MovieChat Forums > Last of the Dogmen (1995) Discussion > Wilfred........I'm begging ya...........

Wilfred........I'm begging ya...........

posted 19 years ago by boardwalk_angel
14 replies | jump to latest

"Shutup...you!!"
Fun, modern 'fantasy western'........with a great score..breathtaking scenery.....and wonderful sense of adventure.
As an afterthought........the studio added a pointless narration by an uncredited Wilford Brimley.......arguably the most irritating..annoying..unnecessary voice over I've ever heard......this is called the Theatrical audio on the disc...& should be avoided like a week old plate of beans.
Before you play it..go to the 'Languages' section on the DVD..choose the Director's audio version...& enjoy this improbable little gem of a film.

[–] bheyer 19 years ago

I'm with you 100%, boardwalk angel. I just got finished watching "Last of the Dogmen" on HBO,
and it didn't take me very long to ascertain that Wilford Brimley's insipid narration was COMPLETELY unnecessary. The movie could've stood, just fine, without it.

I'm the bad guy? How'd that happen?
Michael Douglas ("D-FENS"), in "Falling Down"

[–] stbrnd 19 years ago

I just wrote my review before reading this. Yep, they had to syrup this movie up with the Oatmeal guy. Thanks for the info on the DVD.

[–] sawyertom 19 years ago

I really didn't mind it.

[–] lacrescenta 19 years ago

I never hated the narration too much, since I've never seen this movie any other way, until I read ths thread. I was in the midst of watching the DVD again and discovered I could get rid of the narration. I prefer the film without it.

However, I have a habit of keeping the subtitles/close captions on (I don't have a hearing problem but I am trying to watch movies in a noisy environment, and I'd prefer to not turn the movie's volume up too high). So of course the close captions still print out the narration, even in the director's audio version! Kind of distracting.

Anyway, love the movie, love the dog, love Tom Berenger, Barbara Hershey, Steve Reevis, and the scenery. One of my favorite films ever!

[–] YorkvilleGirl 18 years ago

I so agree with you guys! This is one of my all-time fave movies, and but each time I see it, I cringe at ol' Wilfred's v.o. narration, too.

Why did we need it? We had everything the story required already, for maximum impact. We had breath-taking scenery, a solid script, interesting characters and good dramatic tension.

The voiceover narration in "Clueless" was amusing and light. In "Sunset Boulevard" it was darkly funny. In "All About Eve," it simply helped tell the tale.

But in this otherwise wonderful flick, it did the worst thing you can do in movie voiceover: It preached! It kept on preaching and never stopped. Yipes!

[–] WestyCat 14 years ago

I didn't mind the narration, but it would be nice to watch the movie without it to see if such a big difference is made.

WestyCat

[–] jpowell180 13 years ago

Similar to how Ridley Scott eliminated the voiceover on Blade Runner...even Harrison Ford didn't like it.

[–] OrwellHuxley 12 years ago

Hi there --

On which of the DVD issues would it be possible to turn the narration off? On the one which is widely available for a bargain at amazon or eBay, the one with the reddish cover? Or, would I find this feature only on the very pricy edition, with the beige cover?

Thanks in advance for an enlightening tip.

Problem solved. F*i*n*a*l*l*y!

P.S. -- I have new information regarding the pictured DVD. Finally one of the sellers I asked for it, has replied with the following:

"The DVD also allows you to turn off the voice over and has bonus material:

1) a Director's commentary
2) an Original Costume Sketch Gallery
3) the Original Theatrical trailer and TV spots, and...
4) three featurettes: "The Story," "Building the Cheyenne Village," and a "Behind the Scenes" montage."

But this is the Region 2 DVD for Europe & the UK.

Anyway, VLC player will play it.

[–] rspear61 12 years ago

I don't understand. the voice over I heard began when lewis starting tracking the convicts and it sounded like berringer's voice, certainly not brimley's. Unless it was a lot younger brimley that i don't recognize. i watched this on netflix streaming and never gave a thought that the voice was other than tom's.
"We're going to need a bigger boat..."

[–] [email protected] 11 years ago

I too just saw it on Cinemax and you're right, it isn't Wilford's voice over narration...but it really didn't sound like Berenger's voice too much either...now, here's the thing, I honestly believe the audio track might have been remastered. I own the VHS version of the film and the soundtrack is terrible, fades in & out...nearly impossible to hear unless you keep on pumping up and lowering the volume...

I don't know what the story is but to be honest, I prefer Mr. Brimley's narration as that's what I became accustomed to initially...I like his voice anyway...

Either way, it is one awesome flick...I love it!

[–] Smug_Grinch 11 years ago

I think the version playing on Cinemax, and more recently, HBO Family, must have the new, remastered soundtrack from the DVD because the narration was only briefly used and was definitely not Wilford Brimley.

---
We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.

[–] wayenta 11 years ago

You are correct. For some reason, Brimley's narration was removed sometime in the past two to three years, and that is actually why I've come here. Was hoping to get some information as to why it happened.

[–] DALenard 8 years ago

I like it - puzzled why so many hate it.

[–] HarlemEagle42 (16135) 2 years ago

It's really corny. Kills the mood in a lot of scenes.