A Dog's Way Home (2019)

A female dog travels four hundred miles in search of her owner throughout a Colorado wilderness.

Director:

Charles Martin Smith

Writers:

W. Bruce Cameron (screenplay by), Cathryn Michon (screenplay by)

Stars:

Ashley Judd, Jonah Hauer-King, Edward James Olmos

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ashley Judd	...	Terri
Jonah Hauer-King	...	Lucas
Edward James Olmos	...	Axel
Alexandra Shipp	...	Olivia
Chris Bauer	...	Kurch
Barry Watson	...	Gavin
Motell Gyn Foster	...	Taylor (as Motell Foster)
Wes Studi	...	Captain Mica
Bryce Dallas Howard	...	Bella (voice)
John Cassini	...	Chuck
Brian Markinson	...	Gunter
Patrick Gallagher	...	Teo
Broadus Mattison	...	Mack
Rolando Boyce	...	Drew
Cesar De León	...	Steve (as Cesar De Leon)

Storyline

As a puppy, Bella finds her way into the arms of Lucas, a young man who gives her a good home. When Bella becomes separated from Lucas, she soon finds herself on an epic 400-mile journey to reunite with her beloved owner. Along the way, the lost but spirited dog meets a series of new friends and manages to bring a little bit of comfort and joy to their lives.

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Plot Keywords:

pet owner | pet dog | colorado | puppy | cat | 

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Taglines:

A lot can happen between lost and found.

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements, some peril and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The filmmakers were intent on choosing a rescue dog to star in the survival tale adaptation of the novel by W. Bruce Cameron, the same author who wrote the book adapted for A Dog's Purpose (2017). The pooch also had to be a pit bull mix, as in the book. The Internet search ended at a Tennessee no-kill shelter, which had rescued Shelby The Dog from a squalid life in a nearby landfill.

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Goofs

About an hour into the film, there is a snow avalanche. Two men rescue Bella and take her to a cabin in the woods. While opening the large sliding glass door, a crew member can be seen in the reflection of the glass.

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Quotes

Bella: I knew now that my journey was much longer than I'd ever imagined.

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Crazy Credits

Despite the opening titles before the prologue and the first half of the closing credits is displayed via fading, the movie's title, shown after the prologue, is zooming slightly forward. The text is upper-cased white.

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Connections

Referenced in AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: Bambi Time in Jail (2018)

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Soundtracks

Don't Worry About Me
Written by Sophie Frances Cooke
Performed by Frances
Courtesy of Capitol Records Ltd.
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Touching family adventure

Bella is born a stray in the narrow space under an abandoned house. When the rest of her family is impounded she is adopted into a human household. But when she grows up her new family sends her far away from home.

I got a lot more out of this movie than I expected. It was just starting to drag after about a quarter hour but then the dog gets separated and the adventure begins. It reminded me a lot of, 'The Incredible Journey (1963).'

Great for young children. There is a little bit of threat.

I particularly liked, 'Big Kitten.'

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site Official Site [Japan]

Country:

China USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 January 2019 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Dog's Way Home

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$18,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,251,263, 13 January 2019

Gross USA:

$42,004,346

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$80,708,134

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bona Film Group, Columbia Pictures, Pariah

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1