A Dog of Flanders (1999) User Reviews

Beautifully filmed, though it pulls its punches

[Jeremy Bristol · 6/10 · 31 May 2001]

Gorgeous scenery and decent child actors (at least for Nello) make this better than a lot of live action children's movies, but it's no Old Yeller or even a Fly Away Home. It doesn't have the period depth that the book had, and at times the characters seem to have societal views out of the 1990's (such as Alois saying that "Money doesn't make people happy," even though at that time people without money (to summarize one of Samuel Johnson's essays) had no leisure time to find happiness, as they were too busy furnishing themselves with what they needed merely to survive). I would have preferred they kept a little truer--allowing children to make comparisons between their society and past societies lets them use their minds to make their own decisions, something a lot of children's movies don't allow (you listening, Eisner?).

There are some good things, though. The relationship between Alois and Nello is less platonic than any of the other versions, making the father's reaction (fear that Alois will end up marrying Nello) more realistic--in the dubbed Japanese anime version released a year or so ago, I couldn't help thinking they seemed more like brother and sister than potential lovers. In this version, they seem only a few couple years away from sexual awakening--they finally seem like the young adolescents they're supposed to be.

Spoilers: Probably the biggest change in this version is the ending. Oh, sure, they still go through the motions of Nello's death, but he has a new age vision of his funeral and then returns to his body. Now here's the quandary--is it okay to do something like that? Sure, many literary and film critics have panned Oui'da's story and its ending as being fundamentally flawed--basically, just a glorified tear-jerker that is a sort of children's version of Dicken's A Christmas Carol. But it is also a religious story (in some way Nello and/or Patrasche are supposed to represent Jesus (the dog was whipped, after all), and Reuben's was famous for his religious paintings), so removing the death sort of removes the soul of the piece and renders it more palpable to our current PC/ACLU/Amnesty International public consciousness. It should be noted, though, that Kevin Brodie hints at the ending during the lovely Gypsy scene: when the fortune teller reveals that they have known each other in past lives (i.e. the earlier movie incarnations that were true to the original ending), she says something like, "You will finally find happiness in this life."

Good spirit and the right attitude, but the rest of the elements of a great movie just are not here. ** (out of four)

[Movie-12 · 6/10 · 24 March 2001]

A DOG OF FLANDERS / (1999) ** (out of four)

By Blake French:

"A Dog of Flanders" is a sweet, gentle, lovely motion picture about a young boy's desires and relationships with his everyday neighbors. It is the kind of movie that has its heart in the right place, but the quality of filmmaking is just not present. I feel a subtle guilt for giving the film a negative review because "A Dog of Flanders," directed by Kevin Brodie, is of such innocence and kindness. But the movie has an appearance quality of an callow amateur-contrived dialogue, typical costume designs, shameless sets-not surprisingly its filmmakers are fairly new at this business.

Bruce McGill ("The Legend of Bagger Vance") and the veteran actor Jon Voight are a few of the recognizable names in the cast. Many of the remaining performers are either not remotely popular or dried out has-beens, even though they do a considerably good job at portraying the tender characters.

"A Dog of Flanders" has been done before, on TV and in the movies. This is not to say there's no reason to refresh Ouida's sentimental fable since most of us probably have not seen any of the previous versions. Here, we get the same kind of sappy scenes and heavyhearted noble messages, dealing with issues like poverty, trust, death, passion, self confidence, following your dreams, hopelessness, regret, mistakes, and or course, love. The film is not really about a dog, though but about a boy who lost his mother at an early age and raised by his poor elderly grandfather.

The boy, named Nello (Jeremy James Kissner), finds a dog left for dead in the snow and adopts him (her?) and falls in love with both the dog and a rich girl named Aloise (Madylin Sweeten). Because of his social status, her philistine father wants his daughter to have no part with Nello. Nello also becomes friends with an proficient artist, Michel de la Grande (Jon Voight), who takes an interest in the boy's drawings and encourages him to enter a big art contest.

