User reviews

I read once where it took the filmmakers four years to make this movie. I don't doubt it. It must have taken great patience to wait and train these animals to do some of these amazing scenes. Where have you ever seen a cat nursing on a pig or a dog hitching a ride on top of a sea turtle, etc.?

There are some incredible scenes involving a number of animals. The scenery here is pretty, too. All of the above means that adults should enjoy this as much as the kids. There is nothing offensive in this nothing....nothing.

Dudley Moore's storytelling narration is a bit annoying in the beginning but settles down and is just fine, even humorous in spots. Overall, he did a credible job. The movie is short but actually could have been better had it been trimmed another 10 minutes to about 80. If you love animals, you really have to check this film out. Even if don't, the footage is so unique it's worth a look.

Milo is a cat and Otis is a dog. They are best of friends. They have grown up on the same farm and during a little game of hide and seek Milo hides in a box, but soon it is whisked down the river. Otis in turn follows the box to try and save his buddy. On their adventure they meet other animals, birds and reptiles. Some are certainly more friendly than others.

The film took four years to film which is crazy, but when you see some of the things that director Masanori Hata has captured on film you might guess why. It is very well filmed, but there were claims of animal cruelty during the filming. I am from Ontario, Canada and the version I have seen is 75 minutes. Was a monster hit in Japan when it was released there. Columbia Pictures edited out at least 15 minutes of the film when it was released in english. Most of the scenes of animals being placed in dangerous situations have been removed (if that is what they edited out of the film) other than a few scenes. One that stands out to me is a scene where a cat falls off a cliff. In the end though, in the version I saw I thought it was a great movie and I think I was smiling through out the entire movie.

When the english version was released they needed to find a narrator for the film and I think they made the perfect choice in Dudley Moore. I think he does an awesome job and shows his ability to spin a story while using humour. As long as you can stand someone narrating essentially the entire movie. I can handle Moore doing that for me. The kids and those young at heart should enjoy this classic.

Long after I enjoyed "The Adventures Of Milo & Otis" as a child, I was surprised to learn that this cat-and-dog comedy-adventure film is actually Japanese. Directed by zoologist Masanori Hata, the picture originally came out in Japan in 1986. Not until 1989 did Columbia Pictures adjust it for an English re-release, featuring a new script from "Sesame Street" veteran Mark Saltzman and a familiar narration from Dudley Moore.

"Milo & Otis'" Japanese origins surprised me so because the movie feels very Western. The episodic journey of "a curious cat and a pug-nosed pup" who flea from their farm to face the woes of winters and bears whilst mingling with foxes, deer, turtles, owls, and pigs, "Milo & Otis" could be a Disney movie, or something based off of a European children's book. Even the look of it - from its deciduous scenery to its multi-species cast - gives the impression that we are in pastoral areas of Britain or the Eastern United States rather than Asia... That is, based off of my American-bred schemas of how these places should appear.

Visually, the movie is humble. There are a couple game-winning wide shots, but most of the aesthetic appeal comes from close-ups of animals interacting with each other. Not a single human appears in the entire film, and Moore provides voices for all anthropomorphic characters. Because of this, we feel truly immersed in Milo and Otis' world, where small creatures' perspectives render the ordinary dangerous and wonderful.

That being said, something uncanny simultaneously lurks beneath the film's surface. As wondrous as the human-less atmosphere can be, it also takes away opportunities for identification. "Milo & Otis" can thus feel a little distant, as every character is just another iteration of Moore's voice. After a while, it becomes borderline surreal.

The surrealism only expands in the third act when the titular characters meet their mates, and Moore lends his voice to a white female cat named Joyce and a French female pug named Sandra. He continues voicing them as they bare Milo's kittens and Otis' puppies. The camera spares no images as these animals give birth onscreen. It's a tough sequence to watch as an adult. For the film's young target audience, it might be confusing, if not terrifying.

On the topic of terror, one cannot reflect on "Milo & Otis" without bringing up the allegations of animal abuse on set. The American Humane Society along with similar groups in Europe and Australia all accused the production of mistreating, intentionally wounding, and even killing members of its animal cast. A shot of Milo falling off a cliff and a scene of Otis tussling with a humungous black bear make it easy to believe that a few animals were definitely harmed in the making of this film.

