Lassie (2005 film)

Plot

Sam Carraclough, a miner who struggles to earn enough money to feed his family, sells the family's collie, Lassie, to the Duke of Rudling, whose granddaughter loves the dog, leaving his young son, Joe heartbroken over the loss of his canine companion. The Duke's servant, Hynes, who scares the dog, which keeps coming back so the Carracloughs have to keep return her, and Hynes blames the boy. During the holiday season, the duke goes to his Scottish highlands, taking Lassie with them. But when Lassie escapes and goes on a 500-mile long journey to get home. During the WW1 Sam Carraclough enlists himself to support his family. During her journey, she dodges dog catchers and is taken by a circus performer (Peter Dinklage) and befriends his small dog. Later, after they are attacked by some men, which kill the small dog, an angered performer and Lassie chase the men away. Lassie then leaves and reaches home on Christmas Day and faints outside the church in which the family is in. When the mass was over, the family found Lassie nearly dead and they take her home, the veterinarian told the family that Lassie might not survive. When Hynes hears that Lassie has been found, he accompanied by police officers, go to the house and take Lassie and the family to the Duke's local estate, the duke lets the family keep Lassie by denying that it is his dog and fires Hynes. After Lassie recovers, the duke offers a job to Sam and his wife and a new house. The duke's granddaughter visits the family in their new house and sees Lassie's puppies. She and Joe play with puppies and the movie ends.

Production

This is the eleventh movie about Lassie, according to the producers. It is based on Eric Knight's 1940 novel Lassie Come-Home. Filming took place in Scotland, Ireland and on the Isle of Man.

Reception

The film earned $6,442,854 worldwide. The film-critics aggregator Rotten Tomatoes recorded 93% positive reviews from 70 critics, while the film scored of 84 out of 100 on Metacritic based on 15 reviews. A New York Times reviewer said the film "balances cruelty and tenderness, pathos and humor without ever losing sight of its youngest audience member" and also exclaimed, "This 'Lassie' exhibits a repertory of facial expressions that would put Jim Carrey to shame". Empire's Anna Smith wrote "Thanks to a relatively gritty setting and an estimable adult cast, this sentimental story is rendered bearable for adults and children alike." BBC's Neil Smith said, "The combination of everyone's favourite canine and eye-catching Irish and Isle of Man locations ensure this nostalgic shaggy-dog story sends you home with your tail wagging."