Old Yeller [1957] [DVD]

A quite wonderful Walt Disney production and great to see that people are still buying and reviewing the dvd. It's the kind of film that has been good enough to produce on the old Super 8, laser disc, video tape and now digital versatile disc and like many others I'm happy to play this for any youngster visiting and know it will entertain, though there are moments of great sadness that are very touching.One of the great Disney live action films that ranks alongside the best of the company's animation classics.

A real classic feel good film.My wife and I are reliving our childhoods and are recreating Saturday Morning Pictures at home.This film often appeared back then and brought back many happy memories for usIt is a film that may leave you in tears at the end and may not appeal to today's audiences, but it is a window to a time and lifestyle which has all but disappearedWell worth a look.

Old Yeller is a stray yellow dog adopted by two young brothers who feel a bit lonely as dad's away working. This film follows their adventures together in the old west countryside around their farm. When this was filmed in 1957 dogs really did fight (trained) bears under the camera's eye, and the two young boys (and dog) are excellent totally convincing leads. It's a bit like the same era classic  The Incredible Journey (1961)  in terms of story, action, & colour, but for some odd reason this isn't as well known, despite being at least as good, if not even better.My 9 year old son really wanted this after watching the 'Old Yeller' song on a Disney sing-along video, and he loved the film (and the song). My daughter (10) also sat glued to it. The story is simple, moral and heartfelt, and is set in a 1860s rural Texas. Older brother Travis (aged 15) is proud to have been left with mum as 'the man in charge' of running the farm by dad but soon feels the pressure of the responsibility. The film is never overly sentimental or mawkish (unlike Greyfriars Bobby), although it oozes sincerity, probably reflecting Fred Gipson's original book. It's not a film the kids watch a lot now they are older, but it's certainly one they remember.So highly recommended for pre-teen kids (but possibly not for under fives). Personally I actually loved 'Old Yeller' - perhaps because the 1930's autobiographical homesteader book  Three Against the Wilderness  was a childhood favourite of mine.By the way I wouldn't read too many reviews if you haven't seen the film, as they rather give away the plot and knowing what happens really reduces enjoyment of the film in my view. We have the US Amazon resellers 'Vault Disney' NTSC two disc DVD set of this film which includes many extras including an interview with the older `brother' Travis (Tommy Kirk) which was actually very interesting, with him as he is now talking about working as a child for Disney in its golden era. Our American NTSC set has English HoH subtitles and Spanish subtitles, although the single PAL UK DVD version has English subtitles & English 5.1 audio only, and also includes the extras: 'The making of' documentary, 'Behind the scenes' and a 'musical montage of Disney dogs'. The DVD movie's been remastered back into its original 1.75:1 theatrical release wide-screen format. Old Yeller is also ideal to rent now that it is available in UK PAL format.The movie was directed by British born Robert Stevenson, who directed nineteen Disney live action films including Mary Poppins, The Love Bug, Bedknobs & Broomsticks and One of our Dinosaurs is Missing (Old Yeller being considered one of his best). It was Old Yeller's positive reception that convinced Walt Disney to significantly expand his live action movie production. Old Yeller's reputation has grown over the years and many now consider it one of the greatest 'boy and his dog' movies ever made. The film spawned a less critically acclaimed sequel  Savage Sam (1963)  which starred the same two boys as Travis and Arliss 6 years on - it was adapted from Fred Gipson's follow up book about Old Yeller's son.

Without spoiling the movie, this Disney classic deals with the tale of a boy and his dog throughout many adventures. A tale about growing up, it pulls no punches and can be a little heartbreaking for younger viewers. Nevertheless, this is the kind of story that Disney does so well.

Good film made more for kids than adults. Nice story about an old frontiers family language old fashioned and clean, really enjoyed by my granddaughters and I still love it even after all these years.

I first saw this film at my local cinema in 1957 when I was 8 years old,watching it again after 60 years brought back so many memories. I'm so glad I bought it & it was not expensive but worth every 'penny'.

If you treat an animal with kindness - you get it back ten fold. Lovely story and even if it was produced now it would still be as good. Well worth watching.

Wonderful film, i watched this film when I was young, now my grandson loves it to