MovieChat Forums > Red Dog (2012) Discussion > Why was the dog special again?

Why was the dog special again?

posted 12 years ago by globalist
16 replies | jump to latest

Can somebody explain what was so special about this dog? Like, in real life? What really made him an australian legend?

I've seen the movie but it was basically just one big WTF moment for me. It worked as a promotional video for the West Australia Mining Co. or some such, but as an explanation of why this dog was special it failed. This review sums it up quite well:

"The film's big mistake is that in telling the legend of a dog that's famed - apparently - for its epic solo journey around western Australian in search of its owner, this section of the story is reduced to a five minute montage of Red Dog walking along roads, superimposed Indiana-Jones-style over a map."

So, again, should we care for this dog just because he happened to swim for a steak during a shark attack, or because he was brought to a vet by an italian who fell for the vet's assistant?

1/10

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[–] shellmine 12 years ago

you said it in your post:

"legend of a dog that's famed - apparently - for its epic solo journey around western Australian in search of its owner"

I dont know why people are being such smartarses about it though, would anybody really want to see a dog wandering around australia looking for someone for 90 minutes? The appeal of this was it gave him a backstory, elaborated on his owner, his town, death etc.

Biased, but honest.

[–] globalist 12 years ago

"would anybody really want to see a dog wandering around australia looking for someone for 90 minutes?"

I guess I'd rather see that than this pandering, dishonest excuse for a film gone mining promo.

1/10

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[–] willywilly 12 years ago

"would anybody really want to see a dog wandering around australia looking for someone for 90 mins"

It's called a road movie. Could have been great. All up to the writer.

[–] TheMachinistSleeps 12 years ago

Did they really do the Indiana Jones map thing? That sounds hilarious. This could be one of those "so bad it is good" movies in a few more years.

[–] globalist 12 years ago

Indeed. The "Indy" map scene is topped only by the crowd-gone-singing-at-the-very-end-wtf scene. :D

1/10

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[–] truantone 11 years ago

You know, I truly hate group singing numbers in US movies, they are almost always overdone, cliched, and cringe-worthy.

There's also a couple of karaoke scenes with Hilary Swank and Cameron Diaz that should have been left on the cutting room floor.

But this movie...

When I first arrived in Western Australia, many moons ago, at my first visit to a pub, some song came on on the jukebox that I had never heard, and lo and behold, the entire room burst into song. EVERYBODY knew the lyrics, except me. I wouldn't class Australians as a singing culture, not like where I am from, but there is definitely a drinking culture that can easily lead to song.

Try playing Cold Chisel, Little River Band, or Jimmy Barnes at a party, you'll know what I mean.

[–] Mousuke 12 years ago

Did they really do the Indiana Jones map thing? That sounds hilarious. This could be one of those "so bad it is good" movies in a few more years.

Er, no - it will never be 'so bad it's good' because it is a lovely film. If you don't like the idea of an Indiana Jones type map there is no point even watching it because it has many tongue in cheek moments complete with CGI facial expressions and slapstick fights between cat and dog.

This film is not for everyone but I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who likes dog films like Wendy and Lucy and Bombon el Perro.

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[–] chrichtonsworld 12 years ago

Hmmmmm.
An adventurer,a member of an union,several clubs and his own bank account.
He loved people and they loved him.That sounds pretty awesome to me.
If someone after watching the movie is not charmed and touched even once then you need to go to see the wizard.It's a feel good movie.

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[–] subase 12 years ago

Well if the film is somewhat accurate, it makes Red Dog a 'Great Dog', as in just like we have larger than life people like Napoleon and Orson Welles. This dog was greater in every respect to other dogs.

His independence was unrivalled.
His friendliness new no bounds.
His resourcefulness unmatched.
His loyalty legendary.

I like dogs so it's pretty cool and legitimate to have a film based on a one of the worlds greatest dogs.

[–] globalist 12 years ago

"His independence was unrivalled.
His friendliness new no bounds.
His resourcefulness unmatched.
His loyalty legendary."

Yea, that's what the movie tries to insinuate, but never manages to substantiate.

1/10

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[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] jack-upland 11 years ago

I can understand why the dog was famous in the Pilbara at the time, but it's not much of a story to make a movie about.

[–] Scooby52 10 years ago

You could say the same for 'Marley and Me' another true story where Marley was just a regular household pet owned by a family. It's not so much the story but the way dogs and animals can touch human beings

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[–] rubymae7234 9 years ago

Red Dog was special because he affected an entire community, for all the miners who left their families, he was someone who they could confide in and be friends with. He helped someone find love saved someone's life and only gave up on looking for his owner after he had travelled halfway around Australia and all the way to Japan. Eventually he comes back home. The movie is about how he influenced a lot of people's lives, and about why he was special to that community.

[–] rubymae7234 9 years ago

[–] Moviemadness2015 8 years ago

The community didn't get on very well and red dog came along everybody got connected with him in doing that he brought the outback community together and the fact that looked everywhere for his owner hitchhiking rides is how he became a ledgend it's basically should that when john died the dog never give up he wouldn't even die until he found john.

I think it's one of the most beautiful films ever made.