A Boy And His Dog

Rating:
Summary: Wow, someone had a lot of fun making this.
Review: Mid-70s post-nuclear apocalypse movies are not a genre I generally enjoy. "A Boy and His Dog" (one of the first of the type) is the exception that proves the rule.

The shattered world above is not the interesting part of this film, and it moves slowly for the first hour while we're in it. What keeps us watching is the great dialogue and interaction between Vic (Doh Johnson) and his dog, Blood. Vic and Blood can talk to each other, and the dog is rather smarter than Vic. Once we go "downbelow," into the survivalist enclave called "Topeka."

One reason I didn't give this film 5 stars was the slowness at the start; the other reason was the poor quality of the DVD transfer. If ever a movie cried out for remastering, this is it: it really does look like they just transferred it from VHS. There is a commentary track with film critic Charles Chaplin, director L.Q. Jones (this was his last film directing), and John cinematographer Morrill. It makes for interesting listening.

If you like this genre, this is an essential film to add to your library. If you're not as fond of apocalypse movies, call this one a rental.

Rating:
Summary: You could like this film if you haven't read Ellison's story
Review: This 1975 film takes only the bare bones from Harlan Ellison's novella, forgoing its final proof of how much a boy can love his dog. What is left is Don Johnson as Vic, the young post-apocalyptic loner and his telepathic dog Blood (Yes, that is Benji, boys and girl), who eventually meets a girl from an underground community where Jason Robards and the folks are clinging really hard to the old ways. If you have not read Ellison's original story you can probably suffer through this film, provided you have plenty of stuff to eat and drink. It was certainly remind you of the old days, when low budget meant the film was probably made by a schlockmaster and not and independent auteur. But if you know what the answer was to Quilla June's question, "Do you know what love is," this disappointing film will ring hollow.

Tim McIntire, who did the voice of "Blood" also had the honors of singing the main title song, "A Boy And His Dog." This movie, also known as Psycho Boy and His Killer Dog, was directed by L. Q. Jones, who appears as an actor in the porno film Vic and Blood are watching. Except for some work on the television series "The Incredible Hulk," Jones never directed again after this one.

Rating:
Summary: Nothing Is More Important to a Boy than His Dog
Review: It's the year 2024, and most of the Earth's nations have been demolished by yet another world war (the latest being WWIV). In this postapocalyptic world, slow-witted survivor Vic (Don Johnson) forages through the ruins for food and women with the help of his faithful dog, Blood (voiced by Tim McIntire), with whom he is able to communicate telepathically. Blood, more intelligent and more cultured than his young "master," often gets impatient with Vic's immature behavior and lack of interest in his attempts to educate the boy, but he nonetheless loves Vic and sticks with him to help him survive. And after several minor adventures and one huge misadventure, Vic does learn one incontestable actuality: Nothing is more important to a boy than his dog.

Based on an award-winning novella by the curmudgeonly SF writer Harlan Ellison, A BOY AND HIS DOG was adapted and directed by character actor L.Q. Jones and co-produced by Jones and Alvy Moore (the latter probably best known for his portrayal of scatterbrained Hank Kimball on TV's GREEN ACRES). While Ellison has said many times publicly that the film is the most faithful adaptation of any of his works, he has nonetheless complained vehemently about some of Jones' "adjustments"--most notably the minor addition of some gross or vulgar dialogue--and tried unsuccessfully to get them changed. Whether or not Ellison's complaints have merit, A BOY AND HIS DOG has come to be regarded as a science-fiction classic, its popularity undoubtedly due to its likeable characters who, despite their constant bickering and individual quirks, are redeemed by their committed friendship and their sarcastically humorous approach to survival.

The performances in A BOY AND HIS DOG are top-notch. Johnson convincingly portrays Vic as a filthy scavenger who, in spite of his dire situation, still manages to remain a decent human being at the core. Tim McIntire's vocal characterization of Blood embodies Ellison's original concept of a mutant pooch with a caustic ego that is balanced with just the right amount of off-beat humanity, and this portrayal is enhanced further by the outstanding on-screen performance of Tiger, the canine thespian that portrayed the family pet on TV's THE BRADY BUNCH. In his supporting role as the governor of a subterranean dystopia, Jason Robards is delightfully smarmy. And when beautiful Susanne Benton bares her ample "talents" on the screen, that's a lot of fun watch, too.

