1 Come Back Yeller
This is one of those Disney classic movies that stands the test of time. Brilliant direction, casting, and sets. The sets were done by the same man that did the sets for "Shane". Along with this wonderful story of a pioneer family and its incredible dog. You get a second disc filled with extra features. You get a Pluto cartoon on the first disc that shows before the feature. The movie will appeal the most to dog lovers but has something for the whole family. Old Yeller along with being a wonderful companion risks his life three times to save family members. The fight with the bear, wild pigs, and wolf are intense and not recommmended for young children to see. Furthermore when Old Yeller gets hydrophobia what has to be done will upset the little ones. The scenery is beautiful and the set shots are excellent. The movie is in letterbox format and the restoration is perfect. I highly recommend this to anyone that wants a good family movie for all but the very young.
2 Dog was killed in a film...
I saw this as a kid and still love it, but why all the bad remarks about a dog being killed? People are shot or killed in nearly every movie you see. Its a part of life.
Thumbs up.
3 The poor Dog is killed
There, I saved you from having to watch this disgraceful movie.....disgraceful by Disney standards, anyway.
When one thinks of Disney, one thinks of Quality shows, with beautiful animation or breathtaking scenery, and shows with a message that Love and Hope can and will conquer all.
Disney has made countless films that have brought that special Disney magic into countless homes.
Even the greatest animated movie in history, Disney's "The Lion King", although showing scenes of violence and death, leaves you walking away from the TV glad that you and your family watched it.
Because you witnessed powerful depictions.
Adversity is overcome. The Bond of Love and Brotherhood triumph over all.
Then, there is "Old Yeller".
Your heart breaks as you see a Dog develop a case of rabies, and then the poor Dog is shot.
Yeah....lovely family entertainment.
This movie is "Cujo" mixed with Disney "fun" music and a few bright moments.
But not enough bright moments.
By movie's end, the sad conclusion leaves you asking yourself, "Why did I watch this movie?"
I saw this movie as a kid. Now an adult, I still ask that question and I still dont know why I watched it.
It offers the viewer nothing but heartbreak.
In my view, this should not be included as a "Disney" movie, because it is one of few Disney movies that not only lack that Disney magic, but it also lacks a motive for wasting an hour and a half watching it, only to see a Dog get sick and be killed.
Instead of this disgrace, I recommend the original 1965 Disney classic, "That Darn Cat", which will be on DVD starting in May 2005.
"That Darn Cat" is a movie with the Disney magic and it is one that will leave you walking away from your TV being glad that you watched it, unlike "Old Yeller".
4 The dog didn't die
I cried a lot reading the reviews before I even saw the movie. The dog was acting when he was supposed to have rabies. He was "handled' by Rud and Frank Weatherwax. Tommy Kirk didn't shoot him. The dog never did have rabies. The Humane Society was on hand. The fight with the bear was with a circus bear who was trained not to attack. The "fight" with the "wolf" was not with a wolf but a German Shepard. The dog and the Shepard slobbered on each other, but that was it. The blood wasn't ketchup - the dog would lick it off. No dog was injured in the production of this film. The dog's REAL NAME (no credit card!) was SPIKE. He starred in additional Disney films. In fact, Walt Disney himself showed up on the set to see that everything was fine. That wasn't Texas, either, that was Ventura, California. Tommy Kirk and the other little kids are now in their late 40s and either balding or wrinkly. Walt died before Jungle Book came out. Dorothy Maguire similarly. Fess Parker is pushing 70 with a full head of white hair.
I'm glad I saw the bonus disc before I saw the "Old Yeller" movie. It saved me a lot of tears.
5 Yet another in a long line of bad DVD's from Disney
It's almost hard to fathom a studio having so little respect for its classic movies. This "Vault Disney" release of "Old Yeller" is a perfect example.
The "Vault Disney" releases are promoted as "high end", supposedly better than the cheapy "movie-only" releases of many of Disney's live action movies.
