Old Yeller [1957]

Customer Reviews:

Surprisingly good 50 year old kiddies film.......2006-10-09

Old Yeller is a stray yellow dog adopted by two young brothers who feel a bit lonely as dad's away working. This film follows their adventures together in the countryside around their farm. When this was filmed in 1957 dogs really did fight (trained) bears under the camera's eye, and the two young boys (and dog) are excellent totally convincing leads. It's a bit like the same era classic 'The incredible journey' in terms of story, action, & colour, but for some odd reason this isn't as well known, despite being at least as good, if not even better.

My 9 year old son really wanted this after watching the 'Old Yeller' song on a Disney sing-along video, and he loved the film (and the song). My daughter (10) also sat glued to it. The story is simple, moral and heartfelt, and is set in a 1860s rural Texas. The film is never overly sentimental or mawkish (unlike Greyfriars Bobby), although it oozes sincerity (probably reflecting the original book). It's not a film the kids watch a lot now they are older, but it's certainly one they remember.

So highly recommended for pre-teen kids (but possibly not for under fives). Personally I actually loved 'old yeller' - perhaps because the autobiographical homesteader book 'Three against the wilderness' (1930s) was a childhood favourite of mine

By the way I wouldn't read too many reviews if you haven't seen the film, as they rather give away the plot and knowing what happens really reduces enjoyment the film in my view. I have the Amazon resellers two NTSC disc set of this film which also has an interview with the older `brother' Travis (Tommy Kirk) which was actually very interesting, with him as he is now talking about working as a child for Disney in it's golden era. This region 2 offering is probably the single DVD with just the film. Old Yeller is also ideal to rent from Amazon now that it is available in PAL format.

Average customer rating:

Old Yeller [1957] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Starring: Dorothy McGuire , Fess Parker , Jeff York , Chuck Connors , and Beverly Washburn
Director: Robert Stevenson , and Jack Kinney
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Historical | Drama | Categories | DVD | Video

Children's | Classics | Categories | DVD | Video

Drama | Classics | Categories | DVD | Video

All Children's DVD | Children's DVD | Categories | DVD | Video

DVD | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00005RRG4
Release Date: 2002-05-07

DVD:

DVD List

DVD