A Dog of Flanders (1999)

the audience applauded

Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

i saw it just 3 days ago for the first time, and although i consider myself as a tough guy, i cried at the end ...lovely film...the people who remain untouched , simply have no heart....sorry for my English... i have to fill the lines or it will not be published.. so, jon voight is always a plus, jack warden too, and the little nelo was very touching....and elois, too.. i have to write more, as it seems... i loved it thanks i loved the green fields, the original places , but most of all , the characters and the struggle of the poor people for their living...it was a very special film...

I remember when I saw "A Dog of Flanders" at the age of 10. I was enchanted by the movie, and inspired by it, especially since I was highly interested in art. Sure, it has some clichés, and the film seems a bit amateur, but it's a nice welcome from some of these movies being churned out by Hollywood. It's a movie the family can watch, although, younger children most likely won't be entertained by it... it is a purely emotion-driven movie, not one with endless car chases and explosions. For a school report, I took "A Dog of Flanders" and put it into context with "the hero's journey" which the movie is... a humble hero's journey (look it up, and you'll see what I mean.) But most of all, it is the timeless tale of love and forgiveness, which is a lesson we must all learn, particularly in the world climate we live in today. I invite you to watch and hopefully enjoy. I know I did.

Upon going into the theatre to see this film, i had my doubts as to its quality; it was after all billed as somewhat of a childrens film. My original reason for seeing this movie was because i own a Bouvier des Flandres; the breed of dog featured in it. All i can say now is its a good thing i bought a Bouvier or i would have missed one of, in my opinion, the best films in years. Go on all you want about whatever other films you enjoyed in the past few years; for me "A Dog of Flanders" tops them all. Not in a long time has a film touched me emotionally as well as "pleased the eye". Im not a great reviewer of movies, but i know a good one when i see it and this is definately one of this years best.

This heartwarming film is based on the 19th century children's novel by Ouida Sebestyen. It has been made into a movie several times, starting in 1914 with a woman playing the starring role of the boy Nello. In the 1959 version David Ladd played Nello.Now in 1999 two wonderful boys play Nello. First, Jesse James plays the young Nello at about 7 years of age. He plays the orphan lad to perfection, tugging at our hearts with his waif looks and shaggy blonde hair. Jesse's previous acting experience includes the movie "Message in a Bottle" and a series of Tommy Hilfiger ads.Later, the older Nello, aged 12, is played by Jeremy James Kissner. His previous movie was a part in "Great Expectations" in 1998. Again, Kissner plays the orphan boy perfectly. See him and the dog, after whom the novel and the movie are named, earning their living delivering milk in a little cart pulled by the dog. This was how that breed of dog, Bouvier de Flanders, earned their keep in the 19th century.In the style of the Victorian dramas, the poor neglected orphan boy finally wins the prize. Its the getting there that's the interesting part of the story.Interesting side bar: Jack Warden plays Nello's grandpa. Warden played this role nearly 30 years ago, as the grandpa to Charlie, in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory - another story of a poor boy who wins his reward after much effort.Watch for these two boys in more movies. There's lots of parts calling for comely blondes with haunting eyes. These boys really make you want to take them home, feed them, give them a hot bath, new clothes, and take them into your heart. Its a long tradition starting with Freddie Bartholomew in the 1930's.