Truly great films with animals as the main characters.

Truly great films with animals as the main characters.

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Discussion

redback911

Original Poster:

2,797 posts

273 months

Tuesday 4th July 2023
quotequote all
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

5,373 posts

235 months

Tuesday 4th July 2023
quotequote all
TV okay?

MYOB

4,999 posts

145 months

Tuesday 4th July 2023
quotequote all
Not sure if it’s “truly great” but it’s a fascinating story based on true events.


C5_Steve

4,833 posts

110 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:

2,797 posts

273 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

4,833 posts

110 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

750 posts

188 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

1,005 posts

203 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

27,528 posts

190 months

Tuesday 4th July 2023
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Red dog.

Lotobear

7,148 posts

135 months

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

Super Sonic

7,286 posts

61 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

59,068 posts

211 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

2,218 posts

204 months

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


JAWS

CardinalBlue

1,048 posts

84 months

Tuesday 4th July 2023
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The greatest film ever made.


Ityre

67 posts

136 months

Tuesday 4th July 2023
quotequote all
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

87,078 posts

272 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

9,526 posts

185 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

9,526 posts

185 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

2,798 posts

209 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

46 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...