With A BOY AND HIS DOG, Jones' intention is not to make deep socio-political innuendos or to meet the average action-fan's prosaic expectations, and sentimentality is obviously far from his mind. Instead of serving up a dull postapocalyptic survival-of-the-fittest thriller or a cliché love-among-the-ruins drama, Jones gives us a wry black comedy that doesn't take itself too seriously. His direction is tight, his staging often inventive, and the dialogue--while MOSTLY lifted directly from Ellison's story--is often sharply sardonic and frequently witty. With this AND the outstanding performances he elicits from his cast, Jones creates a realistic world of future desolation, but he peoples it with central characters that learn to deal with the nightmare while still maintaining their humanity...and a sense of humor.

Several DVD editions of A BOY AND HIS DOG have been available over the past few years, and all have delivered good letterbox widescreen digital transfers. The current offering from First Run Features is an anamorphic widescreen version, and it also contains an interesting feature commentary and theatrical trailers.

All in all, A BOY AND HIS DOG is a wonderful interpretation of a classic SF novella, and this DVD will make a great entry in the film collections of SF fans who love quirky non-mainstream films.

Rating:
Summary: One of the more interesting SF movies around
Review: A cult favorite for years, this faithful version of Harlan Ellison's classic novella enjoyed some mainstream popularity in the mid-'80s when its star, Don Johnson, hit the big time with "Miami Vice." In recent years the movie has settled back into cult status, which is for the best. Johnson (in an excellent performance) is Vic, a simple-minded survivalist who wanders what's left of post-apocalypse America with his dog Blood (played by Tiger of "The Brady Bunch," with voice by singer Tim McIntire), with whom he has a telepathic bond. Vic's main ambition in life is to, well, find female companionship; he demands that Blood sniff out girls for him. He meets a seemingly innocent young woman who leads him down to a strange subterranean civilization where all the men are sterile. Eventually, Vic is presented with a hard choice. The decision he makes has remained controversial; the one-liner that ends the film is even more so. (Ellison didn't write the line and has expressed discomfort with it. I think it's one of the great final lines in movie history.) If you haven't seen this film, chances are you've seen a dozen better-known SF movies it influenced (like the "Mad Max" series), and Kevin Costner's "The Postman" was a windbag '90s variation on the same theme. If you've only caught this on television, you haven't really seen it.

Rating:
Summary: Wow, someone had a lot of fun making this.
Review: Mid-70s post-nuclear apocalypse movies are not a genre I generally enjoy. "A Boy and His Dog" (one of the first of the type) is the exception that proves the rule.

The shattered world above is not the interesting part of this film, and it moves slowly for the first hour while we're in it. What keeps us watching is the great dialogue and interaction between Vic (Doh Johnson) and his dog, Blood. Vic and Blood can talk to each other, and the dog is rather smarter than Vic. Once we go "downbelow," into the survivalist enclave called "Topeka."

One reason I didn't give this film 5 stars was the slowness at the start; the other reason was the poor quality of the DVD transfer. If ever a movie cried out for remastering, this is it: it really does look like they just transferred it from VHS. There is a commentary track with film critic Charles Chaplin, director L.Q. Jones (this was his last film directing), and John cinematographer Morrill. It makes for interesting listening.

If you like this genre, this is an essential film to add to your library. If you're not as fond of apocalypse movies, call this one a rental.

Rating:
Summary: Post-Apocalyptic Classic
Review: Though not precisely true to the Harlan Ellison story, the film A Boy and His Dog does capture the spirit of the science fiction classic. A very young Don Johnson plays the part of the Boy. Fans of Mad Max, The Postman, and A Canticle for Liebowitz will enjoy this cult classic.

Rating:
Summary: Harlan likes it.
Review: It may not be a perfect adaptation (actually, only the robotic "Michael," the strange pumping machine, and the last line of the film are major differences), but it fares much better than I thought it might when I first had a look. It is low-budget, but the interplay between man and beast, as well as some surprisingly good acting, make up for the lack of funds. It could have been very bad. I've noticed in my screenings of this film for friends, that women tend to dislike the film very much. This could have a lot to do with the ending, which despite what a previous reviewer has said, is quite unambiguous and easy to understand (my 61-year-old mother got it, and actually liked the film). The ending, which is a bit shocking at first, simply fails to fully evoke Ellison's original, more subtle approach.

