1 MAN'S BEST FRIEND
GREYFRIARS BOBBY is classic 60s Disney. We meet an old shepherd who for years has cared for a wee skye terrier named Bobby. When the shepherd's employer says he can no longer afford his services, Old Jock returns to Edinburgh, and leaves Bobby for the master's little girl to keep. However, Bobby has other plans and runs away to join his master. Old Jock contracts pneumonia, and dies, leaving Bobby to fend for himself.
Of course, Bobby is loyal to his master and sleeps on his grave, frustrating the crusty old clerkyard keeper. Bobby is also cared for by the kindly and lonely tavern owner. Eventually who owns Bobby comes to a courtroom showdown, and a wonderful climax.
Laurence Naismith, one of England's finest character actors, steals the show as Mr. Trail, the innkeeper who wants to keep Bobby; Donald Crisp is fine as Mr. Brown, the groundskeeper, and Vincent Winter, one of Disney's favorite child actors, shines as little crippled Tommy, and the remaining supporting cast is splendid.
A leisurely paced family drama, demonstrates why Disney's films were such winners.
2 Wonderful film...too bad it's in fullscreen
I feel tricked and used.
After waiting decades to enjoy this film the way I saw it in the movie theater as a child, what does Disney do? They glibly release the DVD in fullscreen format, even going so far as to list one of the "Special Features" on the jacket as "Fullscreen (1.33:1)". The "breathtaking Scottish countryside" mentioned on the box is nearly obscured in the film due to the cropping on all sides.
While the image and sound quality are superior to the VHS version, poor Bobby would cry at this fullscreen treatment by Eisner and his cronies. It's possible that this film was done in fullscreen like Darby O'Gill, but a dislaimer in the box like was done in Darby would be nice.
3 among disney's best animal films
Originally released in 1961, Greyfriars Bobby is a very tender and beautifull film. It really is right up there with old yeller, and other disney classics. Set in Scotland, the sets are lavish, the production values strong. Performances by Donald Crisp and Laurence Naismith are involving. I saw it recently for the first time in 30 years, since it was broadcast on the disneyland tv show many years ago. I was as equally captivated by it as I was when I was a boy. It isnt overly sentimental as some may think, but it is quite touching. A real classic.
4 among disney's best animal films
Originally released in 1961, Greyfriars Bobby is a very tender and beautifull film. It really is right up there with old yeller, and other disney classics. Set in Scotland, the sets are lavish, the production values strong. Performances by Donald Crisp and Laurence Naismith are involving. I saw it recently for the first time in 30 years, since it was broadcast on the disneyland tv show many years ago. I was as equally captivated by it as I was when I was a boy. It isnt overly sentimental as some may think, but it is quite touching. A real classic.
5 Great movie
I watched this movie as a child and thought it was one of the sweetest Disney ever made. The tale of a little dog who comes to his master's grave no matter who tries to stop him. In the end the whole village of Greyfriar loves him and adopts him as their own. I loved watching the battle of wills between the restaurant owner and the graveyard caretaker who each thought the "wee dog" should be his. But Bobby belonged only to his dead master in the graveyard. After Bobby died he was buried in the graveyard alongside his master, a rare honor for a little dog.
The only reason I gave the video 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the mono soundtrack. I stronly prefer stereo and would really like to see this movie released on DVD or even VCD.
6 Loyalty and the Transformng Power of Love
Greyfriars Bobby is one of the finest children's movies of all time. Based on a true story, it is a deep-feeling, understated exploration of how a "pound-hound" transformed an entire city. In detail it shows the the mutual transformation of a lonely, impoverished older man and the stray dog who befriends him. They become a fixture in their Scottish neighborhood -- the dog greeting schoolchildren, etc. -- until the old man's death. Scruffy-looking Bobby develops a routine of staying on his dead master's grave each day, still taking the time to greet the kids on their way to and from school. Upon the old dog's death, the people of Greyfriar's built a statue to Bobby, by his master's grave: a testament to loyalty and love. A several handkerchief movie but very uplifting, for adults and kids alike.
7 TENDER, SIMPLE AND ENDEARING
THIS TALE OF A FAITHFUL DOG AND IT'S SHEPHERD MASTER IS ONE THAT HAS BEEN BEAUTIFULLY HANDLED BY DISNEY. IT BRINGS TEARS AND LAUGHTER BUT MOST OF ALL IT SHOWS HOW THE SIMPLE LOVE OF A FAITHFUL ANIMAL CAN BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER, EVEN IN THE MOST DIFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES. ENJOY, THEY DON'T MAKE THEM LIKE THIS ANYMORE
8 Disney At Its Best, With The Master's Touch
I first saw this movie as a child in the early sixties and never forgot it, even though I never saw it again. I came across it again shopping here and ordered it.
What a beautiful, and beautifully made movie! The video quality for VHS was great. This was one of those Disney movies made during their 'golden age' when Mr. Disney was still alive and running his company. It shows. The quality of production, the sets, the luminous quality of the filming, all speak of an integrity and sincerity that are so sadly missing from Eisner's Disney today. I showed this movie to a young child who was unaware that Disney ever made anything this well! She was thinking of the newer, much cheaper movies cranked out by Disney today.
As with many of Walt Disney's old movies, this is a film that can be viewed with pleasure by everyone. I didn't find it corny at all. Of course, this movie was set in the 'olden times' so we wouldn't expect to see modern clothing, etc. anyway. This movie is from a time when adults could watch Disney films right along with the children.
A beautiful, true story, and a treat for any movie fan.
9 Forget me not
This film has to rate among the classic's of tear-jerkers,even the hardest heart would summit to this movie, The story of a dog's love for his master, even in grief he was there at the end and there is a message for us all there, but the whole film was so real and Donald Crisp played the perfect part, but like it was in real life this movie hit home the value of real love never has the tears flowed over a movie like this, children and adults will love this, It has everything a policeman as hard as nails, the children and adults who were motionless at Bobby's devotion and courage to defy all,and to show his love even in death.
10 Beautiful
"Greyfriars Bobby" is undoubtedly the greatest love story of all time, proving once and for all that true love can last for all eternity - beyond this life and into the next. What makes this story all the more remarkable is the fact that it's true, and the central character is a dog that slept every night without fail on the grave of his master for fourteen years! Such devotion should bring tears to the eyes of even the most hard hearted viewers, and it is convincing proof that dogs possess souls, and they also possess the greatest ability of all - the ability to love unconditionally.
11 True Love
Here's a real life story, told with love and compassion. If you love animals, you'll love this movie! Both children and adults will laugh and cry at this movie. The scenery is great, and the acting is great. The phrase, Man's Best Friend, must have been coined with "Bobby" in mind!
12 Loved the Edinburgh scenery!
Having been to Edinburgh and actually seen the Greyfriar's Kirk and read about Bobby with my sister, it was wonderful to see a movie. Enjoyable movie, very touching. Glad I finally got it.
13 An execllent, real life, movie that the family can watch
I have been to Edinburgh Scotland, the scenes in the film can be easily seen today. The streets and castle are still the same. The story of Bobby is alive and well, if you take a bus tour of the city, the driver will point out the grave and monument of Bobby and his master. This is a good movie for all ages.
