Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009)

A college professor bonds with an abandoned dog he takes into his home.

Director:

Lasse Hallström

Writers:

Stephen P. Lindsey (screenplay), Kaneto Shindô (motion picture "Hachiko monogatari")

Stars:

Richard Gere, Joan Allen, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa

Top Rated Movies #208 | 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Gere	...	Parker Wilson
Joan Allen	...	Cate Wilson
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa	...	Ken
Sarah Roemer	...	Andy
Jason Alexander	...	Carl
Erick Avari	...	Jasjeet
Davenia McFadden	...	Mary Anne
Robbie Sublett	...	Michael (as Robbie Collier Sublett)
Kevin DeCoste	...	Ronnie - 11 years
Rob Degnan	...	Teddy Barnes (as Robert Degnan)
Tora Hallström	...	Heather
Donna Sorbello	...	Myra
Frank S. Aronson	...	Milton - The Butcher (as Frank Aronson)
Troy Doherty	...	Sal
Ian Sherman	...	Student Pianist

Storyline

Commuting by train, music professor Parker Wilson finds an Akita puppy, whose cage broke unnoticed during shipping, leaving his destination unknown, and since the station can't care for it and the dog catcher warns even such cute ones may not be adopted in the two weeks allowed, he kindly takes it home. His bossy, jealous wife Cate initially makes Parker swear it won't stay, but by the time its' clear nobody will claim him and an adoption candidate is found, she agrees to keep the dog, who won over their daughter Andy and her fiance Michael at first sight. Parker's Japanese college friend Ken inspires naming the pup Hachi(ko), and is pleasantly surprised when Parker successfully tackles the challenge to get it to fetch, which Akitas don't usually do. Hachi makes a habit of waiting for his equally doting master at the station every evening, but after a cardiac crisis, Parker dies. Hachi refuses to accept this, being moved to Michael's home as Cate moves out, waiting for a master who ...

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Plot Keywords:

dog | japanese | loyalty | waiting | human animal relationship | 

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Taglines:

A true story of faith, devotion and undying love.

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Genres:

Drama | Family

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Certificate:

G

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Germany]

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English Japanese

Release Date:

12 March 2010 (UK)

Also Known As:

Hachi: A Dog's Tale

Filming Locations:

1 Depot Square, Woonsocket, Rhode Island, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$16,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£442,753 (United Kingdom), 14 March 2010, Limited Release

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$47,707,417

Company Credits

Production Co:

Stage 6 Films, Inferno Distribution, Hachiko

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The address label on the dog's cage says that the recipient actually was Stephen Towers, 154 St., Bedridge.

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Goofs

When Cate awakens Parker, who has fallen asleep watching Game 6 of the 1996 World Series with Hachi, the footage shown on the television is of then-Yankee catcher Joe Girardi running out his run-scoring triple in that game. Presumably it's late, and Parker and Hachi had been watching the game quite a while for Parker to have fallen asleep, but Girardi's triple came in the 3rd inning. It's also questionable whether Parker, who's depicted as an avid Yankee fan, would fall asleep during a World Series-clinching game.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Heather: So even if Columbus got lost and wasn't the first to discover America, he's still my hero. He was really brave to sail in such a tiny ship over a really big ocean. And because of him, we get Columbus Day off of school.
Teacher: Thank you Heather. Uh, Ronnie? Tell us about your hero.
Ronnie - 11 years: [writes HACHIKO on the blackboard] Hachiko was my grandfather Wilson's dog. Everyone called Hachi a mystery dog because they never really knew where he came from. Maybe Hachi escaped from a dog pound. Or maybe he...

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Crazy Credits

Message near the end of the credits: "Although beloved by many as a family pet, Akitas are recommended only for dedicated and experienced dog owners. To learn more, please visit the American Humane Association at www.americanhumane.org and the American Kennel Club at www.akc.org"

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Connections

Referenced in Elvis Mitchell: Under the Influence: Richard Gere (2008)

User Reviews

If You've Ever Owned a Dog, Don't Miss This Film About Loyalty Love and Devotion.

Finally a film without explosions, computer graphics, and violence. A family film with a message. Adults will relate to the story of life-long friendship and loyalty. Children will love the "dog story" A tender story will huge box office potential. The possible "sleeper hit" of the holidays. Pet lovers everywhere will relate to this film and will leave theaters in tears. A weepy, wonderful film about the bond that develops between one man and a dog after a chance meeting at a train station. Bring extra tissues! Based on a true story, this film was shot mostly in Woonsocket, Rhode Island at a historic old train station. Beautifully shot and edited. The film runs less than 2-hours. The film generally adheres to the actual true story of a dog in Japan. The dog became a national treasure and a monument was erected to honor him.