Owd Bob

The main conflict in the book seems to have been softened for its expected family audience. At the heart of the book is the terrible anger and devastation felt by old Adam McAdam over the death of his wife. Adam takes out his anger on his son, who seeks solace with the neighboring family, the Moores. Without Adam's bitterness, there is no story. I received this book when I was a child and much too young to understand the conflicts in it. Only when I reread it as an adult, did I get the full value of it. It's too bad that a good film, for grownups hasn't ever been made of it. Forget the details of whether or not the dogs' behavior is realistic. Give us a believable character struggling with the pain of a disappointed, cheated life.

I happened to watch OWD BOB on TV last night and I was very glad to find out that it's an English movie after I was convinced that the girl Maggie has very English accent( London accent actually). I had lived in England for three years and it's a shame that I didn't visit Isle of Man. The scene in the movie was beautiful and peaceful. It reminds me of Isle of Skye which I visited this summer. The movie was about quiet countryside life but it didn't bore me. James Cromwell was brilliant as an old withdrawn farmer. I thought the character was in his sixties, but I found out on internet that he's only 57 when the film was made.

I don't think the movie has shown much about the dog Owd BOB. It's more about the relationship between the grandfather and grandson, and people's feeling about each other. The movie doesn't have much dialogue, but we could feel what they were thinking. The movie has some little mistakes, but generally it's a good touching film that make me think.

I wish that I would go back to UK and visit the island one day.

I have just received this film on DVD from the USA, This is a warm hearted film about his a boy who has come to the Isle of Man to live with his grandfather.

The film is set in the north of the Isle of Man and the views it shows will bring back memories of those that have left the island. The film is very well acted by all that took part.

I recommend this a first class family film.

Poor David (Dylan Provencher). His parents have died in a car accident in the States. With no other choice, he is sent to live with his only known relative, his grandfather Adam (James Cromwell) on the Isle of Man. Before David lands on the beautiful island in the Irish Sea, his grandfather has to be persuaded by the social services to let the boy stay with him, as Adam is a bitter, crusty recluse. However, things initially go well. Perhaps it is because David volunteers to help with the work almost the minute he arrives. This involves taking care of the farm, especially the herd of sheep. Yet, as David soon discovers, there is a sheepdog as testy as Adam, named Zack, who minds the sheep. One day, David makes the acquaintance of near neighbors, Maggie and her father Michael, but as soon as Adam finds out, he tells David not to see them again. There is, you see, a long-standing grievance between Adam and Michael. In addition, they are rivals in the island's annual sheepdog contest, where Maggie's dog Owd Bob is second only to Zack. David and Maggie continue to see each other on the sly. Soon, a crisis occurs. There are lambs turning up dead on the hills and the suspected killer is Zack, Adam's dog, though he vehemently denies it. Also, sadness arrives at Maggie's house and Zack wants to help but is forbidden. What will happen to all of the folks on this little speck of gorgeous land? This is a fine tale with a breathtaking setting which few will get to visit. The Isle of Man sits in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland and it will put your eye out with its beauty. Meanwhile, this is really a story of two dogs, Bob and Zack, and the quarreling families who own them. There is much screen time devoted to the problems of the humans, too. Cromwell is an exceptional actor and he repeats the farmer's role he had in Babe, only with no seeming warmth in his heart. Provencher, Colm Meany and all of the other cast members are quite fine, too. Be forewarned that tears are likely to gush forth at any viewing. But, for certain, get this film now, before you are OWD! Its wonderful.

I`ve seen the movie on ppv and there I only watched because of James Cromwell and Colm Meany (I'm a Trekker!). But then I began to forget about their roles in DS9. This movie takes you into the story like no other film! If you like films like this or not, watch it!