DVD

Average customer rating:

Have fun with this
Good showcase for optimistic existentialism
A Good Film for Families with Mature Children
Nice Disney syle fare

A Dog of Flanders
Starring: Monique Ahrens , Theodore Bikel , Max Croiset , Katherine Holland , and John Soer
Director: James B. Clark
Manufacturer: Sterling Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

All Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Dog of Flanders
Wolf Mountain
The Golden Seal
Misty
Entrusted

ASIN: B00007M5II
Release Date: 2002-04-30

Customer Reviews:

Have fun with this.......2007-05-12

Fun, if a little schmaltzy. Watch it with the kids. You've seen this dog before - in OLD YELLER.

Good showcase for optimistic existentialism.......2004-10-23

This is an interesting story that consistently presents the optimistic and appealing side of existentialism. The characters are multi-dimensional and believable, and the story touching but not sappy (except maybe the ending). The acting and video are typical of 1959 and are a bit jarring now -- but the story makes up for it, in my opinion.

The movie presents a consistent, optimistic existentialist point of view: virtue is having and making choices which shape your own destiny; while un-virtue is having or exercising no control over one's life. Also, virtue is focusing on the individual human side of people, while un-virtue is treating people legalistically as objects. As the plot progresses, Nello, though persistent and determined in his pursuit of his dream, finds his choices slipping away until it looks like he has lost everything, even his life. But in the end, he, the miller, the legalistic priest, and the artist mentor all find existential redemption.

I've also reviewed the 1999 version of this movie, which I really disliked. I go into more details about the characters and compare the 1959 and 1999 versions point by point. You may find that review helpful also.

A Good Film for Families with Mature Children.......2004-10-22

This movie would be just another run-of-the-mill movie about an orphan boy and a dog with some serious overacting on the part of Theodore Bikel, among others, but there are parts of this movie that make it worth watching.

Nello, played by David Ladd, the future husband of Cheryl Ladd, lives with his grandfather after his mother passed away. Nello loves art and paintings and longs to be a painter. He frequently sneaks into the local cathedral to avoid paying a franc to see original paintings by Peter Paul Rubens. However, Nello's grandfather is poor and the pair can barely afford to eat, much less purchase paints for Nello. However, in spite of the little they have the two are happy.

Life changes for Nello when he and his grandfather come upon a dog left to die. Nello wants to adopt the dog and help it, and his grandfather reluctantly agrees. The principal difficulty is that there is barely enough food for Nello and his grandfather, and the dog is just that much more burden. Things continue to degrade for Nello as the miller refuses to allow his daughter to play with Nello after catching Nello drawing her picture. Then the man who abandoned the dog tries twice to take it back, planning to abuse the dog again. The second time the man attempts to take the dog back the miller gets involved and the man meets an unfortunate end. It seems as though life continues to go down hill for Nello.

There is one bright spot in Nello's life. He has made a kind of friend of a painter in Antwerp who, after yelling and complaining to Nello, has started to help Nello realize his ambition of becoming a painter. Ultimately the painter helps Nello enter a local painting competition by providing Nello with paper and paints. Nello's grandfather sold some things and allowed Nello to buy a brush before he died. Nello's one great hope is that he will win the painting contest, which will allow him to continue to live in his rented hovel.

While you can see where Nello has hope that all will turn out well, there are too many factors working against Nello, and eventually he gives his dog to the Miller's daughter and leaves. In the meantime, the painter has found the painting that Nello has entered in the contest and wants to talk to him about it, but then he finds that Nello has disappeared. Where did Nello go? What will happen to his dog? Did I mention that Nello wonders why the painter has yet to marry his model, who is obviously in love with him? I leave these questions for you to answer if you can find a copy of this movie.

Difficult to see from the quality of the movie, but the paintings by Peter Paul Rubens are truly wondrous and appear to be authentic. Even with the weak video I will still impressed by these magnificent paintings. The cathedral in which they were housed, which the end credits states is genuine, is gorgeous, a fitting home for the art within.

The quality of this movie may leave a bit to be desired, as the performances vary from wooden to hammy, but the scenery in 1959 Belgium and Holland, especially the cathedral interiors, is beautiful, and the story should appeal to mature children ages 7 and above who can handle the occasional violence. David Ladd is wonderful as the center of the attention and his perfect blend of enthusiasm and innocence brings to mind Little Orphan Annie.

Nice Disney syle fare.......2004-06-21

I remember enjoying watching this on the Wonderful World of Disney as a child. A "boy meets dog, loses grandfather, finds new family" formula film. A couple of sad/scary moments, nicely smoothed over by the sudden appearance of a parent/adult to explain things.

