Australian family film loosely based on the real 'Red Dog', a Kelpie/Cattle cross who famously traveled around the small towns of Western Australia, befriending the locals, in search of his long lost master. Stars Josh Lucas (A Beautiful Mind), Noah Taylor (Submarine) and Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider).
The mantra that you shouldn’t work with animals or children holds true in Red Dog, a film with as much iconic outback imagery and substance as a very long beer ad.
Loosely based on a true story, this family film follows the lives of a township of lonely miners in the 1970s and the four-legged friend who brought them joy. It’s a warm fuzzies film that takes many storytelling risks, few of which pay off. Occasionally it captures the spirit of the times and the charm of a good old fashioned yarn but too little rings true to leave a lasting impression.
For starters, there’s the romance between Josh Lucas’ John and Rachael Taylor’s Nancy, who are both so good looking you can’t help but wonder why they didn’t end up in Sydney. An under-utilised Keisha Castle-Hughes also features in a romance that falls more on the comedy side of the coin.
Through the dog, (a cartoonishly expressive performance from the clever Koko) the film manages to capture the arid beauty of the Australian outback, the harsh working conditions of the miners and the tightknit community of Dampier. But things soon descend into silliness, with umpteen montages of tough-living and a plot with as many lurches as a jeep negotiating potholes. Red Dog strives for a similar levity as Aussie working-class classic The Castle but comes off as, well, a bit of a dog.
By Rebecca Barry Hill, Flicks.co.nz
extract from theaterofthecommonman.com I think I have stumbled across one of popular culture's more obscure sub-genres. For years children and adults alike have flocked to see Animal adventure films like 'Homeward Bound', 'The Incredible Journey' & 'Old yeller', but lurking just beneath our noses a bone-a-fied spin-off to this family classic has been immerging, a new breed if you will. Folks, I'm talking about man's best friend, the humble dog, not just any dog, specifically the humble red dog. Popular culture is littered with Red Dog fables; it seems to be the colour of choice when depicting our loveable companions and their dogged determination to overcome adversity against all odds. You may recall, it all began with Norma Bridwell's 'Clifford the Big Red-dog': the little runt that no one expected to grow, yet remarkably with the love of a little girl and pure ambition he fights back against the sizest society he is raised in, finally flourishing into a 25 foot super dog. Next, comes Walt Disney's 'Big Red', the repressed show dog who rebels against the 'man' to chase his dream of spending his days running through the woods chasing his tail and sniffing flowers. Now, as if to finally cement the carmine K9 genre's legitimacy, the trilogy is completed with today's film, appropriately entitled 'Red Dog'.
I worked in Pannawonica in the 1970s . I had a EK Holden too and drove a Halpak for testing. These were Diesel electric trucks. I am a Electrician. Loved the Movie Thanks Murray
Love this movie full of love and life, their were parts of this that made me almost cry, cant wait for it to reach dvd over here, im going to buy it.
My wife and I enjoyed this movie lots. Nothing too complicated and very real. Red Dog was something different from the outbacks of WA I thought it was simply marvellous. Some other movies I nearly fell asleep but Red Dog was interesting most of the way through. A movie well done I say - go and watch it. It keeps your feet on the earth.
way to sad but good movie get ready to cry
This superb all-ages picture gets everything right: from the all-important combo of casting and scripting, right through to its unfailing ability to please a crowd every which way.
A simple, tail-wagging crowd-pleaser from Australia.
This film is a good yarn well told in the manner of a camp-fire tall tale.
An instant Aussie classic.
It's a hilarious and occasionally sad look at a side of Australian life whose essence is rarely captured with such affectionate accuracy.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 1st Dec 2011.
Release date: December 1st 2011.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