From the initial opening credits, with the worst example I have seen of "grain" in a picture outside of a non-major-studio release, I knew this was going to be another Disney disaster. Though the grain subsided SOMEWHAT, the softness of the picture throughout was not even close to what I would expect of a classic movie release. While my widescreen television is relatively small, I'd hate to see how bad this picture would look on a large widescreen display.
In addition, the chintzy packaging for these movies is hardly up to "special edition" quality either, and the majority of the extras are nothing more than more "Disney" horn-blowing.
I will commend them for the inclusion of one of Pluto's best cartoons {"Bone Trouble"}, and for the current-day interview with Tommy Kirk {whom I would have NEVER recognized}.
However, all in all, Disney should be ashamed at the quality on such a classic film release.
6 A BOY AND HIS DOG....
I first saw this as a kid and nearly never saw another movie again. Especially one with an animal in it. For anyone who has ever bonded with an animal (especially a dog), "Old Yeller" strikes a nerve or two. The was also the first time I ever heard the phrase "It's only a movie!" after I saw "Old Yeller" because I cried so hard. This is probably one of the finest family films ever made by the Walt Disney people. It's a simple tale of a frontier boy who bonds with a stray dog (that more than proves it's loyalty) and the boy's final realization that he has to grow up. Dorothy McGuire is the steadfast mother and Tommy Kirk is the boy who must make a gut-wrenching decision that will start him on the road to maturity. I hated this movie for years but as an adult I more than see the beauty of it now and highly recommend it all round. But keep those kleenex handy because if you're like me, you'll need 'em.
7 Stop killing dogs
I can't stand it when dogs die in the movies.
I'd much rather watch people die before dogs.
I could laugh my butt off watching Meryl Streep in pain from cancer in that dumb movie with Renee Zellweger before I can stand to see a dog suffer.
Just tears your heart out.
8 Some old school filmmaking
This film was a part of my childhood and always makes me cry like a schoolgirl. There, I said it. I think anyone can appreciate this movie. It has a moral sensibility you dont find in movies these days and the pace and flow are very distinct as well. Disney flicks from this era are period pieces of a sort and they don't deliver the bang of a modern film. Even so, they resonate somehow and I heartily reccomend this one and others like Swiss Family Robinson, Hot Lead and Cold Feet, Bullwhip Griffin and a host of other Disney fare from that era. With all the new tools available to Hollywood taday you can lose the ability to enjoy films like this, so buy some and pop them in the DVD player on a rainy afternoon.
9 Interviews with Tommy Kirk and Others are Icing on the Cake!
I first saw this movie back in the 50's when I was a boy of about 10. Had previously read the novel serialized in Colliers? magazine I believe. Loved the dog and loved all the characters of the movie too. Of course I identified with Travis. Seeing Tommy Kirk in the included interviews was wonderful. It brought back memories of Tommy in other movies such as The Shaggy Dog, The Monkey's Uncle, etc. Where has he been, Hollywood?! I was struck by how intelligent and thoughtful the man is. I'm wondering why he no longer has starring roles in big budget films. Thank you for agreeing to appear on this DVD, Tommy!
10 Lost in Space
Without an upgrade to the family favorite Old Yeller on broadcast, the next best thing is to cuddle up to the security of knowing there once was the kind of enduring comfort of a boy and a dog who looked out only for him, and what child has not imagined his own special angel in the form of a dog he could actually feel, touch, and share time with. The symbolism of the dog friend, loyal and fearless, who deserves the honor of so emotional and close a friendship, a love, is beyond compare, and has helped millions of young boys appreciate the special relationship of having a personal confidant whose loyalty was without question, and beyond compare. The human qualities invested in so strong a heart, free from judgement is one of the greatest tales told that has captured the imagination and inspiration of so many boys, and girls alike. For children who need confidence to face the difficulties of life, this story is extraordinarily well suited to children who need heroes. The fact that the hero is a dog simply makes the story endearing and realistic. A wonderfully tender and important teaching tool for children to appreciate the value and extent of loyalty as it can be tested, and pass all tests.
11 A must for the family library.
To keep peace in the family, add this classic boy and his dog movie for your wife. My life is easier since I relented to add this movie to my library. I have computer time when she watches this and the Road movies.