A pleasant, if bland depiction of Flanders in 1900. Worth watching to see scenes of Antwerp in 1959 when it was filmed.

Out of print I believe, but may still be found in bargain bins.

Average customer rating:

A Good Christian movie
Ugh! Sappy and cheesy!
Really sweet and winsome
A Boy Meets A (Very Unique) Dog: Classic Tale for Children
Aboaned,Misguied,Blamed ,and worst of all he suffered it!

Dog of Flanders
Starring: Jack Warden , Jeremy James Kissner , Jesse James , Jon Voight , and Cheryl Ladd
Director: Kevin Brodie
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Animals | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

A Dog of Flanders
Bouvier des Flandres (Comprehensive Owners Guide)
Far From Home - The Adventures Of Yellow Dog
Bouvier Des Flanders: The Dogs of Flandres
A Dog of Flanders (Dover Children's Thrift Classics)

ASIN: B00008MTY3
Release Date: 2003-05-06

Amazon.com

An appreciation for fine art, virtue, and relationships marks this family film set in Europe when Flanders was still Flanders before it was swallowed up by France and Belgium. But parents should be aware that this 95-minute video also features a good dollop of death, beginning with the demise of the hero's mother at the very beginning when he is just a baby. Raised by his impoverished grandfather (Jack Warden), Nello (Jeremy James Kissner) nevertheless finds happiness in the dog he finds left for dead, a neighbor girl who becomes his soul mate, and the talent for drawing he inherits from his mother. He even becomes the protégé of the town's premier painter (Jon Voight). But life holds many bitter lessons for Nello, including the death of his grandfather when he is a teen, betrayal by those he trusts, and his own near-death. Gorgeously shot on location by director and cowriter Kevin Brodie, this movie has many rewards, including, finally, a happy ending. For mature 7-year-olds and up. --Kimberly Heinrichs

Description

Thanks to the support of a loving dog that he helps nurse back to health, an aspiring young artist never gives up hope, despite being subjected to all sorts of terrible hardships.

Customer Reviews:

A Good Christian movie.......2007-01-31

This movie is the type of movie you wouldn't mind viewing with your children or grandchildren. It is a movie to make you smile and cry, a movie of tragedy, hope and love when all seems hopeless.

Ugh! Sappy and cheesy!.......2004-10-23

I own the 1959 production of this film and like it. So with high hopes, I rented and watched the 1999 version last night. The production is better, as one would expect. But the interesting, multi-dimensional characters from the 1959 version have turned into flat, good or evil charicatures; the philosophy has taken a decidedly post-modern turn; and the plot has been altered from touching (1959) to sappy sentimentality (1999). It has transformed from a touching, interesting story to a flat fairy tale.

In 1959, the grandfather opposes Nello's desire to be a painter, saying that it is no way to earn a living. Likewise, Nello's artist mentor in Antwerp (one of the primary and most interesting characters) lives with his model and tries on several occasions to talk Nello out of being a painter. The miller is a reasonable but hard man who just wants the best for his daughter. The landlord is evil enough to serve the plot, but human enough to be believable: I know people like him <shiver>! The movie presents a consistent, optimistic existentialist point of view: virtue is having and making choices which shape your own destiny; while un-virtue is having or exercising no control over one's life. Also, virtue is focusing on the relational, human side of people, while un-virtue is treating people legalistically as objects. As the plot progresses, Nello, though persistent and determined in his pursuit of his dream, finds his choices slipping away until it looks like he has lost everything, even his life. But in the end, he, the miller, the legalistic priest, and the artist mentor all find existential redemption. The ending is rather contrived, but not so much that it ruins the movie. The production and acting are typical of the time; they were perfectly fine back then, but now we are used to much better and you may find them a bit jarring. For example, Nello is the only one in the movie with an American accent!

In 1999, the grandfather is a sappy dotard who fawns over Nello's art and spouts new age platitudes. The mentor also encourages Nello, treats him with kid gloves, and turns out to be Nello's father (jerk those tears!). The miller is a miserly fool who values his money above all else. The landlord is so evil he's funny, not scary; he should be in a Western melodrama. The worldview is a post-modern mish-mash of existentialism, nihilism, new-age spiritualism, Eastern monisim (expressed by the fortune teller), and Christianity. The story is pure good against pure evil, with every opportunity for cheap sentimentality liberally exploited. Visually, this film is much better than 1959; I especially liked the gypsy circus scene. But this is a technical element, and a movie stands or falls on its story and worldview, not its technique.

