The Trial of Old Drum (2000)

That was an excellent one.

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

If anyone remembers sitting in front of the television and watching the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Disney program (in living color!), you will immediately recognize the same feeling in watching this movie. Of course you know how it is going to end (especially since it's based on a true story) but just knowing that true stories like this can and did happen is enough reason to watch it.It's so corny you will feel as if you ate a bag of popcorn, but if you're like me you'll find yourself watching it anyway and even tearing up at the obligatory moments of small boy crying over the dying dog. Twice.And maybe you won't want to have very small children watch (especially since there is one gory scene with dead and bloody dogs). And that is why I deducted a few points.But if you want to regain that same old feeling you had watching Disney as a child then you will find this movie to be a time machine to some good memories of another age for you and for the country and its values. And you, like me, will find yourself saying "I love you" to the wet-nosed wolf wannabe in your own household.

I didn't expect much from this one. It's slow pace and older feeling did not appeal to me, but I ended up really enjoying it.The story is thick with morals, which, if I were to list them all, would seem too much, but they are not over-done. You do not feel preached to, but are aware of these lessons. I didn't necessarily agree with one, but that didn't lessen my enjoyment much.The acting for the most part was simply adequate, but there were some brilliant parts where it really mattered. Young Charlie's (Bobby Ednar's) plea for the help of the lawyer was heart-rending. He was also very moving in the scene when Old Drum's life was on rocky ground after Drum had rescued Charlie.Oh, and I just loved Uncle Lon's (John Shuck's) expression when he was being mercilessly teased, as well as his manner in the court room. Excellent, excellent job. Kathy Garver was also brilliant as his lovingly loyal wife.And if a movie must have a narrator, something I'd usually rather avoid, let it be Randy Travis. His manner of speaking carries such charm that you can't be too annoyed by being told what's going on rather than just seeing it for your self.The romance between Charles (Ron Perlman) and Ann (Alexis O'Keefe) is sweet and a nice little side story.This movie was very predictable, having all the elements you expect from a boy and his dog movie, including the threat of rabies, but since it is so well done it doesn't take much away if anything.I highly recommend it, and if you have young children watch it with them more than once so that you have the opportunity to discuss those morals that matter to you and really reach their hearts.

Unlike a previous viewer, I liked the narration by the "adult" character narrating himself as a the "child" in the movie, it reminded me of "The Waltons" in a way. The movie is somewhat reminiscent of "Old Yeller" or "Where the Red Fern Grows", both of which I highly recommend.Though the original trial of Old Drum was in 1870, the setting for the movie is 1955; which more in the viewer audience can personally relate to. There are other differences between the real historical trial and the movie, in 1870 the dog was killed, and there were several trials and appeals. The dog's owner was awarded $50 (about $700 today) in damages.As the movie is only inspired by the trial and not a historical documentary, you can enjoy the movie for what it is- a good movie with a historical reality behind it and some nice acting situations.The DVD I have from Goodtimes has very interesting production scenes as well as the director's narration about how the movie was made- both in the special section on the disk. Some revelations about the filming, actors, scenes, sets,locations etc are quite interesting and a welcome bonus on the DVD!

This is a family movie set in 1950's rural America about a boy whose Uncle presses sheep killing charges against his dog Drum, starting not only a family legal feud but community discord as their town begins to take sides.This is formula film that attempts to be very touching and sweet. Its biggest weakness is that the only people who could really act were Scott Bakula (Defense Lawyer), Ron Perlman (father/Drum's owner) and the dog. (John Shuck and Kathy Garver, "Sissy" from the original "Family Affair," as the Uncle and his wife, were okay.) The children were not that good (basically they looked like they were acting) and that's a problem when the film really revolves around them (Aaron Fors, who plays the bully Donny makes me think of what the actor Russell Crowe must have looked liked as a child, only with no talent but a lot of ham). Favorite line (spoken by the Prosecutor after Scott Bakula's Defense closing trial speech): "We'll be lucky if they don't lynch us." Favorite line spoken by Ron Perlman (after his son punches the bully): "Now making him your friend, that will be the hard part."Cute enough to rent/buy used.