Where the Red Fern Grows (2003)

Where the Red Fern Grows is the heartwarming and adventurous tale for all ages about a young boy and his quest for his own red-bone hound hunting dogs.

Directors:

Lyman Dayton, Sam Pillsbury

Writers:

Wilson Rawls (novel), Douglas C. Stewart (screenplay),

Stars:

Joseph Ashton, Dave Matthews, Renee Faia

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joseph Ashton	...	Billy Coleman
Dave Matthews	...	Will Coleman
Renee Faia	...	Jenny Coleman
Mac Davis	...	Hod Bellington
Kris Kristofferson	...	Older Billy Coleman
Ned Beatty	...	Sheriff Abe McConnell
Dabney Coleman	...	Grandpa
Gary Anson	...	Bully Wendell
Orvel Baldridge	...	Mr. Pritchard
Robert Bauman	...	Hunter #2
Andrew Dickison	...	Rainie Pritchard
Stuart Dickison	...	Rubin Pritchard
Julia Downs	...	Sarah Coleman
Tess Downs	...	Alice Coleman
Kevin Gourd	...	Bully Garth

Storyline

Where the Red Fern Grows is the heartwarming and adventurous tale for all ages about a young boy and his quest for his own red-bone hound hunting dogs. Set in the Ozark Mountains during the Great Depression, Billy Coleman works hard and saves his earnings for 2 years to achieve his dream of buying two coonhound pups. He develops a new trust in God as he faces overwhelming challenges in adventure and tragedy roaming the river bottoms of Cherokee country with "Old Dan" and "Little Ann." The movie follows the inseparable trio as they romp relentlessly through the Ozarks, trying to tree the elusive "Ghost" raccoon. Their efforts prove victorious as they win the coveted gold cup in the annual coon-hunt contest, capture wily ghost coons and bravely fight a mountain lion. Through these adventures Billy realizes the meaning of true friendship, loyalty, integrity and heroics, in this timeless and poignant coming of age story.

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Plot Keywords:

fern | dog | hunting | coming of age | ozark mountains | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 May 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kutyabajok

Filming Locations:

Cookson Hills, Oklahoma, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Crusader Entertainment, Elixir Films, Bob Yari Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Billy is given the trophy for catching the most raccoons, the camera pans the crowd and a little girl is shown (briefly) smiling, wearing braces on her teeth. Braces weren't invented yet during the period in which the movie takes place.

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Connections

Remake of Where the Red Fern Grows (1974)

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Soundtracks

"Traveler"
Written by Elaine Rubenstein and John Andrew Schreiner
Performed by Fernando Ortega
© 2002 Big Moose Music (BMI)/John Andrew Schreiner Music (ASCAP)
Produced by John Andrew Schreiner

User Reviews

If it ain't broke...

The problem with this movie is the pacing. I was, perhaps foolishly, anticipating something grand when I rented the DVD, since I love the book and quite liked the original 1974 film. I had been told that the 2003 remake was accurate to Wilson Rawls' novel. Strictly speaking, this is true, but therein lies it's downfall.

Movies adapted from books often have to have sections removed or characters cut because, unlike films, no book is designed to be enjoyed in a single sitting. In this movie the acting is beyond hurried as people race through their lines, desperate to include every utterance of the novel in less than two hours. The results are dismal. The only time I've seen worse butchery of a good novel was the atrocious movie version of "The Hotel New Hampshire" by John Irving.

If you love the book, read the book; or maybe get nostalgic and rent the original. Don't rent this version unless you just need something, anything, to sit some kids in front of for an afternoon while you balance your checkbook.