Thunder in the Valley (1947)

A story of the Scottish highlands about a crockerty old sheepherder, Adam MacAdam (Edmund Gwenn),who loves his prize collie dog, but little else, not even his son Davis (Lon McAllister). ... See full summary »

Director:

Louis King

Writers:

Jerome Cady (screenplay) (as Jerry Cady), Alfred Ollivant (novel)

Stars:

Lon McCallister, Peggy Ann Garner, Edmund Gwenn

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Lon McCallister	...	David MacAdam
Peggy Ann Garner	...	Maggie Moore
Edmund Gwenn	...	Adam MacAdam
Reginald Owen	...	James Moore
Charles Irwin	...	Long Kirby

Storyline

A story of the Scottish highlands about a crockerty old sheepherder, Adam MacAdam (Edmund Gwenn),who loves his prize collie dog, but little else, not even his son Davis (Lon McAllister). But David, with the help of a neighbor's daughter, Maggie Moore (Peggy Ann Garner), raises his own prize dog and beats out his father in a contest.

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Plot Keywords:

scottish highlands | sheepherder | shetland sheepdog | dog turns sheep killer | death of prize dog | 

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Taglines:

Lifting Your Heart to the Highlands of Adventure... with the enduring charm of young love!

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Connections

Remade as Owd Bob (1998)

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Soundtracks

Marquis of Huntley's Highland Fling and Reel
(uncredited)
Traditional

User Reviews

Can't compare to the novel

This is a passable story of young love in the Highlands, with a little bit about Sheepdogs thrown in for color, I guess. The book from which this movie was taken "Bob, Son of Battle" is quite a different story. Considered a children's book by many (which it is NOT!) the tale is of a legendary working dog that is bigger than life at times, and his rival, the evil Red Wool. One of the two is a sheep killer.

The movie waters down the relationship between father and son, and in true Hollywood fashion of the 40's makes all right in the world at the conclusion.

I should not have expected too much from the movie...I have read about six to eight books a month, over the past 50 years, and of everything I have read, "Bob, Son of Battle" stands out as the BEST book I've ever come across. So disappointed with the movie I was sure to be.

If you can find this one on TV watch it...but READ the book, you will love it!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 November 1947 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bob, Son of Battle

Filming Locations:

20thCFox, Century Ranch, Malibu Canyon, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1