靈犬萊西

In watching this excellent movie the other day, I experienced a very strong emotional reaction to this wonderful tale of a dog’s devotion and love for his young master. Tears came to my eyes as Lassie, who struggles to return to Yorkshire from Scotland – an hard journey of hundreds of miles across difficult and dangerous region. Young Joe sees Lassie sold to a local, dog-breeding aristocrat due to the tough times experienced by his family as the story is set in 1937, just prior to World War II and during the extreme, economic difficulties of the Great Depression.

Lassie begins her impossible journey from Scotland to Yorkshire.

Sam Carraclough is forced to let Lassie – a magnificent dog – be sold so that he, as an unemployed man, can feed his family.

It’s a simple story, based upon a popular novel by Yorshireman Eric Knight who, incidentally, was killed in action during WWII – the film is dedicated to his memory. It is also filmed simply in what was still a relatively new Technicolor so that its “look” is gorgeous.

But the tale is dominated by the great dog Lassie who “tugs at our heartstrings” as he pursues his valiant journey to reunite with young Joe Carraclough.

When my tears flowed (again, as I assume that I also cried as a seven year old), I first thought that it was just a nostalgic reaction but after reading Bosley Crowther’s review I realized that “Lassie Come Home” speaks to adults as well – then, as now.

There is something of a mystical relationship between dogs and humans that is endearing and powerful. I know that my relationship with my dog Jake is profound in ways that I can neither speak to or even understand!

Reunited with young Joe.

As a parent who loved to introduce my then-small children to the excitement and mysteries of movies that had thrilled me, I can, unreservedly, recommend “Lassie Come Home” for any family. The fact that this movie is almost 70 years old has no impact on its enjoyment.