If you like this movie, you should see Umberto D. Although the dog played a supporting role to his master, the it stole the final scenes and climax. Memorable.
If this Japanese dog will to win an all time Best Anumal Actor award, the one in Umberto D deserve a supporting award.
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Thanks a ton for the tips, guys. I really enjoy Vittorio de Sica films, and I absolutely adore dogs. I had no idea Umberto D had a dog in it. It's on my official 'must get' list.
Another great dog movie, though not in the same league as Hachi-ko or Umberto D, is I Am Legend with Will Smith. Yes, it's a mainstream action flick, but the close relationship between Smith and his dog (literally his co-star) is profoundly affecting. Even people who don't like dogs admit that it made them think of dogs in a different light.
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Hi KOF, thanks for the heads-up. Without spoiling the story, would you say there was any animal cruelty in the making of the film? I can handle fictional animal cruelty or killing, just as long as the director doesn't do it in real life as, unfortunately, many directors did back then.
I quickly browsed the Umberto D keywords for "animal cruelty" or "actual-animal-killed" but didn't see anything of the sort. Do I get the go-ahead?
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I'm both intrigued & horrified ...but I hate spoilers, so I think I'll just take my chances & watch it. I think I know the feeling you're talking about... in The Misfits there's a long, painful scene involving the brutal treatment of a horse being wrestled, but it's central to the storyline, and the ultimate message of the film gives you a good feeling. According to star Eli Wallach, the scene was done humanely, but I tell you it looks nasty.
Anyway, yeah, I guess I'll go for it. I'm glad that you warned me, though. The worst is when something like that hits you unexpected.
Regarding I Am Legend, it won't change your life or anything, but the relationship between Smith & his dog is very nicely done. The movie is a remake of The Omega Man, basically a story about the last man on Earth, but in this new version he has a dog. I happened to catch it on TV and was pleasantly surprised.
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