12 REALLY HOLLERIN' OVER OLD YELLER!
Old Yeller" is the heart-wrenching family drama about two brothers, Travis (Tommy Kirk) and Arliss Coates (Kevin Corcoran) and their faithful golden retriever - Yeller. When the boys' father, Jim (Fess Parker) leaves on an expedition, mother Katie (Dorothy McGuire) becomes the head of the household. This is one of Disney's first attempts at capturing the great outdoors and vitality of the old frontier plains and it is one of their enduring live action masterpieces. Arliss is always getting into trouble - engaging wild bears and skunks and other critter in the brush, only to be saved in the nick of time by Yeller. However, when Yeller contracts rabies it is left up to Travis to do the humane thing and put his best friend out of misery. Upon its initial release the film did phenomenal box office. And there are still those who get a lump in their throats and a tear in their eye when this heartbreaking family drama and coming of age flick is mentioned in mixed company.
Unfortunately for DVD-philes, this isn't Disney's best despite being advertised as part of their new 2-disc "Vault Disney" series. In fact, visually it's not even close to what a film like "Old Yeller" truly deserves. For starters, the print used to master this DVD is very softly focused while still managing to be riddled with edge enhancement, aliasing and shimmering of fine details. There's a lot of pixelization throughout that really breaks up fine detail. Color is poorly balanced, betraying the lushness of many of the outdoor scenes, with greens, in grass and trees shifting color from brownish beige to muddy beige and then back again. Flesh tones are never natural but appear too, too orange. Fine detail is generally lost in the darker scenes. The audio has been remixed to stereo but is very, very strident and forward sounding. At times it's painful on the ears and really doesn't hold in comparison to the fidelity of the period.
Disney does gets top marks for their supplemental materials. We get documentaries, isolated scores, vintage advertising and short subjects, a gallery of stills, trailers and television spots and interviews with the surviving cast members. What more could anybody ask for? A better print of the film, sadly!
13 Another Perfect DisneyDVD
This is what DisneyDVD should be!
Not only is this classic live-action Disney film beautifully restored and brought to DVD format, the "Vault Disney Collection" format has created a modern masterpiece, combining 21st Century technology with timeless Disney storytelling.
Disc One includes the restored film, along with audio commentary from Tommy Kirk, Kevin Corcoran, Bob Weatherwax, and Fess Parker.
In particular, Disc Two is worth the full price of admission for this set. "Old Yeller: Remembering a Classic" is guaranteed to make you shed a tear. The remembrances of author Fred Gipson are priceless. In addition, Spin and Marty fans will enjoy a trip down memory lane with a return to the set location for this Mickey Mouse Club serial at the "Ranch of the Golden Oak". Included are Production Archives for the film, and the "1957 Disney Studio Album" (video scrapbook) combine for an unforgettable DVD experience.
Congratulations to those responsible for creating the "Vault Disney Collection" DVDs. Walt would be proud!
14 ... Review
I like this book because it has animals in it, and I like animals. The book was mosly about a dog that protected a boy named Travis. Old Yeller the dog fought bears and many other animals to protect Travis. My favorite character was Old Yeller and Travis because Old yeller protected Travis and Travis taught Old Yeller what he knew. My favorite part was when Old Yeller was fighting the animals and protecting Travis. You would like this book if you like animals, but mostly dogs.
15 Howling good time
The book that the story is based on by Gibson will long be remembered as a classic. Disney respected the book in their film, and made a movie that is many great things.
And their DVD treatment of the film is also the way a classic should be treated. Disney pulled out all the stops for the DVD's in their new "Vault Disney Collection" which has 4 different releases as of 1/29/03. I have always loved this movie, and you can read all the great things about the film from other reviewers and from the vhs reviews. First and most importantly it's WIDESCREEN, maybe for the first time outside if a theatre. What a difference it makes, the film is beautiful in scope to see it as it was intended. I think all DVD's should be seen in their original aspect.
And what's more is the EXTRAS!! WOW, they put it all in here.
