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The Adventures Of Greyfriars Bobby (2005)
Director: John Henderson
Movie review
From Time Out London
Are we perhaps heading for a spate of live-action animal flicks? Following hot on the heels of ‘Lassie’ comes this similarly-styled British tale of canine loyalty about a fluffy mutt that allegedly stayed beside his Scottish master’s graveside for 14 years. Call me pernickety, but according to the history books – and a statue in the grounds of Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh – the original eponymous mutt was a Skye terrier, a scruffy, dark-haired pooch with a cute, mischievous face. In this film, though, he’s represented as a frankly character-less white West Highland terrier – ‘for practical considerations’. But enough canine discrimination already.It’s 1858, and Bobby and his master, PC John Gray (Thomas Lockyer), live and work in Edinburgh’s deprived Old Town, keeping crime at bay and performing a sterling service at calming runaway bulls on market day. Soon after the opening credits, Gray succumbs to TB and is buried in the grounds of Greyfriars Church, whereupon the dog begins his interminable ritual. Of course, the locals are besotted with the little fella and none more so than good-natured Tam-O'-Shanter-clad youngster Ewan (Oliver Golding), who comes to the pooch’s rescue when the local charity commissioner orders in the dog catchers.
In order to keep the kids focused,director John Henderson pads out this amiable little film with a cross-country adventure, a collapsing house, a scary cellar and an ‘Oliver’-style workhouse. It’s hardly riveting stuff, but it’s authentically mounted and imaginatively cast. Just a shame it’s not very emotionally satisfying. Still, the Scottish Tourist Board will doubtless be clicking its heels at the prospect of a whole new tranche of visitors.
Author: DA
Time Out London Issue 1851: February 8-15 2006
User reviews of this film
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- ps23r said...
- Posted on Apr 15 2008 09:25 I bought this movie on the bases it was a family film. Only watched first scenes and turned it off because of the violence. Very disappointed!
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- mike, julie and max (a westie) said...
- Posted on Dec 17 2007 22:29 Never trust a critic's review! We have just finished viewing this wonderful movie. It is excellent family entertainment! We will recommend this to our twenty-something children and also the rest of our family and friends.
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- Gina66 said...
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Posted on Dec 09 2007 19:17
I just watched this movie. I loved it. If you plan to watch this with your kids be sure your family dog is close at hand. You will need to hug him/her....oh and the kids for that matter. It was great entertainment. In my opinion the Westie pulled it off, regardless of what the "Time Out London" review says.
Euwen (sp) was EXCELLENT. Nice job. Pure entertainment. - Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: John Henderson
Producer: Christopher Figg
Cast: James Cosmo, Oliver Golding, Christopher Lee, Gina McKee, Greg Wise, Sean Pertwee, Ardal O'Hanlon full cast
Genre(s): Action/Adventure, Children's
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