Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Courtland Mead | ... | Young Johnny McGowan | |
Janet Henfrey | ... | Miss Twittingham | |
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Stuart Campbell | ... | Porter |
Andrew Keir | ... | Angus McGowan | |
Lila Kaye | ... | Mrs. Cosgrove | |
Alastair Mackenzie | ... | John McGowan (as Sam Mackenzie) | |
Brittney Powell | ... | Beth Armstrong | |
John Calvin | ... | Bob Armstrong | |
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Jim Dunk | ... | Brownie McGee |
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Sue Douglas | ... | Receptionist |
John Woodvine | ... | Lester MacIntyre | |
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Marioara Stelian | ... | Reporter |
Valentin Popescu | ... | Guard #1 | |
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Cameron Stuart | ... | Animal Handler |
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Claudiu Istodor | ... | Guard #2 |
Young John McGowan travels to Scotland to live at his grandfather's castle after he loses his parents in a traffic accident. At the wishing tree he conjures up a dragon friend, Yowler. They grow up together, and one day documentary film maker Bob Armstrong and his daughter Beth stumble upon Yowler. Hungry for fame (and money), Bob convinces John to "rent" Yowler to local unscrupulous businessman Lester McIntyre. John is convinced in part by the offer to have the outstanding taxes on the castle paid off, partly because of his growing interest in Beth. Yowler is miserable in the new theme park built for him, and when it becomes clear that McIntyre has tricked them in order to exploit the dragon, John and his new friends take action. Written by Ed Sutton <esutton@mindspring.com>
If you're big on deep plotlines and hate predictability, I cannot recommend this movie. This is basically a children's film where good triumphs over evil and everyone ends up happily. The effects aren't nearly what today's modern kid is used to (no Jurassic Park/Star Wars I caliber computer animation here), but it is a gentle and sweet story that sucked *me* in, and I'm 20. It's a good movie for children to see--no violence, no language--and it introduces them to the beauty and a wee bit of the mythology of Scotland in a way that they will probably find entertaining. Parents might find the movie a bit tedious, but at least it doesn't pander to that obvious kind of low humor where people are repeatedly getting hit with various objects. Stick around for the lovely scenery and Sam MacKenzie's beautiful Scots brogue (why my roommate and I remained glued to the screen). In an era when heros are all-too-often covered in blood and even the cartoons are cursing like sailors, it's a nice little film that, while predictable, you can at least trust not to pollute any minds.