The dog, man's best friend, is no stranger to cinema. Throughout history, dogs have starred in a significant number of films.
Although in most dog movies the tone of comedy prevails, there is also room for adventure and drama.
What would the dog movies be without Lassie?
A good number of dogs of all races and sizes have paraded on the big screen. But the one set a precedent and paved the way for these companion animals to become part of the “star system” was Lassie.
This Collie dog was born from the mind of the British writer Eric Knight, who in 1938 published the story Lassie: come home. The success was instantaneous. Two years later, the story was published again, this time as a novel. But the international consecration would arrive in 1943. Directed by Fred W. Wilcox and starring Roddy McDowall and Donald Crisp, the film of the same name would mark a before and after regarding animals in film and television.
As additional information, this film would also be responsible for the birth of another world-famous star: a girl named Elizabeth Taylor.
Over time, Lassie has starred in seven additional films, in addition to having their own TV shows on several occasions.
Beethovenby Brian Levant (1992)
Early 90's It was a great Saint Bernard who took over the film box office worldwide. It raised just under $ 150 million against a budget that did not reach $ 20.000.000.
Starring Charles Grodin, Bonnie Hunt Stanley Tucci, Oliver Platt, David Duchovny, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
In 1993 a sequel was released, just as successful as the original film.
Given the high rate of reboots and remakes, it is not surprising that in the not too distant future we will have Lassie and Beethoven back in theaters.
Hashiko Monogatariby Seijiro Koyama (1987)
There are famous dogs, beyond the dog movies. One of them is Hachiko, a specimen of the Akita breed whose history of love and loyalty to his master has traveled all the corners of the planet.
It was the highest grossing Japanese film of 1987. Its success even resulted in a remake made in Hollywood starring Richard Gere in 2009 with Joan Allen
101 Dalmatians, by Clyde Geronimi and Wolfang Reitherman (1961)
Produced by Walt Disney himself, based on the homonymous story written by the British Doddie Smith.
It's one of the classic animated tapes from the Mickey Mouse studio, imperishable regardless of the passage of time.
As a technical curiosity, it is the first motion picture film to use xerography. A process used to copy onto a surface the same imagen. Had it not been for this practical solution, the animators would have had to draw the 101 Dalmatians one by one.
101 Dalmatians: More alive than ever! by Stephen Herek (1996)
The fashion for adaptations of animated classics in real action did not begin, as many believe, Alice in Wonderland by Tim Burton (2010). And he continued with this sample of dog movies, based on many Dalmatians. Already in 1996, this remake explored the enormous economic possibilities that this practice offers to studios.
In many respects, it is an almost exact copy of the animated film from the early 60s. Its success is based on Glenn Close's characterization of the villain in the story: Cruela De Vil
La dama y el vagabundoby Clyde Geronimi (1955)
Before 101 Dalmatians, Walt Disney had already ventured into dog movies. Based on the novel by Ward Greene. Chronicles the romance against social rules of a graceful American Cocker Spaniel with a ragged street dog. The protagonist, in order to win the heart of the "girl", in addition to the approval of his friends and owners, must prove his worth.
A couple of three (Marley and me) by David Frankel (2008)
Comedy and romance to begin the story, drama to the end. Starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston. It tells the adventures of an American family, while they are accompanied by an effusive Labrador.
Based on the autobiographical account of John Grogan. It's one of the highest-grossing dog movies of the XNUMXst century
Your best friendby Lasse Hallström (2017)
Based on the novel by W. Bruce Cameron A dog's purpose. Directed by the Swede Lasse Hallström, who had already taken over another film with a dog as the protagonist, the American version of Hachiko.
The film was destined to pass silently through the movie billboards of the planet. Until complaints about animal abuse during filming attracted attention. Immediately, pet rights associations called for a boycott of the film.
The film grossed more than $ 200 million at the box office. Many believe that this episode of protest ended up favoring the production and not the other way around.
frankkenweenieby Tim Burton (2012)
A dog that returns from the dead in the best Frankenstein style, the terrifying character created by Mary Shelly. In addition, presented as an animated film for all audiences, with the stop motion technique. That can only come out of Tim Burton's mind.
Boltby Chris Williams (2008)
This production was destined to steal all the attention during the first days of the boreal winter of 2008. At least that is what its producers hoped. The attention would end up monopolizing a story of vampires and teenagers starring Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson.
Despite the competition, Bolt became one of the most popular dogs in cinema in recent years.
Other dog movies
In some tapes, the dogs are not the main characters in the story. Although that does not prevent them from stealing all the attention. As an example, the Jack Russell Terriers that accompanied Jim Carrey and Jean Dujardin on La máscara (1994) and in The artist (2012)
Be that as it may, dog movies continue to be well received in the world. cinema for the whole family.
Image Sources: Perriscope / Few Megas HD / QR Movies