The 2 disc set has much more than is listed here or even on the packaging. It is loaded with suprise features, but you have to hunt for them. Look for tiny arrows in unusual places.
One of the bonus features is a complete vintage episode of the Walt Disney television show from 1957, the episode called, "Best Doggone Dog in the West". It has half the episode devoted to a studio behind the scenes promotion of the film, featuring Dorothy McGuire as our narrator. The other half is an great old feature called "Arizona SHeepdog", that ran in theatres in 1955 in front of longer movies. (By the way, this episode was altered in 1961, and the Old Yeller segment was replaced with a 101 Dalmations segment.)
There are about 3 hours worth of extra material here. Several featurettes and archive galleries with studio fan cards, costume design sketches, lobby cards, invitations, film production letterhead, posters, magazine ads, screenplay, and the complete exhibitors campaign book; audio features with production photos and behind the scenes shots with the sounds of Radio Spots from the original release, two songs, a foley sound effects demonstration, and 2 interactive "Sound Studio" demonstrations. Also more production archives; included is the fan letters sent to Gibson the author; a news story from TV about the unveiling of the memorial to Old Yeller in Gibsons home town, which Disney studio participated in; a documeentary on the writer; a short video called "Dogs" ; recent interviews with cast members; My favorite, a nice featurette on the famous Golden Oak Movie Ranch owned by Disney where this film and so many others were filmed. I had always wanted to see it and my wish came true; more is the 1961 Disney Studio Album which is a photo album/video showcasing all the Disney Studio created in 1957 from Parks, to TV, to theatre; A really neat extra is the actual recording of the original kids storybook album released as merchandising, narrated by Fess Parker. There is another documentary on the making of the film;
Also included here as a real treat is the original theatrical Pluto cartoon "Bone Trouble" released with the film in 1957, so you can see it the way you did back when, or show the kids the way it used to be when you went to the movies and you saw more than commercials before the movie.
To find all of these extras is not easy, so make sure you poke around and push on every icon you can and be sure to even play the things that do not sound interesting to you since they can lead to another submenu of goodies.
I challenge anyone to watch this without getting caught up in the story, or to keep from singing the great title song.
Thank you! Thank you, whoever at Disney pushed to treat this DVD like this. The extras have caused me to rave about the Vault Disney series to everyone I know and buy extra copies for my loved ones as Christmas presents. I hope all Disney fans buy tons of these so Disney understands it is worth putting the extra work into a DVD. On the other hand I and my friends have refused to buy some of the disney discs they have rushed to the market lately with no extras and no widescreen. Are you listening Disney??
If I could give it 10 stars I would, well worth the price!
16 Added feature makes it even better................
The added feature at the end of the film about the making of Old Yeller is wonderful. Fess Parker(the father) and Tommy Kirk (Travis) talk about their experiences making the film as well as other information on the making of the film such as how the sound effects were made and how the part of Yeller was cast.
The film follows very closely Fred Gipson's book.
This refers to the 40th anniversary edition.
17 Great family movie
I hadn't watched this movie for many years, but I still remembered the basic story as I watched it again recently trying to get my 18 month old to be interested in the big yellow dog, the horses, cows and pigs. She was only vaguely interested. It is hard for this type of movie to compete with Toy Story and other modern movies that start and finish with lots of action and special effects.
But the story here, a well done coming of age story, is timeless and classic and well worth sitting down with the kids and a bucket of popcorn to watch. There are lots of things this kind of movie can bring for topics of discussion, and unless one has seen it a few times, the emotional parts should stir up at least some feelings (even for non dog lovers).
I give a strong recommendation for this movie, it is a simple and straight forward story, and what it lacks in action and effects, it makes up for in it's timelessness and powerful story line.
18 Great DVD: both the movie and the extras
Old Yeller is as wonderful and colorful here as ever, but what distinguishes this DVD for the real fans and for the new viewers alike are the extras. Older viewers who grew up with the cast in this movie as well as the Mickey Mouse Club (Tommy Kirk, Kevin "Moochie" Corcoran), Davy Crocket (Fess Parker), and other movies (Dorothy Maguire) will be thrilled to see their "friends" in outtakes and (all but Dorothy Maguire, who has passed on) reunion discussions. The making-of stuff is newly-produced and wonderfully insightful for old-time Disney fans.
