Un chien des Flandres

An appreciation for fine art, virtue, and relationships marks this family film set in Europe when Flanders was still Flanders before it was swallowed up by France and Belgium. But parents should be aware that this 95-minute video also features a good dollop of death, beginning with the demise of the hero's mother at the very beginning when he is just a baby. Raised by his impoverished grandfather (Jack Warden), Nello (Jeremy James Kissner) nevertheless finds happiness in the dog he finds left for dead, a neighbor girl who becomes his soul mate, and the talent for drawing he inherits from his mother. He even becomes the protégé of the town's premier painter (Jon Voight). But life holds many bitter lessons for Nello, including the death of his grandfather when he is a teen, betrayal by those he trusts, and his own near-death. Gorgeously shot on location by director and co-writer Kevin Brodie, this movie has many rewards, including, finally, a happy ending. For mature 7-year-olds and up.

i saw it just 3 days ago for the first time, and although i consider myself as a tough guy, i cried at the end ...lovely film...the people who remain untouched , simply have no heart....

sorry for my English... i have to fill the lines or it will not be published.. so, jon voight is always a plus, jack warden too, and the little nelo was very touching....

and elois, too.. i have to write more, as it seems... i loved it thanks i loved the green fields, the original places , but most of all , the characters and the struggle of the poor people for their living...it was a very special film...

This movie is wonderful, and very well-cast. I am so pleased to have the DVD. I originally had hoped to obtain the 1940's classic, starring Donald Crisp, and still hope to, in future. However, this 1999 version is great. Jon Voight is a favorite, as is Jack Warden. The fact that it is filmed entirely on location, in Flanders, is a plus, as well. It just proves that remakes of movies are sometimes just as good, if not better than, the original. And this is the case, with A Dog of Flanders. I have been to Belgium (Brussels, and Brugge), but not Flanders. Perhaps one day, I will have that pleasure. I have never before seen a Bouvier dog, and am very impressed with that breed of dog. At the end of the movie it says that Bouviers are not for everyone-I wonder why that is? I would be anxious for an explanation of that statement. Thank you, Linda Huthmaker, Torrance, California

I've just seen this movie on TV. When I saw it advertised, I thought that it would be interesting. And it was. The story of the kid all alone in the world, who is phorbidden to see his best friend and is unfairly accused of being a criminal and, above all dreams of being a great painter, accompanied by a dog was really going quite well. And when I saw that scene where the kid was watching is own funeral I thought it was going to end that way. But no! They had to put a cheesy, melodramatic ending with no sense at all. In my opinion, the movie would have been perfect if it had ended with the kid actually dying. It would make much more sense, given the evolution of the story. Like this it is a fantastic movie, with an horrible ending.

During a terrible winter storm, Mary is dying and must see that her baby Nello is taken care of. She leaves him with his grandfather Jehan, who is poor but loving.

Several years later, Nello is old enough to help Jehan with his milk deliveries in Antwerp. The two have little money and must strive to stay one step ahead of the evil landlord. But they are happy with their lives. It's quite unusual to see a young boy work hard and demand little without complaining. Nello considers William the Blacksmith to be a friend.

On one of his deliveries, Nello sees "a dog of Flanders" who appears to be dead. He is not, but we saw the dog being beaten by its cruel owner (for parents, I should point out the dog is not visible during the beating, but it is obvious what is going on). Nello revives the dog and takes him home.

Nello's mother was a talented artist, and Nello has inherited his mother's ability. Years later, Nello considers his neighbor Aloise Cogez not just a pretty model for his drawings, but also a potential girlfriend. Aloise's father Nicholas will not accept his daughter having anything to do with a poor boy; Nicholas grew up the poor son of a tinker but worked hard building the farm of his wife Anna into a successful business that by this time includes a mill. Anna is more willing to accept Nello but feels she must obey her husband.

The former owner of the dog recognizes the animal he abandoned and demands his return. Nello will not do it, which results in a fight that some children might find disturbing.

Artist Michel LeGrand believes Nello has the ability to become a great painter, and he teaches Nello what he needs to know. Eventually, Nello decides to enter a contest which will help him pay his mounting bills. The death of his grandfather leaves him with no family and no other means of income other than his art (although he is still able to deliver milk, supposedly).

This is a very good family film. Most of the leading performers do a good job. There is a minimum of offensive content. Most importantly, the movie teaches lessons about determination and hard work, and being happy regardless of your situation. Not that hard work always leads to rewards, but that just makes determination that much more important.