My recommendation: Skip the 1999 version and get the 1959 version.

Really sweet and winsome.......2002-10-16

It starts out slow with what looks to be a really boring rainy village dog film but turns out to be a wonderful and original movie. The acting is great on all hands but especially by the lead actor who plays Nello. Adults and children alike will enjoy it. There is a fight scene with a cleaver which though not bloody at all could frighten young children. Also a scene with a gypsy fortune teller that as achristian I zipped over. It is a sweet story that is very inspiring.

A Boy Meets A (Very Unique) Dog: Classic Tale for Children.......2002-04-30

It's a long loved story from the pen of the 19th Century then popular female writer Ouida, and now "A Dog of Flanders" is again treated as a movie for family viewing. Though the result turned out a mixed bag, it's not totally a messed job, and if you think about giving something to a kid, this is not a bad choice. And this film displays something very intersting about the cultural difference between Japan and USA.

This famous short story follows a hard-working Belgian boy Nello, whose ambition is to be a great painter, namely this case, Reubens. Through the boy is loved by his grandfather Daas and his girlfriend Aloise, and not least his Bouvier dog Patrasche, his life is not an easy one, bringing milk to the town every day with Patrasche pulling the cart. One day, he is "found" by a graet master of painting Michell (Jon Voight with a hevey accent), and Nello learns from the master that there is an annual contest for aspiring painters. But while he was trying to finish his work, a tragic accident happens to his life.

The film makes great changes to the original short story (especially the ending), but how you respond to that liberty will depend on your judgement. The fact that the critical reaction was at best very luckwarm proves that adults viewers might find this one very ordinary and mundane, and probably the film deserves better treatment. Though the locations are perfect, the story looks too banal, and -- this is more important -- it doesn't know its audience. Parents might be uncomfortable to see a dog is beaten by a drunken guy, or most of all, the secret of Nello's parentage is revealed. In fact, Nello's mother comes back home in the opening blizzard scene with a baby Nello -- clearly an echo of "Oliver Twist" -- but some kids (under the age of 3-6) may find it hard to understand why she think she is "disgraced" (the film uses this word at the end). Strangely Victorian here, but anyway, not a big matter, though.

As a whole, "A Dog of Flanders" is a satisfactry movie for older kids, and though it shows its hands too predictable way, the story itself is good, and it conveys surely its messages to kid's heart. The leading actors are in good form, and the dog is ... er ... very unique. so if you like dogs, you may be interested. And for adult viewers like me, it is a good thing to see Cheryl Ladd (ex-Chalie's Angels) again.

[ABOUT THE DIFFERENT ENDING OF THE FILM: COULD BE A SPOILER ... MAYBE NOT]

The Japanese version of this film has a different ending, which imdb doesn't seem to record. Japanese version doesn't have the last 5 minutes of the American counterpart, making the ending faithful to the original book. This is because this story is a vastly loved one in Japan owing to its very popular TV series made about 20 years ago, and every Japanese viewer knows its original ending. Producers, therefore, must have judged it unwise to "compromise" its ending as its new American version does. The actual difference is as follows:

Japanese version: Nello meets his mother again; they hug each other; (then the film directly jumps to the final cut of American film showing statue of Ruebens); two lights, presumably souls of them, going up to the Heaven; end credit rolls up.

This is a minor thing, I know, but it is intersting to note this differnce between Japanese and American sensibility.

And if you like this one, you may watch older version made in 1959. There is a Japanese animated version (2000) too, and this fact testifies to its popularity of this story. The original writer Ouida (a pen name for Louise De LaRamee, Bristish writer) herself loved dogs so much, and she is known for her life surrounded by dogs in Italy when she was old and impoverished. Check out the book too, if you like.

Aboaned,Misguied,Blamed ,and worst of all he suffered it!.......2002-03-28

Young Nello Daas and his mother Mary Daas were very poor they were both aboaned bye the anoymous father of Nello.Soon Mary travels too her father's house .6 years later Nello is now about 6 or 7 his mother is dead and he is living as a traveler milk seller .He is so happy until oddly his world comes crashing down very soon a new chacter arrives on the scene Master Stephens a very sturub man who makes Nello and his grandfather pay the rent.3 years later Nello is soon misguied bye his best friend Aloise's father .Later on the shed was caught on fire in the middle of the night .Nello was blamed soon Nello realize's that he won't become a great artist.With that he looses a art contest ,but things look up when he finds a wallet.knowing it is Master Cogez wallet he returns it then runs .This is not a drama master piece .But in 1999 Kevin Brodie did win a Oscar for this film .No it's not a masterpiece but it did win a Oscar and this is all it needs .1.A Good Title 2.Great Actors 3.Terrific Music 4.Some religon mentioned 5.Action 6.Must be emotional 7.A award 8.Romace is good 9.A good intersing plot last but not least A good feeling.This movie just still sends chills up my spine .Just watching how Nello struggles and how he starts too relize that he is loved and that he does have a father that loves him dearly. This on a scale of 1 to 10 a perfect 10!!!!