Jon Voight is good in his role, feeling confident and classy, a major step up from his performance in the painfully rotten horror flick "Anaconda." Jeremy James Kissner provides the film with an empathetic performance that is sweet and sweet-tempered. Jack Warden portrays a character with frailty and charm. However, there are just too many familiar clichés in the plot to recommend the picture. Many kids will find it boring and tedious, as will many adults. "A Dog of Flanders" has enough spirit and the right attitude, but the rest of the essential elements of a successful movie just are not here.

Great remake!

[Gunnar_Runar_Ingibjargarson · 7/10 · 20 June 2008]

An appreciation for fine art, virtue, and relationships marks this family film set in Europe when Flanders was still Flanders before it was swallowed up by France and Belgium. But parents should be aware that this 95-minute video also features a good dollop of death, beginning with the demise of the hero's mother at the very beginning when he is just a baby. Raised by his impoverished grandfather (Jack Warden), Nello (Jeremy James Kissner) nevertheless finds happiness in the dog he finds left for dead, a neighbor girl who becomes his soul mate, and the talent for drawing he inherits from his mother. He even becomes the protégé of the town's premier painter (Jon Voight). But life holds many bitter lessons for Nello, including the death of his grandfather when he is a teen, betrayal by those he trusts, and his own near-death. Gorgeously shot on location by director and co-writer Kevin Brodie, this movie has many rewards, including, finally, a happy ending. For mature 7-year-olds and up.

well..

[mikael496 · 28 April 2008]

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...

sorry ending

[okichan · 3/10 · 4 September 1999]

People love the original story for its ending. The Hollywood style ending made this 99 version of 'A Dog of Flanders' just for kids movie. I didn't cry this time because the story was too Hollywood. Japanese TV series are much better.

1959 version MUCH superior!

[cardhu2 · 4/10 · 21 April 2001]

I rented this film thinking it was the sobbingly sad 1959 version I saw as a kid. It was not. I was therefore very disappointed with what I felt was marginal acting, poor character development, and most of all, failure to highlight the relationship between the boy and his dog. In this version... the "Dog of Flanders" is just a cute "aside" to the movie. Get the 1959 version!

I've loved it since I was 10...

[Criswell75 · 9/10 · 8 August 2005]

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.

The Dog Is Cute

[Matt T · 1/10 · 5 September 1999]

The scenery is pretty and the dog is cute. Other than that, this film has absolutely nothing to recommend it. Jack Warden is pleasantly genial as usual, but the script is so awful that even he comes off badly. The plot makes no sense, the dialogue is dumb, and there are numerous smaller faults. But the dog is cute...

Heart-warming

[robertr75_1999 · 8/10 · 13 August 2005]

The guy who said "worst-ever" evidently has no heart. The movie was good and the character of Nello is sweet and good-hearted. I've been to both Antwerp and Flanders as a child and this story brought back memories. The movie is based on the classic book, and sure, the plot isn't all about the dog, but do you really want it to be? If the story was, then the other reviewer might have something to really complain about. I suppose since the central character is a child he objects to that? As to Jon Voight's performance--he's a supporting character--he's not supposed to be in the spotlight, although his character proves to be important later on. I hope the actor who played Nello gets more work; I see a lot of potential in him. If you are a parent your child should like this film, though there is some violence and people do die.

Simple, Pure Pleasure

[MrGreene · 9/10 · 25 August 1999]

A simple, pure, nearly unadulterated pleasure, with extraordinary performances and a lovely epiphany at the end. It might be the last movie of the century to representing the paradigm of what moviemaking during the studio era aspired to.