Still, there is undeniable charm in the final product. Perhaps because of increased animal rights protections, we no longer see many movies featuring real animals as the main characters. Over the course of four years, Hata allegedly shot over seventy hours of footage, which he then edited down to the film we have. That is a degree of passion that few filmmakers have. If "Milo & Otis" were made today, it would certainly be an animated feature, and not have nearly the same effect.

"The Adventures Of Milo & Otis" might have a dark past, and a couple disturbing moments within the film, but we cannot deny that it is cinematically impressive and a relic of something bygone. For kids blind to the abuse claims and able block out the birth scene, it remains funny, cute, and (in a campy, subdued sort of way) jovially exciting!

I originally looked up this movie on IMDB because something triggered my memory of this delightful movie. 25 now, I have not seen this movie in many years, so I was slightly surprised (Though I should not have been) when other viewers commented on the inhumane treatment of animals during the filming of this movie.

As an initial note- STOP COMPARING THESE ANIMALS TO STUNTMEN! Stuntmen and women have the free will and prerogative to perform in movies or not. Animals do not have the same choice. By virtue of the fact that animals can't drive themselves to auditions or to the movie set, it should be clear that OWNERS, not ANIMALS made the decisions to be in this and other movies. The comparison is inane.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie as a young teen, but recognize now that the price undoubtedly paid by these animals was not worth 90 minutes of viewing enjoyment. If you choose to be entertained by a story of friendship between species, go to your local ASPCA and adopt a cat and a dog. The bond will be genuine, and the amusement value will last much longer than 90 minutes and you'll be promoting compassion to animals rather than abuse and mistreatment.

I watched Milo & Otis a few times as a kid in school and really enjoyed it. And watching it as an adult was almost just as fun. I kept getting hit with waves of nostalgia as some lines were said or when certain music was playing. It's a slower movie. Even at only 1 hour and 15 minutes it drags a bit. However, my kids were just as enthralled with it as I was when I was their age. This was a fun trip down memory lane.

Ever since I was 5 or 6 I would always go to the local video store and ask to rent the same movie ( Milo and Otis ) until my mom finally bought it for me. Milo and Otis is one of the few films of all time that cannot be classified into any genre. It is a film meant for all, a true celebration of life. If you have a heart, which you all do, then you will deeply feel this celebration. It's emotional and spiritual level cannot be surpassed or defined.

Some shallow people get turned off because they think the animals have been hurt. If you only knew Masanori Hata's life. He has his own island, Hakkaido, where he spent 4 or 5 wonderful years loving and viewing these animals behaviors, and is one of the biggest animal lovers of all time. Why would he put these animals in harm's way, him of all people? I would worry more about Hollywood films than him, because he is such a deep, devoted person to all animals. Watch this film, young or old, and you will be touched in a very genuine way. It truly is a celebration of life. Watch for symbols of all sorts and be led into this unhindered, unpredictable, and yet insecure and innocent loving world. This story will take you to that special place and invite you to experiance life, and will as assuredly inspire and move you. See for yourself...

Appealing film taken from a Japanese movie from a few years earlier has actor Dudley Moore narrating this story about best friends Milo(a cat) & Otis(a dog) who become best friends as kitten & pup growing up together on a farm, then staying that way for life. One day, Milo is playing in a box on the river that is swept downstream into the rapids, prompting Otis to follow him in a desperate attempt at rescue. Milo escapes into unfamiliar territory, with Otis right behind, and so begins a series of adventures that takes them both all over the place, through all kinds of weather, as they both meet their mates and have families of their own... Charming film is well-narrated by Moore, in a funny yet straight-forward manner. There were charges of animal neglect here, but nothing proved, and it certainly doesn't look like that was the case watching the film. Refreshingly free of humans as well!

