Desafio de Lassie

The Scottish tale about a terrier has been altered to suit a famous MGM collie by the name of LASSIE--nothing wrong with that and no reason for another commentator to call this movie "evil". Isn't that carrying the notion of "politically incorrect" a bit too far??? The novel, of course, was "Greyfriar's Bobby", the story about a dog's faithful devotion to a departed master who insisted on sleeping on the man's grave.

MGM's roster of British talent play the Scots with varying degrees of success, including EDMUND GWENN, DONALD CRISP, HENRY STEPHENSON and REGINALD OWEN, with young GERALDINE BROOKS in the only important female role.

It passes the time pleasantly with the usual competent production values, but can't be ranked among the best of the Lassie films.

Its hard for me to watch this or judge it well as it seems, plot-wise, its successor 1960's Greyfriar's Bobby almost completely ripped off the plot.

When I read the synopsis in the TV guide, I actually thought the movie title was misprinted. However after giving it a shot, I did notice some amazing similarities and some good differences. Differences I guess that epitomised a Lassie film back then.

I know the 60's movie Greyfriar's Bobby very well, so I did chuckle at many references that was 'inspired or duplicated'.

And having Donald Crisp have a role in the movie, then 11 years later appear in effectively the same movie, in a different role tied both the movies well. But to me Greyfriar's Bobby, the TRUE dog, will always be better than Lassie.

Lassie or Bobby.. it doesn't really matter. The story is absolutely compelling from start to finish.

I am personally quite surprised at the film's low rating here. I love this film, I find it so easy to love and so endearing, affectionate and touching. The film looks gorgeous, with lush scenery and cinematography, and the music is soothing and fits splendidly. The dialogue amused and moved me, the story was always engaging and poignant and the film pace-wise was never dull, at least not for me. It is beautifully directed as well, and while actors such as Edmund Gwenn and Donald Crisp give very likable performances and fit their characters very well, Lassie steals the show. She is absolutely adorable, and I can't count the number of times I empathised with her here.

All in all, a lovely film. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Edmund Gwenn and Donald Crisp join Lassie the Collie once more after having been teamed in the otherwise-unrelated "The Hills Of Home" from 1948. This heart-tugging, family-oriented saga, based on the book "Greyfriars Bobby" by Eleanor Atkinson, involves stray, untagged Lassie with a crusty old coot who can't figure out why the dog has a confounding need to get into the Greyfriars Churchyard, where animals are forbidden. Geraldine Brooks is the proverbial pretty girl/Elizabeth Taylor substitute, Kathryn Beaumont has an uncredited bit as a neighborhood child, Gwenn is his usual spunky self, yet the whole show belongs to Lassie. Whether crossing a wide river, digging her way out of a barn, climbing out a window, or outwitting the hysterical humans, the dog is shown to a star's advantage. Story remade by Disney in 1960 (under its original title and with a Skye terrier in the lead). ** from ****

Was there ever an animal actor as compelling and affecting as Lassie? Regardless of the sex confusion (the first Lassie was actually a male, not the female the dog portrayed), Lassie was competent in his roles, this film being no exception.

The story is simple and heartfelt, based upon a true event - a terrier who so loved his master that, when he died, would faithfully guard and sleep on his dead master's grave. Hence "Greyfriar's Bobby" and his story was born. Take the time to look it up online, it's a wonderful story of love, devotion and how a town got involved in the life of one, poor dog.

The cast is delightful, filled with my favorite character actors from the 1940s - Donald Crisp, Edmund Gwenn, Reginald Owen, Alan Napier - wonderful actors no matter what the role.

According to IMDb, some of the filming was done at the actual location of Greyfriar's Churchyard. If true, it brings a beautiful touch of authenticity, even if Lassie is a collie and not a terrier.

This film is especially good for children to watch, as it teaches a lesson about devotion and loyalty and the heavy price one might have to pay for both. But the denouement is uplifting and joyous, and very special to watch.

I've loved this movie since I was a child, and now almost a half-century later, it still holds up,.

Treat your children and yourselves to a sweet, uplifting experience. The "Challenge To Lassie" is worth your time.