The Adventures of Greyfriars Bobby

The story of Greyfriars Bobby is one that has no definitive true version, as there is much debate about this real life story and many of the details. Because of this, it didn't bother me too much that the film says it is BASED on the dog's life. Adding a few details and fictionalizing up the story, a bit, didn't bother me because of this. However, one detail that is consistent in the stories is that Bobby was a terrier, but looked little like the West Highland White terrier you see in the movie. Most say Bobby was a Skye terrier, but photos of him don't really look like a Skye but a mixed dark terrier about the size of a Skye or Westie. So why didn't they at least use a dog that looked more like Bobby (such as a Cairn or Border terrier)? Apparently, Westies are more photogenic or something. I didn't like this choice...but unlike one reviewer who gives the movie a 1 just because of this, I am willing to cut it a bit of slack.

As per what we know about the wee doggy, he was owned by a night watchman who died prematurely due to tuberculosis. Following the man's death, the dog seemed to follow the daily route of his master as well as hang out at his master's grave. The film particularly focused on the grave, not the route nor how the doggy often was seen next door at a local pub which his owner frequented.

So do I recommend the film? Well, it's an enjoyable dog movie provided you don't spend too much time comparing it to the older Disney version...which I think is superior. But it's not a bad tale and is well worth seeing.

By the way, I noticed a lot of 10s and 9s among the reviews and wonder if this is more an indication that these folks love dogs as opposed to this being a superior production. I adore dogs myself but cannot see giving it a score much higher than 7 or 8 for technical and dramatic reasons.

Though this isn't a great dramatisation of the famous tale of Edinburgh lore, there's no getting way from the charm of the true story it's based on. "Bobby" is a scruffy looking terrier who steadfastly refuses to leave the graveside of his late master. Despite the best efforts of the cemetery keeper "James" (James Cosmo) to evict him, the dog persists, and gradually becomes quite a useful tool for vermin control. This doesn't convince the nasty "Johnson" (Ronald Pickup) who is determined to see the back of the little yapper. Eventually, he seeks recourse to the law of the land - and with doom looming, it falls to the children of the city to appeal to the Lord Provost (Christopher Lee). He's the Queen's representative and perhaps he can help? What really put me off here was the light. It's clearly been done on a budget, but it's not been done very well and with the rain showers clearly emanating from hoses the whole thing has a sort of yellowy hue that's oddly sterile to watch. Director John Henderson has assembled a decent enough cast of British regulars, though, and there's an engaging effort from newcomer Oliver Golding as his would-be saviour "Ewan" who must undergo the strains of oakum picking and his own tragedy, but still determines to keep the wee dog safe. There's a nice score from Mark Thomas to accompany it and though not really very memorable, it's still a decent rendition to watch on the television.

i had no idea what to expect from this movie, i never even new the story and that bad form being form Scotland. This is a beautiful movie and really worth watching but i don't think its really suitable for under 10's as it does deal with some bad issues but they do it in a really good way. Its also a bit of a tear jerker in the end. I have no idea why people have voted this movies so low as it is very good and very entertaining. The dog i thought was the star of the show, very clever and very cute indeed. It makes me want to look more into the story and the history of Edinburgh. All in all go and see this you wont be disappointed, i wasn't!

Took my 2 boys aged 8 and 5 to see it and they loved it.Gerry Cott who trained Bobby did a wonderful job.Bobbys antics were hilarious and he really captured the heart of the audience. Cinema had an audience aged from 1 to approx. 75 and everyone leaving at end only had good things to say. The scenery is amazing and being able to recognise places made the film even more special. Ardal O'Hanlon,Christopher Lee and James Cosmo all played excellent parts. This film pulls at the heart strings and you feel for the characters so much more than you do in most new releases. As for my two,they applauded Bobbys final act to the baddies and we are going back for a second viewing this week.

Whatever be Dog's stories I'm in due already hang out with five of those men's best friends, based on true story of little Tessier Bobby at Edinburgh around 1860, reading all reviews here, some arguing that story isn't accurate, however a question remains, what movie portraits the real events totally accuracy? Well hard to find due it needs an adaptation to became it fully engaging in the sight of the audience, by imputing some villains to improve the dramatism.

The Constable John Grey (Thomas Lockyer) has an esteemed Terrier dog whereby together with the little boy Ewan Adams (Oliver Golding) used to go a nearby hill, where the wind blows hard, very akin with whistling ghostly sound, John Grey comes to die soon, buried at Greyfriars's graveyard, Bobby instead to stay at widow's home, he usually sit down at John Grey's gravesite mostly of time and all night long, leaving the spot to catch rats,

Somehow it's backed by the local Minister Lee that used to make harsh criticism addressed to powerful owner of textile mills Duncan Smithie (Sean Pertwee) and also Lord Cecil Johnson maintainer director of foster home, such criticizes over lack of investment of Old City that remains in unhealthy conditions, it turns back against the Dog little Bobby whereof the Minister Lee has a great concern, thus Booby becomes the target of rage from the duo.

After many failed attempts to avoid and keep the little Dog farthest away, the infamous duo find out a loophole in the law, every stray dogs without owner should be sacrificed, here is the real issue, the Bobby's former owner already died, actually he living at Greyfriars John Gray's graveyard, thus he is ownerless Dog and fits in the law of stray dogs, therephore......

The casting is mostly unknown for us aside Christopher Lee that appears just in last section together with Ian Richardson as the Judge, it wasn't a Disney production whatsoever, although has many akin elements that improve the picture as follow, set in Victorian age it displayed the old Edinburgh utterly authentic and all place around as alleys, cobbled streets, ancient textiles mill and graveyard as well, without forget the supporting casting with colorful characters as the Coconut Tam, and good-nature cemetery's keeper among others.

Thanks for reading.

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First watch: 2023 / Source: DVD / How many: 1 / Rating: 7.