK, and this is a star filled cast, I did not like the movie. Very cheesy, very boring. And everyone looked way too clean for an old Oklahoma farm family setting. Definitely not my cup of tea.

This movie was a very good adaptation of the book, and this coming from someone who is very critical. I have, like most, read the book many times, which I think makes it harder to like any film adaptation. However, the movie follows the book very well, omitting small things that really didn't have a lot to do with the plot-line. I would say the movie had a little more of a religious slant than the book did. The acting was nice. I would say the major criticism would be they didn't really get into the dog's personalities much. The book did a great job of showing Dan as a clutz with a big heart and Ann as the smart one. However, I would recommend this and it was a million times better than the original movie adaptation.