A Tear Jerker For Me

[Jon Torino · 9/10 · 3 March 2001]

I don't know why they named this "A Dog Of Flanders" because the dog doesn't really have the lead in this movie. I think they used it to make people think it was a "Lassie Come Home" kind of movie. Yes, the dog is 'whipped' by a cruel master in the beginning and he does stay by the side of the little boy throughout the story but he doesn't do anything so outstanding that the movie should be named around his character. SPOILERS Be that as it may - I cried with this film and really didn't want to rent it because all animal/child stories can make me cry. I hate to see any animal or child mistreated and I figured that might happen. The little boy is orphaned by his dying mother and raised by his Grandfather in a poverty shack with a landlord who is your typical Simon Legree. The dead mother was a talented artist and the boy inherits the gift. He works to become a famous artist and falls under the wing of a rich art/patron/teacher who keeps running off to Rome. There are false accusations against the boy over the burning of a barn, the landlord tosses him out of the shack after his Grandpa dies, the dog does cause the accidental death of his original cruel master when the cruel master tries to take him away from the boy. The end is sort of hokey but caught me off guard because I really thought the kid died. By the end of the film I was crying like a baby and applauding the movie itself. I recommend it if you're in the mood for a good 'break my heart' movie.

I know a good thing when i see it

[Schlomo4 · 10/10 · 15 September 1999]

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.

Excellent

[hthmk3 · 10/10 · 21 May 2006]

This movie is wonderful, and very well-cast. I am so pleased to have the DVD. I originally had hoped to obtain the 1940's classic, starring Donald Crisp, and still hope to, in future. However, this 1999 version is great. Jon Voight is a favorite, as is Jack Warden. The fact that it is filmed entirely on location, in Flanders, is a plus, as well. It just proves that remakes of movies are sometimes just as good, if not better than, the original. And this is the case, with A Dog of Flanders. I have been to Belgium (Brussels, and Brugge), but not Flanders. Perhaps one day, I will have that pleasure. I have never before seen a Bouvier dog, and am very impressed with that breed of dog. At the end of the movie it says that Bouviers are not for everyone-I wonder why that is? I would be anxious for an explanation of that statement. Thank you, Linda Huthmaker, Torrance, California

Very good family film

[vchimpanzee · 23 October 2008]

During a terrible winter storm, Mary is dying and must see that her baby Nello is taken care of. She leaves him with his grandfather Jehan, who is poor but loving.

Several years later, Nello is old enough to help Jehan with his milk deliveries in Antwerp. The two have little money and must strive to stay one step ahead of the evil landlord. But they are happy with their lives. It's quite unusual to see a young boy work hard and demand little without complaining. Nello considers William the Blacksmith to be a friend.

On one of his deliveries, Nello sees "a dog of Flanders" who appears to be dead. He is not, but we saw the dog being beaten by its cruel owner (for parents, I should point out the dog is not visible during the beating, but it is obvious what is going on). Nello revives the dog and takes him home.

Nello's mother was a talented artist, and Nello has inherited his mother's ability. Years later, Nello considers his neighbor Aloise Cogez not just a pretty model for his drawings, but also a potential girlfriend. Aloise's father Nicholas will not accept his daughter having anything to do with a poor boy; Nicholas grew up the poor son of a tinker but worked hard building the farm of his wife Anna into a successful business that by this time includes a mill. Anna is more willing to accept Nello but feels she must obey her husband.

The former owner of the dog recognizes the animal he abandoned and demands his return. Nello will not do it, which results in a fight that some children might find disturbing.

Artist Michel LeGrand believes Nello has the ability to become a great painter, and he teaches Nello what he needs to know. Eventually, Nello decides to enter a contest which will help him pay his mounting bills. The death of his grandfather leaves him with no family and no other means of income other than his art (although he is still able to deliver milk, supposedly).

This is a very good family film. Most of the leading performers do a good job. There is a minimum of offensive content. Most importantly, the movie teaches lessons about determination and hard work, and being happy regardless of your situation. Not that hard work always leads to rewards, but that just makes determination that much more important.

A Great Family Film about a boy struggling to become an artist.

