Truly great films with animals as the main characters.
Truly great films with animals as the main characters.
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redback911

Original Poster:

2,886 posts

283 months

Tuesday 4th July 2023
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This might be a topic for " TV, Film, Video Streaming & Radio" section, but I thought I'd post it here to start with.

Any recommendations for films where (an) animal(s) are the protagonists? I was not thinking about The Lion King or Babe; maybe movies that have a deeper message or adult impact - happy and/or sad, and I believe other emotions exist.

I'll start with an animated film I recently watched, as a late 40s-something I thought I was impervious to feeling distress or anger while watching a movie. Jeez, I was wrong. I'm just glad I never watched this as kid.

Plague Dogs



It's based on the book above. The movie tells the story of two dogs, Snitter and Rowf, who escape from a scientific research facility in The Lake District. The dogs, who have been subjected to cruel experiments, embark on a dangerous journey across the countryside in search of freedom.

Wow, its dark and holds no punches. It's a film I never want to watch again, but I purchased a digital copy, so I almost certainly will. Anyone else watched it?

dundarach

5,757 posts

245 months

Tuesday 4th July 2023
quotequote all
TV okay?

C5_Steve

6,304 posts

120 months

Tuesday 4th July 2023
quotequote all
dundarach said:
TV okay?
This. So much more than it first appears to be, a truly great TV show.

redback911

Original Poster:

2,886 posts

283 months

Tuesday 4th July 2023
quotequote all
dundarach said:
TV okay?
TV works! I've seen Bojack pop up on my Netflix Recommends list.

MYOB said:
Not sure if it’s “truly great” but it’s a fascinating story based on true events.

Aha, I've seen the statue of the dog at Shibuya Station in Tokyo, a few times. On the list, thanks!

C5_Steve

6,304 posts

120 months

Tuesday 4th July 2023
quotequote all
A few that spring to mind, mainly animated:

All Dogs Go to Heaven
The Land Before Time
Homeward Bound
Animal Farm (I've not seen it but read the book, apparently the animated version is good but I'd still say read the book first)
White Dog

ndtman

752 posts

198 months

Tuesday 4th July 2023
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Might not be quite what the OP is after but a quirky film with a dog twist.

undred orse

1,019 posts

213 months

Tuesday 4th July 2023
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"The Art of Racing in the Rain" - Film and book told through the eyes of Enzo the dog.

(My dog is also Enzo).

PositronicRay

28,169 posts

200 months

Tuesday 4th July 2023
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Red dog.

Lotobear

8,114 posts

145 months

Tuesday 4th July 2023
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A ring of bright water - an utterly charming film

Super Sonic

10,308 posts

71 months

Tuesday 4th July 2023
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Do stuffed animals count? If so, then 'Ted'
If not, then 'Call of the Wild'

otolith

62,549 posts

221 months

Tuesday 4th July 2023
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I loved Watership Down, the book and then the film, but Plague Dogs I couldn't get into. Maybe because I was a lot older when I read it.

rallye101

2,453 posts

214 months

Tuesday 4th July 2023
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Huh!!!!????


JAWS

CardinalBlue

1,214 posts

94 months

Tuesday 4th July 2023
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The greatest film ever made.


Ityre

72 posts

146 months

Tuesday 4th July 2023
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Lotobear said:
A ring of bright water - an utterly charming film
I was just about to mention this film, truly magical, poor midge frown

Simpo Two

89,594 posts

282 months

Tuesday 4th July 2023
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I think there's enough sentiment and grief going around without including animals, so my vote is:


UTH

10,899 posts

195 months

Tuesday 4th July 2023
quotequote all
Does this count? Remember it being really good when I was younger

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Edge_(1997_fil...

UTH

10,899 posts

195 months

Tuesday 4th July 2023
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Vaguely remember this from my youth as well

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bear_(1988_fil...

Heathwood

2,870 posts

219 months

Tuesday 4th July 2023
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When I was younger I loved a book called Fluke, which was made into a film. In truth the film wasn’t great, but I still have fond memories of it nonetheless.

Kes Arevo

3,555 posts

56 months

Tuesday 4th July 2023
quotequote all
redback911 said:
This might be a topic for " TV, Film, Video Streaming & Radio" section, but I thought I'd post it here to start with.

Any recommendations for films where (an) animal(s) are the protagonists? I was not thinking about The Lion King or Babe; maybe movies that have a deeper message or adult impact - happy and/or sad, and I believe other emotions exist.

I'll start with an animated film I recently watched, as a late 40s-something I thought I was impervious to feeling distress or anger while watching a movie. Jeez, I was wrong. I'm just glad I never watched this as kid.

Plague Dogs



It's based on the book above. The movie tells the story of two dogs, Snitter and Rowf, who escape from a scientific research facility in The Lake District. The dogs, who have been subjected to cruel experiments, embark on a dangerous journey across the countryside in search of freedom.

Wow, its dark and holds no punches. It's a film I never want to watch again, but I purchased a digital copy, so I almost certainly will. Anyone else watched it?
Oh god, that film.

Watch Watership Down, then The Plague Dogs, and oh dear...

Tango13

9,623 posts

193 months

Wednesday 5th July 2023
quotequote all
Any Which Way you Can and Any Which Way but Loose