Shiloh (1996)

Marty Preston, a small-town Southern boy, must rescue a young beagle from abusive owner and recluse Judd Travers.

Director:

Dale Rosenbloom

Writers:

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (book), Dale Rosenbloom (screenplay)

Stars:

Blake Heron, Michael Moriarty, Scott Wilson

4 wins.

Cast

Cast overview:
Scott Wilson	...	Judd Travers
Blake Heron	...	Marty Preston
Bonnie Bartlett	...	Mrs. Wallace
Rod Steiger	...	Doc Wallace
J. Madison Wright	...	Sam
Ann Dowd	...	Louise Preston
Michael Moriarty	...	Ray Preston
Shira Roth	...	Dara Lynn
Tori Wright	...	Becky
Montrose Hagins	...	Mrs. McCallister
Rachel Winfree	...	Sue
Amzie Strickland	...	Mrs. Young
Frannie The Dog	...	Shiloh (as Frannie)

Storyline

An abused beagle runs away from his owner Judd Travers. On the road, he meets young Marty Preston and follows him home. The boy immediately forms a bond with the dog and names him Shiloh. His stern father won't let him keep the dog because it belongs to Judd Travers, a local hunter. After Shiloh is mistreated again, he runs away and returns to Marty. Knowing his father will once again make him bring Shiloh back to Judd, he makes a home for the dog in an old shed up the hill from the Prestons' house and hides him from his family. His secret is soon discovered when a stray attacks the dog one night and he must turn to his father for help.

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Plot Keywords:

dog | title spoken by character | character name in title | hunter | dog movie | 

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Taglines:

The story of a boy who risks everything to save his best friend.

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Genres:

Drama | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild violence

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 April 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Csavargó kutya

Filming Locations:

Topanga, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$115,710, 27 April 1997, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,002,175, 13 July 1997

Company Credits

Production Co:

Good Dog Productions LLC,Utopia Pictures,Zeta Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The book on which this movie is based, Shiloh, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, was the 1992 winner of the John Newberry Medal. The Newberry Medal is the highest award given to American-written literature for young adults.

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Goofs

When Marty's mom asks him to change his dirty shirt, he gives his mom the dirty one and takes the clean one twice in successive shots.

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Quotes

Marty Preston: There's gotta be a first time for everything, right?
Mr. Preston: Oh, you're right about that, boy! This is the first time you ever lied to me!

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Crazy Credits

The beautiful Beagle who played 'Shiloh' , was listed in the credits as "Frannie the Dog". Turns out 'Shiloh' was a she. Either way , she did a great "acting" job.

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Volcano/Shiloh/Romy and Michele's High School Reunion/Female Perversions/A Brother's Kiss (1997)

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Soundtracks

Are There Angels?
Written by Dale Narins and Michele Brourman
Performed by Sheena Easton
Produced by Joel Goldsmith and Rick Chadock

User Reviews

A classic. Michael Moriarty and Scott Wilson are superb.

We all have those classic movies about animals that we watched when we were little ones, and hopefully if you've got any senses about you, still revisit as an adult. Well, most people have a few of those... I've got at least like twenty. One couple of movies that are very dear to me are Shiloh, and Shiloh 2: Shiloh Season, two indisputable classics that I was pretty much raised on, and have a burning nostalgia for. Shiloh boils down to one simple, loving archetype: a boy and his dog. Or, rather, a boy who desperately wishes to save a dog from going down the same road of violence and abuse that it's currant owner has. Marty Preston (Blake Heron, and Zachary Browne in the sequel because they just can't stick with one actor) is a young rural lad with a wholesome life and family, wishing for a dog of his own. Local roughneck and hunter Judd Travers (Scott Wilson) owns a whole pack of mutts that he mistreats when drunk, and aims to turn them all into vicious hunting dogs. When one small beagle escapes, it makes its way onto Preston land and suddenly Marty finds he has a new best friend. His stern father Ray (inimitable Michael Moriarty) warns him that the dog is probably Judd's, while his mother (excellent character actress Ann Dowd) urges compassion from her husband. Soon enough Judd comes looking, and conflict arises between the boy and the bitter old hunter. It's a children's story so nothing too messed up ever happens, but there's some touching lessons and surprising gravitas from both Moriarty and Wilson that is nice to see from such a seemingly innocuous, kid oriented franchise. Judd shows beautiful complexity in the sequel, the writing allowing Wilson to illustrate that not all mean people started out that way, and that with a little kindness and a lot of patience, old wounds can be burrowed into and treated. I first became a fan of Scott through the Shiloh films and he will always be Judd Travers to me. Marty finds a friend in Shiloh, getting right to the point of what these movies are about: friendship. New friends, old friends, and letting people in who need someone and don't even know it. It's great stuff, timeless to be sure, and always guaranteed to draw forth a smile. Rod Steiger lends his famous kind streak to the role of Doc Wallace, a convenience store owner with sagely wisdom for Marty and his fellow friends, as well as compassion for Judd. Now, there's a third film, also with Wilson but yet another different actor for Marty, and Moriarty sitting it out as well, which is why I haven't checked it out so far. Maybe it's time.