Average customer rating:

So sweet yet sad.
One of the Best Moives Ever!
The Dog of Flanders - It was okay.
This is not 1975, but 1999 version.
Original was better

The Dog of Flanders
Starring: Michie Kita , Reiko Katsura (II) , Kuriko Komamura , Masako Sugaya , and Taeko Nakanishi
Director: Yoshio Kuroda
Manufacturer: Geneon [Pioneer]
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Animals | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Anime & Manga | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

My Neighbor Totoro
Howl's Moving Castle
Whisper of the Heart

ASIN: 6305731934
Release Date: 2000-03-07

Amazon.com

Ouida's Flemish classic children's novel of the late 1800s gets a slightly more unusual treatment here than in the 1999 live-action release. Originally a 1975 Japanese series called Furandaasu No Inu, The Dog of Flanders, set in 19th-century Belgium, is in the original Japanese with English subtitles. While the packaging proclaims it appropriate for ages 3 and up, it's best for older children, unless they can read English or understand Japanese. The subject matter--which covers death, despair, and unresolved disappointment--may be difficult for sensitive viewers. The story follows the adventures of artist Nello, a young peasant boy separated from his closest companion, wealthy Aloise. Nello only has his beloved grandfather and his faithful dog Patrasche, but his grandfather dies suddenly. Nello must fend for himself. Dog and boy master brave a frightful snowstorm, at the end of which Nello is finally able to view the work of his idol, Reubens. The ending, while grim, switches to the future with a grown Aloise (now a nun), and it's clear Nello's spirit lives through his still-devoted friend. A wonderfully animated film for the viewer who has the maturity to understand its deeply powerful story. --N.F. Mendoza

Description

Come experience the granduer, the beauty and the tragedy... A heartfelt story of a poor young boy dealing with the hardships of having to grow up too fast in a world that doesn't care. Based on a Flemish story set in the 1800's, this movie has warmed the hearts of people around the world for over 130 years!

Customer Reviews:

So sweet yet sad........2007-06-13

I've heard about "The Dog of Flanders" years ago, & now that I have bought & seen it, I am glad I did. I loved every moment! Several scenes I cried, especially when poor Nello would be turned away just because he was poor. ;_; It even caught the attention of my mother, who hates anime. :P It's a very sweet & entertaining version of the classic tale. I know kids & their families would enjoy it very much. So if you're an anime fan looking for a good anime movie, or if you just want a movie to cherish forever, then this movie is the one for you. I guarantee you wiil not be sorry.

One of the Best Moives Ever!.......2005-09-10

THe Dog of Flanders seemed like just another kids movie to me when I first checked it out from our library. Now I am 14 and I still cry buckets full every time I watch this. ANd I NEVER CRY during movies. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves the japenese style of animations. But it is not for very young children (the story deals alot with death and harship). THis is definitely a must see!

The Dog of Flanders - It was okay........2005-06-30

C'mon, they could have made it better. I thought the animation was cute and all, but it just doesn't cut it. It's emotional, but I'd reccomend Disney to kids...more appealing. It's just one of those rare movies that's...I'm at a loss for words. If you're emotional and love "classics", check it out...I guess.

This is not 1975, but 1999 version........2004-03-11

This movie is based on TV animation which was produced in 1975, but completely re-produced. I think this is much better than US version directed by Kevin Brodie, which was mess.

Original was better.......2004-03-10

I remember I saw this when i was kid in Japan. Original one was better. There are so many distractions in this new version. The use of computer graphic at the last seen was just distracting. It's like "we are producing this under small budget, so we could afford only 10 seconds CG". The first and last seen with adult nun is also distracting. There was no point to it. It doesn't give any depth or angle to the story. The was the grandfather died was also very artificial. They could do better...

DVD:

DVD

DVD

DVD

Half Moon Street

Last Days of Frank and Jesse James

Golden Years/The Langoliers [2 Discs] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

DVD: Come September

Tosca