Where the Red Fern Grows

I first watched this movie when I was a child probably around 2004 or 2005 whenever it was on DVD. It inspired me, enthralled me, and broke my heart. The first movie I ever cried watching and rewatching it today it still makes me cry.

The movie doesn't dilly-dally too much with a brief 85 minute runtime. But it certainly takes you through a whole world of emotions, a wonderful journey of boyhood and expression of love and family. I'm not religious, never have been, but even the religious themes present are wholesome and certainly not jarring.

I have never read the book or seen the 1974 movie so I have no biases going into this other than nostalgia. But trust me when I say this is required viewing for families of animal lovers as it tackles some heavy subjects in a way that will stick with kids, and can even help adults as well.

To start, I am a huge Red Fern fan. I have the first one on DVD and video and also have read the book several times. I am from Tahlequah, OK where the movies were filmed and so it does strike a home chord for me. I finally purchased the remake today and I must say that I am so disappointed. Usually remakes kind of mix things up a little bit to make it a little more interesting than the first . . . this is exactly like the first, almost word for word and the acting leaves you wondering where they come up with these people at. Dave Matthews should stick with his singing gig and the boy that played Billy Coleman was awful. Also the movie was very unrealistic. I have been coon hunting several times and you let the dogs do the hunting and just wait until they bark treed. This poor kid is running all over the woods right behind the coon. UNREALISTIC. Also, I love how it is pouring down rain and they are fogging up dust. Poor special effects! Dust doesn't fog up in the rain! This movie was a good waste of $21 and also a good waste of Tahlequah's money since most of the bills were left unpaid here by the production crew! BAD MOVIE!

Where the Red Fern grows is a heart warming movie, this movie reminds me of my childhood. I miss the days when i ran wild and free and kept in touch with nature, i didn't need a cell phone, TV or internet to be entertained. Billy had a innocent up bringing he is persistent and a hard worker. The Coleman family were respectful and had good morals. Billy got a pair of dogs which he loved and also teaching him responsibility, he spent most of his time with his dogs hunting racoon's, keeping him busy and out of trouble. This movie taught me material things don't always make u happy and also to be grateful for my family and for the things I have

The problem with this movie is the pacing. I was, perhaps foolishly, anticipating something grand when I rented the DVD, since I love the book and quite liked the original 1974 film. I had been told that the 2003 remake was accurate to Wilson Rawls' novel. Strictly speaking, this is true, but therein lies it's downfall.

Movies adapted from books often have to have sections removed or characters cut because, unlike films, no book is designed to be enjoyed in a single sitting. In this movie the acting is beyond hurried as people race through their lines, desperate to include every utterance of the novel in less than two hours. The results are dismal. The only time I've seen worse butchery of a good novel was the atrocious movie version of "The Hotel New Hampshire" by John Irving.

If you love the book, read the book; or maybe get nostalgic and rent the original. Don't rent this version unless you just need something, anything, to sit some kids in front of for an afternoon while you balance your checkbook.

I had the privilege of being at the World Premiere of "Where The Red Fern Grows" May 3, 2003 at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York. I have worked for three years to help bring the film out of the financial problems that has kept it from being finished and released. There were many others who dedicated so much of their time doing the same thing, one of which was not fortunate enough to make the credits, Julie Davis. We owe her great gratitude. There were so many who did all they could to see the film come to fruition. All believed in this film and the final product speaks for itself.

Joseph Ashton, who played the lead role Billy Coleman, did a fantastic job. I spoke with him at the premiere and, not only is he a great actor, but he is an extremely nice young man. Joseph definitely has a great future in the film business. Also the rest of the cast gave great performances. Dave Mathews was perfect in his role and showed that he too has a great future as an actor in the film biz if he so desires. A damned good job for the first time out.

Lyman Dayton, who was the producer on the 1974 version of "The Red Fern" was the beginning director/producer/screenplay writer of the new version. He was with it when it fell into financial troubles and tried constantly to save the film. I presented the film to a fine producer/businessman Bob Yari, and after a couple of years of various negotiations, he brought in Crusader Entertainment(who had tried to make a deal before) and the film was brought out of financial problems and made ready to finish. Sam Pillsbury, a well respected director, was brought in to finish "The Red Fern". Sam did a fantastic job finishing the film and taking it to the silver screen. The extraordinary contribution of these two great directors, that led to the finished product, can be seen and felt throughout the film.

At the premiere, everyone was struck by the emotions, humor, suspense, and the heart felt feelings experienced from this film. And at the end I will guarantee you that there was not a dry eye in the audience. Yes, "Where The Red Fern Grows" will finally be on the big screen, and is destined to be a Classic Family Film for many years to come. I am extremely proud to have the credit as one of the executive producers.

Wayne Mooneyhan Executive Producer