Newer fans will like other features as well, including a featurette on the "Golden Oak Ranch," the Disney-owned ranch where it was filmed. It was cool to learn about all the movies (Disney and non-Disney alike) that have been filmed there, and continue to be.
They really went all-out on the DVD. I agree with all of the previous positive reviews of the film itself. It still stands up. But I just wanted to point out the wonderful extras on the DVD! Good show!
19 It ain't as sad as everybody thinks!
Yes, most of the reason this movie is popular is because of the overrated dramatic death scene at the end, when I first saw it, it wasn't sad at all to me, so buy the DVD or VHS because it's a good movie not because of Old Yeller's demise!
20 Wonderful to the very end.
I loved this movie as a child and just watched it agian with my 6 year old. It only gets better with age. Classic family values and a strong work ethic. Captivated my daughter. I suspect if we get a yellow dog it will be called Yeller.
More films need to be made by Disney like this one or they should be rereleased in the theatres to give the younger generation a sense of wonderement we all felt as a child.
21 Good Dog, Yeller!
This is the absolute classic boy-and-his-dog movie. Tommy Kirk loves his rascally dog, Yeller, who is brave and loyal to the end. It's a sad movie, but you'll want to see it again and again for the tenderness and honesty. Life in the old west was hard, and Old Yeller made it a little easier for a while. It doesn't get better than that.A must-see movie!
22 Best doggone dog in the West
Grab your pillow, your favorite stuffed animal and head into the family wagon! Wait! Come Back! Okay, the days of the Drive-in movie are all but gone. But, the folks from Disney have created a terrific alternate experience with their "Vault Disney" DVD series. Each film fully restored, commentaries and documentaries galore and a cartoon short (Pluto in BONE TROUBLE) preceding it making the evening a family event just like the Drive-in... without the fumes or the fighting with your brother.
The quaint film OLD YELLER is basically a boy and his dog story. Travis is left as man of the house when his father (Fess Parker of Coonskin cap fame) goes on a cattle run. What follows is a coming-of-age story as Travis protects his mother (Dorothy Maguire) and his young brother Arliss. All the time, he is fighting growing love for the flop-eared scoundrel, Yeller. The stray dog quickly becomes a protector and a member of the family. But, when rabies hits many animals in the area, the tension turns to tears.
Tommy Kirk does a great job as the young Travis, the first of many performances for Disney. At the time he was a teen idol, which is ironic as he is the anti-Backstreet Boy. But, in there is the movies greatest triumph. The film is a wilderness adventure without the cynicism of today's family films. Kevin Corcoran was the animal loving brother Arliss. His energetic performance is a pleasure to watch. He has dialogue like "Quit Rockin' my dog!" and his characterization was reused in several more films (Swiss Family Robinson) but never to the same success. And with Davy Crockett and Dorothy Maguire as parents, the film comes in as corny and solid. The film is filled with animal 'performances' highlighted by Yeller.
...
23 Good but Sad!
I'm a Tommy Kirk fan and I thought Old Yeller was a very good movie and I really enjoyed it for the most part but it was also a very sad movie and I remember when I was a little girl that I cried my eyes out at the end but It's still a wonderful classic.
24 Touching Disney drama - Excellent DVD release
Another of the "Vault Disney" entries, this DVD release of the classic Disney drama "Old Yeller" offers fans of the familiar story truly enjoyable extras plus the wide-screen, THX restored print of the wonderful film itself. Many DVD's claim to include bonus material, but these "Vault Disney" titles really follow through with vintage material presented in a creative, user-friendly format. The best part of this release (aside from the film itself, of course) is the widescreen presentation. I truly hope that Disney will continie to release ALL of its title in their original theatrical ratios.
Thank you to everyone involved in the first-class DVD release of this film.
25 Great Movie
I just love this movie. I first saw it when i was like 8 or 9 and i loved it. I think most kids will enjoy this one but it;s sad at the end. I still cry to this day 15 years later. Great movie gotta see it.
