I first watched this movie when I was a child probably around 2004 or 2005 whenever it was on DVD. It inspired me, enthralled me, and broke my heart. The first movie I ever cried watching and rewatching it today it still makes me cry.
The movie doesn't dilly-dally too much with a brief 85 minute runtime. But it certainly takes you through a whole world of emotions, a wonderful journey of boyhood and expression of love and family. I'm not religious, never have been, but even the religious themes present are wholesome and certainly not jarring.
I have never read the book or seen the 1974 movie so I have no biases going into this other than nostalgia. But trust me when I say this is required viewing for families of animal lovers as it tackles some heavy subjects in a way that will stick with kids, and can even help adults as well.
The movie doesn't dilly-dally too much with a brief 85 minute runtime. But it certainly takes you through a whole world of emotions, a wonderful journey of boyhood and expression of love and family. I'm not religious, never have been, but even the religious themes present are wholesome and certainly not jarring.
I have never read the book or seen the 1974 movie so I have no biases going into this other than nostalgia. But trust me when I say this is required viewing for families of animal lovers as it tackles some heavy subjects in a way that will stick with kids, and can even help adults as well.