[wedaniel · 9/10 · 29 May 2000]

This was a great film that the whole family can enjoy. It reminds us that not everyone is born with a silver spoon in their mouth even though they may possess a great talent. The story is of course dramatic and is about a boy's struggle to become an artist even when faced with obstacles of a financial and personal nature. Warner Brother's deserves a thumbs up for this fine film.

A very pleasant surprise.

[cebsi · 9/10 · 31 August 1999]

Movies that I Like are usually doomed to a very short box office run and so I hesitate to recomend this fine motion picture.I know, it could have moved a little faster but continuity and pace seem to be lost arts in the world of cinema. The small crowd of mostly senior citizens at the showing I saw all seemed pleasantly surprised by this slender effort. I do wish, however, that the director could have chosen a single dialect for the adult actors to use. The adults seemed to originate from everywhere- from Venice to Vulkan.

Refreshing and entertaining

[Handykam · 14 September 1999]

I found this movie to be extemely refreshing and entertaining. Each scene drew me more involved to the story. It was great to see the veteran actor Jack Warden even if it was a brief role. Jon Voight plays a stand out role. I thought the movie would be mainly about the dog (a beautiful Bouvier), but the story is more about the talented boy. Also, the score by composer Richard Friedman was very appropriate and pleasing to the

I loved it! We need more films like this with family values in a world gone astray!

[farrendaniels1 · 10/10 · 2 January 2017]

I cried, and embraced my family more because of it's wonderful heart and resounding spiritual message! I hope more films will be made like this by Hollywood. I missed it in the theater, but saw it finally at Christmas. I can't understand why it was originally released at the end of summer, and I saw the ads then, but this is a film that should have been seen, like us, during the Holidays season when families gather and need this kind of wholesome entertainment to enjoy, we sure did! Do yourself a favor and watch it, don't listen to the cynics who encourage the comic book junk they fuel filmmakers to make; look were the world in headed by it. Encourage others to check it out!

Boy grows up in Flanders

[Antonio-37 · 10/10 · 7 September 1999]

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.

Great movie, horrible ending!

[venus1818 · 7 March 2004]

I've just seen this movie on TV. When I saw it advertised, I thought that it would be interesting. And it was. The story of the kid all alone in the world, who is phorbidden to see his best friend and is unfairly accused of being a criminal and, above all dreams of being a great painter, accompanied by a dog was really going quite well. And when I saw that scene where the kid was watching is own funeral I thought it was going to end that way. But no! They had to put a cheesy, melodramatic ending with no sense at all. In my opinion, the movie would have been perfect if it had ended with the kid actually dying. It would make much more sense, given the evolution of the story. Like this it is a fantastic movie, with an horrible ending.

I loved this wonderful family film!

[filmmakersincllc · 10/10 · 20 March 2020]

It great to see a powerful film again with positive values and centered with love and spirituality.

I missed when it came out in the theaters (why Warner Brothers releases such an emotional and well crafted Christmas film during the summer is baffling since no one got to enjoy it back then, but it's a perfect film to discover now when it's nothing but violence and super hero's but hopefully HOLLYWOOD starts making classics like this again. A real gem with beautiful sets and visuals that must have been filmed throughout Belgium. I plan to buy it for our family DVD library so we can watch in all together again each Xmas, like, "It's a Wonderful Life," which also got lost when it came out in the theaters as well. Don't miss this one if you have a heart and care about watching a well crafted film that makes you walk away feeling real good. Five stars from me and my family for this one!

WORST EVER

[catplace88 · 5 December 2001]

I never thought I could come to such a ultimate decision about a film, but I can, without a doubt, say that THIS IS THE WORST FILM I HAVE EVER SEEN.

It is masterfully bad. One has to do a fantastic job of walking the fence just right between something being great and amusingly terrible like a Ed Wood film. This thing does neither. It stagnates in a threshold between the two and produces a lukewarm saccharin nothing. I can't even start to list the layers upon layers of reasons that this flick is a complete mess... even for children. It is done horribly. I would be interesed to see what Jack Warden, Cheryl Ladd, or John Voight actually thought of it once they screened it.