Le défi de Lassie

Supposedly based on a true story this takes place in Scotland. Lassie's owner 'Jock' Gray (Donald Crisp) is killed by two thieves. Lassie will not rest unless she's sleeping by his grave. Unfortunately the laws in Scotland do not allow dogs in the graveyard and any dog that does not have an owner must be destroyed. Residents of the town try to save Lassie from being put to sleep against the nasty old judges.

OK--the plot is ridiculous and everybody talks down to the audience but what do you expect from a kids movie? Those problems aside, this is a great movie. It has incredible color photography and some of the backgrounds are just breath taking. Every single shot is in rich strong color and looks just beautiful. It also has a very impressive score that matches the movie beautifully. The acting is as OK as it could be and is mostly done by a competent group of character actors or unknowns. But this film belongs to Lassie. She looks just beautiful all through the film and there are incredible closeups of her. Also she does some impressive stunts for any dog. My one complaint is that she whines WAY too much. Yes, it fits the film but got on my nerves after a while. It's also pretty obvious that some of her whining was overdubbed! Still, this is a really beautiful film with a cute dog, beautiful color and a great score. Highly recommended for kids AND adults!

It's 1860 Edinburgh. Lassie is on trial. John Traill (Edmund Gwenn) insists on giving voice to the dog as he recounts the story. Jock Gray (Donald Crisp) saved Lassie as a pup and they become inseparable. Even after his death, she remains at his unmarked grave. The local magistrate orders the unlicensed dog be destroyed since her owner is dead and only the owner can pay for the license.

It's a simple family film. The premise is a little silly if it isn't life and death for the dog. The best moment is certainly the children coming to court. It's the same as the mail bags delivered to the court to prove Santa's identity. All in all, it's good simple family fare.

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

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.