I first saw this movie because the kids demanded to see it. I was pleasantly surprised to find that "Milo and Otis" is incredible! Sure, it is "cute" enough for kids of all ages-- but it is also meaningful and real for adults, even if it might be best enjoyed as an allegory or fable. The scenes are beautiful, and the cinematography is amazing, in the stunning Japanese naturalist style. The story is bold and loving; I found humor, interest, and positive encouragement and -- dare I say it so cornily? -- life lessons. Because it is so charming, as well as entertaining, I found it to be an excellent "date" video! The kind of women I am attracted to most, tend to find this movie (at least for one viewing) a pleasant alternative to regular fare. I rate it a solid "10," and recommend it to adults-- You'll enjoy it!

this movie is excellent, kids love it and it's fun for adults, too. the animals are adorable, and the narrator is perfect. i love the complete absence of humans throughout the movie. far preferable to other animal movies in which the animals talk (which is just an cheap way of getting around the communication problem in animal movies). instead of a slap-dash disney-type production, this is more like a storybook that someone has really taken the time to bring to life.

As the sensible alternative to the first BABE movie, this one offers a lively storybook feeling through Dudley Moore's clear narration. This is just for the young children who will enjoy the lovable all-animal cast, with savoringly fine performances from our cat-and-dog duo. Best part: Milo, in his lonesome survival. Worst part: the excessive perils that keep on popping up quite often. Perfect as the big bedtime snack for the wide-awake, it's a clever and simple little kid's movie to last a good 75 minutes until the big drift-away to Dreamland.

I hate when people review a film without making any researches about it. In the 80s, there was basically no laws to protect animals. A lot of newspapers at the time reported the atrocities that the animals had to endure during this shooting, well,the ones who could survive. About 30 kittens were killed during the shooting and the most terrible thing is that most of them were killed deliberately. The famous scene when Chartran (Milo or Otis, in french the kitten name is Chartran) falls from a high cliff needed many kittens, one for each take...there's also all those terrible stuff about the little bear and the dog. The Columbia refused at that time to put in the credits that no animals were harmed during the shooting. A lot of viewers were in shock after the screening cause obviously, a film like that without any FX could had not been shot without cruelty. Chartran was not a kitten but tens of them... Boycott that piece of s...! It's not a cute film for all ages, it's a snuff for kids, a HUGE mass grave that should be remembered only for all the atrocities it has done to those unwilling animals.

Sure, the end result was a very cute movie, but now that I am a parent I would never allow my son to see this film. Every scene includes some horrible thing done to the animal 'actors' in order to get a particular shot. Cats and dogs thrown off cliffs into ocean breakers, riding down whitewater rivers in a box, chased by predators, shaking and wet and caked in snow... it really is a nonstop montage of abusive scenes. The movie was filmed in Japan so it did NOT have the American standard of animal supervision, and it is interesting to note that the disclaimer at the end does NOT say that no animals were harmed.

I would never want my son to think that it was ok to treat animals this way, nor would I want to support the film industry in making films this way. The animals in this movie had no idea that it was all "just pretend" nor did they give consent. They probably thought they were about to die any number of times during the filming, and that is assuming that none did die, which I'm not too sure of.

I think it is important to consider the moral ramifications before viewing this movie or showing it to children.

Apparently IMDb accidentally deleted my first review of this movie. Maybe the staff was too busy putting up more eye-damaging moving advertisements?! *sniffle*

The movie is amazingly charming, has a good voice-over by Dudley Moore, and features a bunch of insanely cute animals. You'll come away feeling like you were petting a kitty for 2 hours... or 75 minutes....

Also: the music is great! "Gonna Take a Walk Outside Today" is one of the best feel-good folk songs ever, up there with Raffi's rendition of "An Octopus' Garden"! And watch for the voice samples of "woofs" and "meows" used in the music during the rescue scene where Otis uses a rope. Hahaha -- ridiculously endearing!

The Adventures of Milo & Otis is truly spectacular. I do wonder about a couple of scenes in the movie, like where Milo leaps from a cliff into the ocean. That seemed as though it could've been... abuse? I really can't imagine the Japanese film-makers would kill a bunch of kitties for the sake of a kids' movie, though. That would just be sick...

As a young boy, I had an almost-obsessive love of animals and adventure, and so it should come as no surprise that 'The Adventures of Milo and Otis' was one of my all-time favourite childhood films. Unfortunately, the battered and overused VHS tape on which I had initially watched the film had, for years, been tragically misplaced, and so I'd never had an opportunity to relive the joys and wonders of a film I'd loved for so long. Luckily, however, whilst browsing through a table of children's DVDs at a store, I happened upon this familiar title, and so I wasted no time in snatching it up and purchasing it. Time and maturity, it seems, has done little to dilute the absolute cinematic magic of this extraordinary film.

