Owd Bob (1998)

Nice effects though.

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

Poor David (Dylan Provencher). His parents have died in a car accident in the States. With no other choice, he is sent to live with his only known relative, his grandfather Adam (James Cromwell) on the Isle of Man. Before David lands on the beautiful island in the Irish Sea, his grandfather has to be persuaded by the social services to let the boy stay with him, as Adam is a bitter, crusty recluse. However, things initially go well. Perhaps it is because David volunteers to help with the work almost the minute he arrives. This involves taking care of the farm, especially the herd of sheep. Yet, as David soon discovers, there is a sheepdog as testy as Adam, named Zack, who minds the sheep. One day, David makes the acquaintance of near neighbors, Maggie and her father Michael, but as soon as Adam finds out, he tells David not to see them again. There is, you see, a long-standing grievance between Adam and Michael. In addition, they are rivals in the island's annual sheepdog contest, where Maggie's dog Owd Bob is second only to Zack. David and Maggie continue to see each other on the sly. Soon, a crisis occurs. There are lambs turning up dead on the hills and the suspected killer is Zack, Adam's dog, though he vehemently denies it. Also, sadness arrives at Maggie's house and Zack wants to help but is forbidden. What will happen to all of the folks on this little speck of gorgeous land? This is a fine tale with a breathtaking setting which few will get to visit. The Isle of Man sits in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland and it will put your eye out with its beauty. Meanwhile, this is really a story of two dogs, Bob and Zack, and the quarreling families who own them. There is much screen time devoted to the problems of the humans, too. Cromwell is an exceptional actor and he repeats the farmer's role he had in Babe, only with no seeming warmth in his heart. Provencher, Colm Meany and all of the other cast members are quite fine, too. Be forewarned that tears are likely to gush forth at any viewing. But, for certain, get this film now, before you are OWD! Its wonderful.

The main conflict in the book seems to have been softened for its expected family audience. At the heart of the book is the terrible anger and devastation felt by old Adam McAdam over the death of his wife. Adam takes out his anger on his son, who seeks solace with the neighboring family, the Moores. Without Adam's bitterness, there is no story. I received this book when I was a child and much too young to understand the conflicts in it. Only when I reread it as an adult, did I get the full value of it. It's too bad that a good film, for grownups hasn't ever been made of it. Forget the details of whether or not the dogs' behavior is realistic. Give us a believable character struggling with the pain of a disappointed, cheated life.

Well, I haven't read the book. And my feeling is that the movie never lives up to the book anyway. It can't. It's a movie. But I still enjoyed it very much for what it was. The performances were good all around, and it was poignant. If you're looking for just a good interpersonal relationship type movie that's short and sweet, this is it.

I just watched this movie on HBO and loved the story as well as the scenery. I can not understand how a person like remobec can go into extensive details on how things are wrong with this very nicely made film. You have to take it for what it is worth a very nice remake of an old remake of the original silent film and Novel as well.Do not pay attention to someone who bases his whole post on ripping apart a very nice and heart warming family film