Genre: Adventure, Family

Director: Charles Sturridge

Certificate: Lassie was rated PG by the Irish Film Censor's Office (www.ifco.ie) i.e. may be watched by unaccompanied children of any age but Parental Guidance is recommended.

Violence = mild. Drugs = none. Sex/Nudity = none. Language = none.

This new production of Lassie, based on Eric Knight's book "Lassie Come Home", is a case where the remake of a film is not a disappointing shadow of its predecessor.  Lassie, filmed in the Isle Of Man, Ireland and Scotland, shows some beautiful country scenery through which the dog travels and it is an excellent remake of a well known tale.

The Collie, Lassie, is a beautiful dog with its long nose, its shaggy coat and expressive face.  It's also one of the most intelligent breeds.  In the opening scenes Lassie's expressive face shows sympathy towards the fox who is being chased by hounds and she tries to delay the huntsmen.  She knows when to meet her owner from school and comforts him when he is sad.

A boatman on Lock Ness tells us that the Collie is a Scottish dog and, like the Scots, is very determined.  This is certainly borne out by Lassie who makes her way form Scotland to England through countryside and towns to return to her first owner, Joe Clairclough, whose parents were forced to sell her when the father (John Lynch) loses his job through the mine closure.  There are plenty of adventures for the loyal dog on this journey.  The film really portrays the great loyalty dogs have towards their owners.  One also recalls the great loyalty of Greyfriars Bobby in Edinburgh who never failed to keep his 'vigil' on his beloved master's grave.

The acting is good in the film.  Samantha Morton and John Lynch are good in the role of the parents of Lassie's owner Joe. The duke who buys Lassie from the Claircloughs is played by, Irish born, Peter O'Toole.  However, it is, of course Lassie who is the centre of attention.

Bottom Line: Delightful, entertaining, retelling of the popular shaggy adventure tale. 

Reviewed by Deirdre Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2006.

RELATED MOVIE REVIEWS:

PETER O'TOOLE: Troy (2004).  SAMANTHA MORTON: In America (2002),  Minority Report (2002).  JOHN LYNCH: Evelyn (2002).

Peter O'Toole,  Samantha Morton,  Hester Odgers, Jonathan Mason,  Steve Pemberton,  John Lynch

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