Originally a darker Japanese film entitled 'Koneko monogatari {A Kitten's Story / The Adventures of Chatran},' the extensive 400,000 feet of footage from one-time director Masanori Hata was taken by Columbia Pictures and completely changed, trimmed (from 90 to 76 minutes) and Westernised into the adorable children's tale of a cat named Milo and his canine best friend, Otis. Whilst the Japanese version – a huge box office success in its home country – had been narrated by Shigeru Tsuyuguchi, British comedy actor Dudley Moore helmed the American version, providing the voices for all the creatures in the film. Notably, 'The Adventures of Milo and Otis' doesn't contain a single human actor, though we certainly do see traces of human habitation, most noticeably in a train and in Milo and Otis' beloved farmhouse.

The film begins at the aforementioned farm, with a pregnant feline mother giving birth to a litter of cats in the upper floor of the barn. One young kitten, Milo, proves himself to be more adventurous and troublesome than his siblings, and an unexpected tumble from the barn loft sees him meeting a young pug puppy by the name of Otis. There is an oddly-touching moment when Otis announces himself to be not a cat, but a dog. Milo tentatively replies, "but... deep down inside, we're all cats, right?" Despite being of stereotypically opposing species, Milo and Otis form a life-long friendship, becoming the best of companions and accompanying each other on their numerous exciting adventures. One day, however, during their favourite game of hide-and-seek, Milo jumps into a wooden box beside the jetty, and it is suddenly swept downriver by the current. Otis, seeing his friend in distress, does his best to help, but he is not quick enough to prevent Milo from drifting further and further away from the farmhouse. As the uneasy cat begins to stray into scarily unfamiliar territory, he faces an array of difficult adversities – including a hungry bear, a flock of seagulls, a venomous snake and a cavernous pit – though he can always rely on the fact that his good pal Otis will always be in hot pursuit, despite his own share of potentially hazardous situations.

Contrary to what some have commentated, 'The Adventures of Milo and Otis' is most certainly a children's film at heart, with a wonderful message of dedication, loyalty and friendship. Perhaps some parents may feel tentative about the scene in which both Milo and Otis' female companions give birth to litters of youngsters; however, it's hardly graphic or obscene in any real way, successfully translating, I thought, the wonder of life and birth. The footage, which was filmed over four years, breathtakingly captures the splendour of the Japanese countryside, containing countless truly inspired moments of photography from cinematographers Hideo Fujii and Shinji Tomita. The lovely field of blossoms, where the kind-hearted doe teaches Milo to frolic, springs straight to mind as a particularly memorable moment. Additionally, adults should also enjoy the narration from Dudley Moore, whose gentle voice and subtle humour speaks to both kids and adults. There is also that infectious theme tune, "Walk Outside," written by Dick Tarrier and performed by Dan Crow.

It is unfortunate that a continuous spate of controversy has slightly tarnished this lovely film's name. It is not uncommon to come across completely unfounded claims that animals were tortured and even killed during the making of the film. After carrying out some research of my own, I can find absolutely no substantiated evidence to support these allegations, most of which were probably concocted based on a single viewing of the film. Indeed, there are moments during 'The Adventures of Milo and Otis' when our favourite animal characters appear to be in potentially dangerous situations. Rather than being evidence of clear cruelty, it would be more accurately described as clever film-making. It is often remarkable to realise how effectively carefully-chosen camera angles, quick cuts, slow-motion and trained animals can be used to create the illusion of mortal peril.

Additionally, the closing credits proclaim that "the animals used were filmed under strict supervision with the utmost concern for their handling." Though some have affirmed that these titles explicitly avoid the use of the term "no animals were harmed," I venture that this phrase was never of customary-use until after 1989, the year of the film's US release. Unfortunately, the American Humane Association has not issued an animal cruelty review for the film, which would have finally put an end to all the heated debate. Contrary to what some have stated, my humble research has discovered that director Masanori Hata was a respected zoologist who owned a private animal farm near Hokkaido. Also taking into account the large time-span over which 'Milo and Otis' was filmed (in many cases, Hata simply let his animal actors roam free and filmed their natural actions), it seems unlikely that such an animal-lover would allow any of his mammalian friends to come to harm. I regret that so much of my review has been dedicated to such a grim topic, since this is truly a remarkable children's movie, brimming with wonder and magic that is sure to inspire all who see it.

