Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6439 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-04-10
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 100 minutes

DVD Description
LASSIE is the timeless story of the remarkable bond between a young boy and his dog set in a Yorkshire mining town. After failing on hard times, the Carraclough family is forced to sell Lassie, their beloved dog, to the Duke of Rudling. When Lassie finds herself transported five hundred miles away to live in the Duke’s remote castle on the northern coast of Scotland, she is determined to defy the odds and return to her home. So begins an incredible adventure, set against a stunning series of British landscapes, which sees Lassie facing dangers natural and human and finding help in unexpected places as she makes her way across the country, to reach home in time for Christmas.

Synopsis
A family is forced to sell their pet dog, which later escapes from its new owner. Relocated to Scotland, the dog sets off on a perilous five hundred mile journey back to the family it knows and loves.

Customer Reviews

"You have to remember him in your heart!"
This absolutely gorgeous re-imagining of Lassie brings the story back to its roots, reclaiming Eric Knight's 1940 novel about the famously determined collie's obstacle-ridden trek from Scotland and Yorkshire to rejoin the bereft young master, whose down-on-their-luck parents were forced to sell his best friend to the rich to pay for food.

Visually sweeping, beautifully paced with some of the most understated acting I've seen, Lassie would have to be one of the most emotionally heartbreaking films to come out in recent years not just in its portrayal of this willful and loyal canine who is determined to come home, but in its comments about class and kindness and the uncertain dread that hangs over England on the eve of World War 2.

When the local coal mine closes, Yorkshire coal miner Sam Carraclough (John Lynch) and his stoic and kindly wife Sarah (Samantha Morton) have no option but to sell their son Joe's (Jonathan Mason) beloved dog Lassie to the dotty Duke of Rudling (Peter O'Toole). Spied on a foxhunt, the Duke decides this spirited girl will make a fine pet for his granddaughter Cilla (Hester Odgers) while also hoping to use her to breed some offspring.

Lassie however, has other ideas and keeps escaping from his new kennel and returning home to his beloved master Joe. Fed up, the Duke takes him all the way to Scotland where she has to endure the supervision of His Lordship's repellent kennel supervisor (Steve Pemberton).

But Cilla helps spring Lassie loose, which begins a long, perilous journey back to Yorkshire where she has lots of adventures in town and country - some good and some bad - and where she hooks up with a kindly traveling player (Peter Dinklage, doing great work here) and his lovable dog.

From the outset the film makes the most of the gorgeous English vistas from Scotland, through the Midlands to Yorkshire as Lassie makes his perilous journey back home. Director Charles Sturrage really brings out the stories themes of loyalty and love and courage whilst also never shying away from the fact that while Lassie endures much, these are also hard times for England.

The acting is superlative, with O'Tool, Dinklage, and Lynch and of course the lovely Samantha Morton being standouts - their characters aware that sacrifices must be made, yet they also come to realize the healing power of love. Modest, unpretentious and magnificently told, this version of Lassie will ensure that there is nary a dry eye to be had. Mike Leonard December 06.

Grab your tissues
Any pet lover will shed a tear at this new version of the old classic Lassie. Lassie has changed not one iota if only we all aged so gracefully. The story revolves around a young boy who loves his dog - Lassie but times get hard when his father is laid off from the mines and Lassie is subsequently sold.

The dog is shipped of to Scotland but will he's homing instinct allow him to make it back to his original home further south? Or will Lassie die along the way?

My wife loves a weepy and was crying near enough all the way through the film, where as I being so much tougher (yeah right) only shed one tear!

If you liked the old Lassie stories or if you like a weepy then this film is for you...Not my type of film as a rule but I made an exception and enjoyed it.

Great Family Film....
This film has a great storyline for all the family .Everyone Remembers Lassie! This film shows that the art of famliy movies has not died! Great movie for all.....