26 Disney's Classic Coming-of-Age Film
When pa Fess Parker has to take a long trip, he entrusts the care of ma Dorothy McGuire and little Arliss to older son Travis, played by Tommy Kirk of "Shaggy Dog" fame. Life isn't easy on a Texas farm in the 1860s and that Arliss sure is a handful for Travis. Then a stray dog comes on the scene, one that doesn't so much bark as yell, and so earns the name Old Yeller. Travis learns to love and rely on Old Yeller as the two go through many adventures together, until Yeller bravely saves the whole family at a crucial juncture. But there's one more lesson in growing up in store for Travis regarding Old Yeller before Pa's return, one that marks the turning point between boy and man. A good movie to watch with children above the age of eight.
27 My second favorite live-action film from Disney.
"Old Yeller" was Walt Disney's first boy-and-dog film, and is his best. Just about everything in this movie is perfect: the Technicolor photography, the acting, performances, and scenery. The best performance in the movie is from Tommy Kirk, as the older boy Travis. Tommy Kirk has been on The Mickey Mouse Club in the 50s', and a lot of Disney live-action films at that time, but this is his best role. For Disney lovers or first-time viewers, be prepared to cry during the scene near the end when Travis has to make a difficult decision about Old Yeller. It's one of Disney's most memorable heart-rending moments, along with Bambi's mother's death from "Bambi". "Old Yeller" is very much like "Bambi". "Bambi" is my favorite Disney animated film, and "Old Yeller" is also at the top of my favorite Disney live-action films list.
28 Great Dog movie
I saw this movie when i was about 6 or 7...when i first saw the cover i thought it would be the stupidest movie id ever see, but since it was there in my house i thought i might as well see it, and i fell in love with it, it was the most heartworming movie id ever seen, and even today i watch it and im not tired of it..its a must see movie. I read the book,and i aslo read "Savage Sam" the sequel to the book, and i know the movie exists but no matter where i look i cant find the movie, both versions are very heartworming and if u dont see it ure missing out on something great.
29 This movie was so sad
I never had a dog. But I had this movie on tape. It was so sad with the boys and the mom and that big silly dog. I wanted a dog. My mother before she died said no. But I could always pretend. in my clubhouse I would. I liked to pretend i was on the fronteir with Old Yeller, only he wasn't dead. We hunted stuff and he would lick my face. If Old Yeller wasn't dead and he was my dog the movie would be better. I guess it just happens and stuff, but did it have to be him.
30 Best cow dog movie I've ever seen.
Excellent movie about an unwanted stray yellow black mouthed curr that adopts a family and wins their hearts by saving their lives several times in 19th century Texas. I wish my cowdog worked cows like that one.
31 "...best doggone dog in the west!" Classic of Classics!
A boy, a dog, the old west... AND Fess Parker! This movie simply could NOT have failed! If someone out there still hasn't seen it, I envy their opportunity! Fred Gipson's book was filmed faithfully by Disney (you can't say THAT very often! ) in fantastic Technicolor and the dog actor was GREAT-- one of the all-time best canine performances!
Sure, we all know it's a bummer, but it's also the best, most character-defining bummer on film!
It just can't be recommended highly enough! AL
32 Great Movie - Family oriented
A great family movie. Teaches a lot about life and the trials youth must face. The dog does die (from rabies contracted from a wolf, not his owners!), yet that is a fact of life. We live in an 'instant' society where the current generation seems to actually believe that the events programmed into video games - like getting more chances if you mess up - are real. They are not! Old Yeller shows that life is tough, but it is worth living.
33 Old Yeller
i have read the book Old Yeller about a million times. So I had to see the moive. But the moive was way differnt then the book. But it still has the same plot. You know a stary dog finds his way to the Coats farm and Little Arilss won`t give him up so they end up keeping him.
34 This is the best movie I ever watched.
I recomend this movie for everyone
35 the dog croaks
I was sorely disappointed that the director killed the dog. I mean how many dogs back then contracted rabies from their owners?