1st watched 9/26/2004 - 6 out of 10(Dir- Masanori Hata): Cute real-life adventure type movie with very funny and inventive narration by Dudley Moore. This is very similar to the Disney "Homeward Bound" series of movies except that each animal doesn't have it's own individual voice. All the voices are handled by one person, Mr. Moore. This works because of his ability to change his voice very effectively especially in one case where he does a female cat that you'd swear isn't him. Another difference is that this story lasts thru many seasons with the pup & kitten becoming mom & dad and having families. This is a very safe film that won't frighten younger viewers and teaches them a little about life, which is definitely a plus as well. The only real negative is the irritating and corny theme song, but if you can get thru this you'll enjoy the movie.

I have loved this movie since childhood. I have never seen the Japanese version, though I hear it is better. This is a movie about an orange tabby tom cat named Milo and a cream and black Pug named Otis. They grow up together, and while playing one day Milo gets swept away by the river. This is the story of their separate journeys to find each other, and the way home. I really enjoyed this movie, and would recommend it for the young and young at heart. This is a good kids movie because there is no violence, no five minute long makeout sessions, just good clean fun about two animal best friends and their adventures.

Admittedly I am a bit biased since pugs are my favorite dogs in the world. This movie will make you lose count of how many times you go Awwww! Besides the puppy and the kitten as the stars you have a whole Menagerie of other animals from Bears to Hedgehogs and a lot of other baby animals as well. This is a movie you can enjoy at any age which makes it a perfect family film. As the title of this review says, it is a precious overload. It made me take my own pug and huger her extra tight. I highly recommend this to ages 3 to 100. You won't be disappointed with this story of two separated friend trying to find each other in the big world outside of the farm.

Chatran has the only merit to show how far you can go to earn a fistful of miserable bucks. Sacrificing a dozen cats who never asked for anything does not represent my conception of bringing fantasy and entertainment to an audience. "Sure, let's throw the cat from the roof and put it on film, I'm sure the kids will love it!" I'm not saying that no animal was ever harmed on any other shooting that this one, but there's a difference between a horse with a broken leg and five cats thrown from a cliff until one survives and the sequence is wrapped up. (I'm not making this up.) Watching Chatran is like witnessing scientific experiments on animals with the medics laughing their heads off in the background. Except here, the only goal is to make money. The ultimate hypocrisy is that it's supposed to be a charming and moving story with big moral issues about life... To think that the director of this thing is one of the most talented and popular writers in Japan really has me wondering. A sickening experience of cinematographic lobotomy. Blindness is dangerous. Stay aware.

I first saw this movie when I was like 7 years old and I still love it (i'm 12)! Anyone could love this movie! Perfect movie for all! Its really cute and kinda sad but still great all the same! Animal lovers are recommended to see this great movie if you already haven't! Well, thats my comment! (Canadian, American, etc title is Milo and Otis)

My favorite movie of all time! The cinematography was breathtaking (filmed entirely in Japan over the course of 4 years), the storyline (the adventures of friends who are very different from each other and the lessons they learn in life) was universally heartwarming, the actors (only animals - humans would have been superfluous) were incredibly adorable, and Dudley Moore's narration was utter perfection.

Disregard the negative reviews about the movie. No one ever seems to complain or shout when human stuntmen and women shoot dangerous scenes, nor when "reality" TV shows feature real people getting injured and/or killed for the sake of our entertainment. Animal actors are rewarded in the same way as human actors are, except animal currency is FOOD! Anyone who has their own menagerie (like the director) has to be an animal lover, which the director of this movie clearly is. A disclaimer at the end of the movie ensures that all animals were carefully supervised during the making of this movie. The more common "No animals were hurt during the making of this movie" could not be used because the American Humane Association (AHA) does not oversee non-American films.

If you're looking for a movie that will delight you over and over again, make a beeline for The Adventures of Milo and Otis!