Harlan Ellison, a man not easily pleased by adaptations (especially of this story, arguably his most personal--at least at the time), has said he really likes this film, but the last line bugs the heck out of him. For those of you who haven't read the story, you should know that Vic never took a bite at the end. He did what he had to do for Blood, but couldn't bring himself to eat. A boy loves his dog.

Rating:
Summary: A boy and his somewhat advanced sentient being
Review: This pre-"Mad Max" low budget sci-fi, based on a novella by Harlan Ellison, has gathered quite a devoted cult following over the years, in addition to spawning a (by now overworked) movie subgenre. A youthful Don Johnson wanders a post-nuclear outback, chock-a-block with the requisite mutants and ruffians, ever on the prowl for food and sex. Oh, did I mention "the dog"? The voice-over work by actor Tim McIntire, ostensibly "as the dog", steals the movie at every turn and undoubtedly cemented the film's cult status (it certainly wasn't Johnson's rather workmanlike performance). By turns annoyingly amateurish and brilliantly inspired, the film ultimately generates a certain kinky charm-in a guilty pleasure, pre-P.C. era kind of a way (Johnson's glorified serial rapist undoubtedly earns the film few feminist admirers). It's a "love it or hate it" scenario, and those already devoted will not be swayed. DVD notes (2003 reissue edition): The (widescreen) transfer itself is decent; unfortunately the print it was taken from is, shall we say, "less than pristeen". The audio is mono and still quite tinny, but a bit improved over previous VHS versions and cable airings. The commentary by director LQ Jones (sporting a "good 'ol boy" Hoytt Axton sort of charm) is as quirky as his film.

Rating:
Summary: Looking forward to it
Review: At the time of my writing this review, the new DVD has not been released. Hopefully it will address some of the quality concerns from earlier releases. I remember "A Boy and his Dog" being a thoroughly enjoyable film and would love to have a quality copy on DVD. More intellectual than a lot of other "Post-apocalyptic" films. Don't expect action-packed "Mad Max"-type stuff. This is more of a thinker's film, a fresh, clever story, lined with dry, dark humor. I reccomend it.

Rating:
Summary: Women are beautiful but never forget who your best friend is
Review: This movie is very well done despite the low budget, it has a good script, supurb acting, good direction, and a sick and twisted suprise ending that is one of the best in movie history. Obvioulsy women do not like the ending, (maybe because they know deep down the main character made the smart choice?) but let us remember who that female character was and what she did. She was a manipulative liar who was just out to use Don Johnson's character for her own purposes. She was out for herself and he could not trust her. Still the ending was really, really sick but then again so was the whole movie. Dark humor and piercing insight combine to create a dystopian underground world that reveals the true character of the American government in the future, in the past, and in the present. One revewier characterized this sophistacted and clever satire of American culture, politics, and self image as a "naive leftest world view." Sorry pal, you are the one who is naive, rather you like it or not this moive exposed our government for what it is, a tyranny run by fascist bullies. Not that any other government on this planet is really any different, some are just worse than others. This movie gives its main character two choices, life in a desert wasteland surrounded by roaming tribes of savages, or life underground enslaved by the rements of the old regime who enforce their will through androids. The Telepathic dog is by far the best character in the movie and has the best lines, vainly trying to give Don Johnson's character history lessons. This movie paints an exagerated but bascially accurate potrait of the world we live in, people are either dominated by fascist regimes that exploit their citizens, or live in wild, chaotic, untamed areas where different tribes or groups steal from and kill each other. Either slavery or an extreemly dangerous freedom are the choices the chacters in this movie are presented with, and it is that really so different from the world we live in? We are either corporate slaves or outlaws, one or the other. Some people might call these a simplistic world view but they would be wrong and I would be right. In this movie Don Johnson can trust no one but his dog, is that so different from real life? This movie is clever and disturbing, thought provoking and interesting. The first of its genre.