Man, this is a sad film! I first saw this on HBO in 1980 and I enjoyed it, but I did not like the ending. Dot crying over her lost friend is just heartbreaking! I wondered recently if the book could be this sad too?
Being curious, I decided to track down the original source novel by Ethel Pedley. I read it and was surprised at how good it was and close to the movie and how different too!
Warning! Spoilers follow! Do not read if you don't want to know what happens! Well, after the same adventures as in the movie (except for the part about the hideous monster, the bunyip), Dot and her kangaroo friend make it to her home.
Her father is about to shoot the kangaroo, but Dot intervenes. They all become friends when Dot explains how the kangaroo saved her life. However, the best part of the book is when the kangaroo FINDS her lost joey! This is the only case where I have seen the book have an upbeat ending, whereas the movie does not. The only problem I had with the book was that it was dated.
I mean really dated with its' views on race! It was published in 1899, so there were some unfortunate racial stereotypes mentioned when they meet the aborigines. Still, this is very interesting historical fiction! My recommendation is to see the movie first. Then, read the book. Keep in mind the publication date!
That's my rant! Bodger1.
Being curious, I decided to track down the original source novel by Ethel Pedley. I read it and was surprised at how good it was and close to the movie and how different too!
Warning! Spoilers follow! Do not read if you don't want to know what happens! Well, after the same adventures as in the movie (except for the part about the hideous monster, the bunyip), Dot and her kangaroo friend make it to her home.
Her father is about to shoot the kangaroo, but Dot intervenes. They all become friends when Dot explains how the kangaroo saved her life. However, the best part of the book is when the kangaroo FINDS her lost joey! This is the only case where I have seen the book have an upbeat ending, whereas the movie does not. The only problem I had with the book was that it was dated.
I mean really dated with its' views on race! It was published in 1899, so there were some unfortunate racial stereotypes mentioned when they meet the aborigines. Still, this is very interesting historical fiction! My recommendation is to see the movie first. Then, read the book. Keep in mind the publication date!
That's my rant! Bodger1.