Lassie (1994 film)

Plot

The Turner family moves from the big city (Baltimore, Maryland) to the rural countryside in Tazewell County, Virginia, hoping to start a new life. The move creates problems for everyone, especially 13-year-old Matt (Tom Guiry), who feels lost and alone in his new surroundings, and still has not come to terms with his father's remarriage after his mother's death. But with the help of a stray Collie dog named Lassie that the family takes in, Matt learns to adjust to his surroundings, and his family situation, and the two form an unbreakable bond.

However, as his father's planned job falls through, Matt with help from his grandfather, helps convince the family to start up a sheep farm. While the Turners get to work, a ruthless neighbor and wealthy sheep farmer, Sam Garland, will stop at nothing to prevent them from succeeding, because it means that they will be occupying some grazing land that he's used in the past. In addition, Sam has two sons, Josh and Jim Garland who attend school with Matt. Both boys dislike Matt, but Josh's hatred mainly stems from jealousy because a fellow student April Porter, whom Josh likes, is more interested in Matt.

Eventually Sam, with the help of his sons and henchmen, steals the Turner's new sheep herd, and kidnaps Lassie. However, she manages to escape, and she and Matt manage to claim their sheep back. However Josh and Jim catch up to them, and in the ensuing scuffle Josh finds himself struggling in a raging river, heading for a huge waterfall. Matt manages to rescue him, but is unable to save himself. Lassie then rescues Matt, but ends up going over the waterfall herself, to everyone's dismay. Sam, after learning that Matt had saved his son, Josh's life, apologizes for his actions and for Lassie's demise. However, Lassie manages to survive the waterfall, and although weakened, she returns home not too long afterwards.

Cast

Filming locations

Lassie was primarily filmed in Tazewell, Virginia, although most river scenes were filmed at or near Sandstone Falls near Hinton, West Virginia.

Reception

Lassie was released to positive reviews. As of December 2013, the film holds a "fresh" rating of 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 15 reviews.

Box office

The movie debuted at No. 9 at the US box office.