Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Peter O'Toole | ... | The Duke | |
Samantha Morton | ... | Sarah Carraclough | |
John Lynch | ... | Sam Carraclough | |
Peter Dinklage | ... | Rowlie | |
Gerry O'Brien | ... | Watson | |
Steve Pemberton | ... | Hynes | |
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Eamonn Hunt | ... | Alf Patterson |
Edward Fox | ... | Hulton | |
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Jim Roche | ... | Miner |
John Standing | ... | French | |
Gregor Fisher | ... | Mapes | |
Jonathan Mason | ... | Joe Carraclough | |
Brian Pettifer | ... | O'Donnell | |
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Paul Meade | ... | Policeman |
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Jamie Lee | ... | Tom |
Life is hard for Yorkshire miner's son Joe Carraclough (Jonathan Mason), who is beaten at school by a his teacher, his only consolation is his collie Lassie. It gets worse: when the mine is decommissioned, his father, Sam (John Lynch), is forced to sell the dog to The Duke (Peter O'Toole), who owns the local estate. The Duke's servant, Hynes (Steve Pemberton), scares the dog, who keeps running back, so the Carracloughs have to keep returning her, until the Duke moves to the Scottish Highlands for the holiday season. Lassie escapes, embarking on a desperate journey home, with daunting Glasgow dogcatchers and taken in by a circus performer. It looks like a miracle is needed, by Christmas. Written by KGF Vissers
It is so refreshing to watch a family film that doesn't have to rely only on special effects to tell the story. This film is just how they used to make films with great acting, beautiful photography and of course a lovely story. It's full of emotion and soul and it's just a good all round film the whole family will enjoy. It's about a boy and his parents who fall on hard times and have to sell their beloved dog, which gets taken hundreds of miles away. But his love for his dog never falters and the dogs love for its owners makes it determined to escape and travel the vast distance to get home. We have watched a few blockbusters lately but this film deserves praise. It might have a lower budget, but it has something that we all deep down want out of a film.