6.4/10
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10 user 4 critic

Challenge to Lassie (1949)

G | | Drama, Family | 31 October 1949 (USA)
Challenge to Lassie Poster
When Lassie's master dies, an old friend tries to convince a judge that the dog's life should be spared.

Director:

Richard Thorpe

Writers:

William Ludwig (screenplay), Eleanor Atkinson (based on the novel About A Skye Terrier, "Greyfriars Bobby")

Stars:

Edmund Gwenn, Donald Crisp, Geraldine Brooks | See full cast & crew »
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Photos

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Lassie Come Home (1943)
Certificate: Passed Adventure | Family
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The ongoing saga of the Martin family and their beloved collie, Lassie.

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While in Canada Timmy and Lassie encounter a downed hot air ballonist. By accident they end up in the balloon which takes them into the wilderness. The young boy and his dog must find a way to survive even fending off a wild pig.

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Set in the rural south of the United States, a bereaved war widow learns to to put aside her bitterness and grief as she grows to love a young orphan boy and the dog that belonged to her ... See full summary »

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Lassie (2005)
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A family in financial crisis is forced to sell Lassie, their beloved dog. Hundreds of miles away from her true family, Lassie escapes and sets out on a journey home.

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Lassie is trying to find her way home. She will have to run all the way from Colorado to California. Her loving owner is looking for her too.

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Determined to start a new life in the country, the Turner Family - Dad, stepmom, little Jennifer and teenager Matt - leaves the city for the wilds of Virginia. The move creates problems for... See full summary »

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Greyfriars Bobby: The True Story of a Dog (1961)
Drama | Family
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Scotland, 1865. An old shepherd and his little Skye Terrier Bobby go to Edinburgh. But when the shepherd dies of pneumonia, the dog remains faithful to his master, refuses to be adopted by ... See full summary »

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Stars: Donald Crisp, Laurence Naismith, Alex Mackenzie
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Cast

Complete credited cast:
Edmund Gwenn ... John Traill
Donald Crisp ... 'Jock' Gray
Geraldine Brooks ... Susan Brown
Reginald Owen ... Sergeant Davie
Alan Webb Alan Webb ... James Brown
Ross Ford ... William Traill
Henry Stephenson ... Sir Charles Loring
Alan Napier ... Lord Provost
Sara Allgood ... Mrs. MacFarland
Edmund Breon ... Magistrate
Arthur Shields ... Dr. Lee
Lumsden Hare ... MacFarland
Charles Irwin Charles Irwin ... Sergeant Major
Pal Pal ... Lassie (as Lassie)
See full cast »
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Storyline

In Edinburgh in 1860, sheep herder Jock Gray finds a Collie puppy on the loose. When she is unclaimed, he takes her as his own and calls her Lassie. They are soon inseparable but when Jock dies and is buried in an unmarked grave, Lassie takes to sleeping in the churchyard to be near him. Jock's good friend John Traill is prepared to find a good home for Lassie but no matter how hard he tries, she always manages to get away and despite any obstacles put in her way, manages to get back to Jock's grave. It all comes to a head when a local magistrate orders her destroyed for not having a license leading Traill to take his case to a higher court. Written by garykmcd

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

lassie | dog | animal name in title | dog actor | animal | See All (7) »

Genres:

Drama | Family

Certificate:

G | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 October 1949 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Desafio de Lassie See more »

Filming Locations:

Hollywood, California, USA See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

This story is based loosely on that of "Greyfriars Bobby", which has appeared in several film versions. See more »

Goofs

When Lassie is crawling out of the river, the POV is from the river and the river is running from left to right. When she comes over the bank, the POV is toward the river, the water is running from left to right. See more »

Connections

Version of Meiken rasshî (1996) See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is "Challenge to Lassie" based on a book?
Q: Is this movie based on a true story?
Q: How does the movie end?
See more »

User Reviews

 
So easy to love...
8 June 2011 | by TheLittleSongbird – See all my reviews

I am personally quite surprised at the film's low rating here. I love this film, I find it so easy to love and so endearing, affectionate and touching. The film looks gorgeous, with lush scenery and cinematography, and the music is soothing and fits splendidly. The dialogue amused and moved me, the story was always engaging and poignant and the film pace-wise was never dull, at least not for me. It is beautifully directed as well, and while actors such as Edmund Gwenn and Donald Crisp give very likable performances and fit their characters very well, Lassie steals the show. She is absolutely adorable, and I can't count the number of times I empathised with her here.

All in all, a lovely film. 10/10 Bethany Cox
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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