Lassie (1994)

When a family of 4 moves from Baltimore to a farm in rural Virginia, they adopt an abandoned collie. The dog becomes the son's companion and protector, helping him adapt to rural life.

Director:

Daniel Petrie

Writers:

Eric Knight (character of Lassie), Matthew Jacobs

Stars:

Helen Slater, Tom Guiry, Jon Tenney

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tom Guiry	...	Matthew Turner (as Thomas Guiry)
Helen Slater	...	Laura Turner
Jon Tenney	...	Steve Turner
Brittany Boyd	...	Jennifer Turner
Frederic Forrest	...	Sam Garland
Richard Farnsworth	...	Len Collins
Michelle Williams	...	April Porter
Joe Inscoe	...	Pete Jarman
Yvonne Erickson	...	Mrs. Jarman (as Yvonne Brisendine)
Clayton Barclay Jones	...	Josh Garland
Charlie Hofheimer	...	Jim Garland
Jody Smith Strickler	...	Mildred Garland
Margaret Peery	...	Mrs. Parker
David Bridgewater	...	Customer
Earnest Poole Jr.	...	Highway Patrolman #1

Storyline

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 everyone, especially Matt, who feels lost and alone in his new surroundings. Fortunately, the Turners are helped by a homeless collie who becomes part of their lives - and Matt does a lot of growing up as a result of the dog's unflinching loyalty.

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Plot Keywords:

one word title | animal character name as title | pet dog | tv | watching tv | 

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Taglines:

Best friends are forever.

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Genres:

Family | Adventure

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some pre-teen mischief, mild language and suspenseful action

Did You Know?

Trivia

Anna Chlumsky turned down a role in this film.

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Goofs

Right after moving to the house in the Shenandoah Valley, the step mom plays a single record on the record player - The Beatles' "In My Life." Although it appeared on "Rubber Soul," it was never released as a 45 rpm.

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Quotes

Matthew Turner: This dog stinks.

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Connections

Referenced in Basil Poledouris: His Life and Music (1997)

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Soundtracks

The Mockingbird Song
(uncredited)
Written by Traditional

User Reviews

New exciting, updated version of Lassie in which helps a good family against mean neighbours

Acceptable film about Lassie in which suffers a car accident and is rescued by Turner family formed by Dad (Jon Tenney) , stepmom (Helen Slater) , little Jennifer (film debut of Michelle Williams and Anna Chlumsky turned down this role) and teenager Matthew (Tom Guiry) . All of them leave the town for the wilds of Virginia . In the country they are helped by a homeless collie named Lassie who becomes part of their lives . As Lassie protects Matthew from a dangerous wolf and saves him from a raging waterfall .

Entertaining and fun dog movie shot in marvelous outdoors with very well trained animals . Exciting life of a Collie named Lassie is here expanded to include the adventures of the humans who surround the dog . It packs a good cast such as Michelle Williams , Tom Guiry , Helen Slater , John Tenney , Richard Fansworth and Frederic Forrest , among others . This is an amusing tale of some children , a family and the most remarkable dog in the world . Set Virginia dealing with the fate of a wonderful Collie dog and the people who own and command them , there are splendidly revealed as Lassie narrates the circle of his life and seen through its own carefree life and unflinching loyalty . Handsome take off of the Eric Knight family novel but sometimes fails to capture qualities that make this book a classic . There were some earlier "Lassies," in literature of the 1800's, as well as in silent films . Eric Knight, a British-born author, wrote a Lassie character in a short story in 1940 , then expanded it to a novel called "Lassie Come Home," which became the first Lassie sound film . This is a new classic for a new generation, a thrilling saga of courage and loyalty . The animals in this film were in no way harmed or mistreated , and all scenes in which they appeared were under strict supervision with utmost concern for their handling . Developed quite energetically , as the story is efficiently told and through its profound and wizened eyes . One thread that connects all the Lassie projects is Lassie herself . Every one of the long string of Lassie productions has featured a collie directly descended from the original canine star, a dog named Pal . The new film was made with a young collie , whose biggest challenges were in scenes caring sheep and swimming across a river on her way home . The impressive scenery , photography and music enhance the story of ¨Lassie¨ and its adventures , sufferings and adversities . The tale is treated in good sense and high sensibility ; environment , animals , landscapes combine to enhance the glories of nature , one of which , after all , is beauty . Glowing and glamorous cinematography by Kenneth MacMillan , though being necessary a right remastering . It was filmed on location in Hinton, Sandstone Falls, New River Gorge National River, West Virginia, and Tazewell County, Virginia . Sensitive as well as emotive musical score by Basil Poledouris . He was an excellent composer and author of masterpieces , he composed : ¨Robocop¨, ¨Conan the Barbarian¨ , and ¨Conan the destroyer¨, ¨Hunt for Red October¨ , ¨Flesh and Blood¨ , ¨Free Willy¨ , ¨Starship troopers¨ , among others . The music all plays with the soul , it is so delicately composed, performed, and chosen for the movie that it is worth seeing just to enjoy the soundtrack . The motion picture was professionally directed by Donald Petrie .

Other films based on this famous novel starred by marvelous collie are the followings : the classic and original Lassie was first performed by a male collie named Pal and played Lassie in all of the early sound films such as ¨Lassie comes home¨ (1943) with Elizabeth Taylor , Roddy McDowall , Donald Crisp , Dame May Witty and Edmund Gwenn ; ¨Sons of Lassie¨ (1945) with Peter Lawford , Donald Crisp , June Lockhart and Nigel Bruce ; ¨Courage of Lassie¨ (1946) with Elizabeth Taylor , Frank Morgan , Tom Drake and Harry Davenport ; ¨Challenge to Lassie¨ with Edmund Gwenn , Donald Crisp , Geraldine Brooks and Reginald Owen . And subsequent follow-up played by Pal's descendants in the TV series and TV appearances and in most Lassie films since ¨Lassie's great adventure¨ (1963) with June Lockhart , Hugh Reilly , Jon Provost , Richard Kiel . And ¨Lassie¨(2005) by Charles Sturridge with John Lynch , Samantha Morton , Peter Dinklage , Peter O'Toole , Kelly Mcdonald , Robert Hardy , Edward Fox and John Standing .

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 July 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Lassie: Best Friends are forever

Filming Locations:

Hinton, West Virginia, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,201,843, 24 July 1994

Gross USA:

$9,979,683

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$9,979,683

Company Credits

Production Co:

Broadway Pictures, Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby SR Dolby Digital (1998 Re-Release) SDDS (1998 Re-Release) DTS (Digital DTS Sound) (1998 Re-Release)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1