The Adventures of Greyfriars Bobby

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.

Let me say at the outset that this is a wee gem of a film. Put all the nit picking you may have heard about locations and breeds aside - they fade in the bright shiny faced light of John Henderson's lovely family film. It is a film trivia buff's dream in that there are incongruities in the story but this is not a film for obsessives and grown ups - it' s for kids and their parents. O.K.? And dog lovers. It delivers an hour and a half of perfectly paced entertainment and I really enjoyed it. My four year old daughter did too. A lot.

The key to the film is that the dog is the star - humans play big parts but the dog is the centre of the story. There are several excellent human performances, notably James Cosmo as the gravedigger, Ardal O'Hanlon, who has the best lines and the two "baddies". Steady work from Gina McKee and Greg Wise keeps the story plausible. Beautiful cinematography, a good music score, outstanding costumes and location dressing top up the whole and the result is a film which could become a modern classic.

Greyfriars Bobby isn't a clever dick film either - it's simple and understood by kids under 12. However, it holds everyone's attention and deals with some difficult issues really well.

What is the story? You don't know? O.K. Clever wee dog works with his master, a policemen, and is a general boon to his owner. Sadly, owner dies, but dog sits on his Master's grave "guarding" it. Villains try to get rid of said dog, but dog is gutsy and tenacious. Dog wins friends, becomes well known and has many adventures.

It's nice to see a film that's not full of egos and cgi inserts too - the cast are chosen, I guess, for their ability to play the role well enough and not steal the dog's thunder. John Henderson's comment to the audience was to the effect "If you don't like it, stuff you" but John, we do like it. It's nice and doesn't try to be anything else. Take as many kids to this film as you can - they'll love and you'll enjoy seeing that.

Although the film appears to be rather ordinary to some, it is the essence of the film, loyalty and dedication, that deserves a rating of 10. While observing the film, the severe winter could be felt. The abject poverty under which Bobby's master lived led to thinking that Bobby understood since he too, was subjected to the harshness of such a life of meager meals and shelter. The wonder of it was startling that such sensitivity was ingrained in Bobby's, humble, sublime character. Whether displayed in an expensive production or a low-budget film, Bobby's devotion to his master, is luminescent, radiating beyond the screen. It is "enduring" and that after all, is what makes a film memorable.

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.