Where the Red Fern Grows

Starring:James Whitmore, Beverly Garland, Jack Ging, Lonny Chapman, Stewart Petersen, Bill Dunbar, Jill Clark (III), Jeanna Wilson, Rex Corley, John Lindsey, Roger Pancake, Robert S. Telford, Charles Seat, Marshall Edwards, Bill Thurman, Garland McKinney
Director: Norman Tokar
Studio: Sterling Ent
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Based on Wilson Rawls's 1961 novel of the same name, Where the Red Fern Grows is the touching story of a 12-year-old, Ozark mountain boy (Joseph Ashton) who wants a dog so badly he performs odd jobs for months and saves enough to get two hunting hounds. Just as he hoped, the dogs usher in a period of golden adventure and happiness. Moreover, the pets prove profitable at awards shows and courageous while fending off danger from wild animals. No story about a farm boy and his best four-legged pals is complete, however, without sacrifice and ensuing wisdom; Where the Red Fern Grows has plenty of both. This 2003 feature is co-directed by the original 1974 film's producer and screenwriter, Lyman Dayton, and while it is both efficient and emotionally effective, one might have expected this second go-round to be a bit more deeply felt. Supporting performances by Dabney Coleman and Kris Kristofferson are commendable, while Dave Matthews (yes, that Dave Matthews) has a sweet presence as the hero's kind father. --Tom Keogh

Description

"The Roots of a Classic" - Explore the story's journey from book to film through interviews with the author's wife and filmmakers. "Lights, Camera, Animals" - See how the film's animal stars were "discovered" and trained for their roles.

Customer Reviews:

Not nearly as good as the book.......2007-02-28

This book lacks so much in emotion and drama. Whereas I cried my eyes out in the book (every time I read it), I didn't even come close in the movie. They left out so many important things. I HATE how they changed the hunt. That was one of the best parts of the novel. I got this to show to my fifth grade class. They agree the book was so much better!

Where The Red Fern Grows.......2006-08-26

Billy Coleman's dream is to have 'coon hounds, but his family is too poor to buy them for him, so he works hard to earn the money himself, and in so doing finds out what his Grandpa meant by "meeting God halfway". Old Dan and Little Anne are two Red Bone coonhounds, the incarnation of his childhood dream . . . and, as it turns out, the answere to his mother's prayers that God would take their family to a place where her childred could go to school, and to church, and build themselves a future. Billy is a good kid, and this movie is something the whole family can watch together and enjoy. To families with small children, I would reccomend this new version by Walt Disney over the older version. There is a sad part where a boy named Rubin falls on a hunting axe and dies, and another part where a Puma fights with Old Dan and injures him. In this newer version, these parts are soft-soaped, whereas in the older version, they can really freak you out. To adults and older children, I would reccomend the older version. The story just draws you in in a way this new one doesn't. The charactors have more depth, and the acting is convincing in such a way as to make you forget it IS acting. How interesting that even some of the kids who reviewed this movie seemed to notice the false note, and the dependancy on hill-billy music to achieve a feeling of authenticity . . . This younger generation is nobody's fool.

It was pretty good........2006-08-22

When I watched this movie,I cannot say I was moved.The lines were basically like the older one.But alot of mood and things were diffrent.I did not sense a strong bond between Billy Coleman and his coon dogs as I did in the older one.But in some other ways it was better.It was more family orientated and the acting and lines was performed well.

where the red fern grows!!!!!!.......2006-08-10

Stuart Dickison did such an amazing job as Rubin Pritchard.He was in great shape and he was a very very good actor. And he had tons of expression. I just want to let Stuart Dickison know that im proud of him. In the book they desribed Rubin as "mean,dirty,cruel" but in the movie Rubin was a sweetheart:) He's my favourite character in the movie! It was so sad when he fell on the ax, his funeral music was so sad:( Stuart you did such a great job, im proud of you, to me your the star actor:)

Your number one fan
Laken:)

P.S It's for my pa all right:)

Where the Red Fern Grows was annoying.......2006-02-22

Where the Red Fern Grows Review By Amelia Solano, period 6

Movies that are based on books usually have to leave out or change scenes or characters. For the readers of the book leaving out the smallest character, or changing the way somebody dresses could make them leave the theatre very annoyed. Where the Red fern Grows, being a novel based movie, had many scenes and characters left out. The movie itself was good, but it was not true to the book.

Where the Red Fern Grows did have take out and change many characters for the movie to be a reasonable length. Sammy the cat was not included but that is understandable, for he did not have a very important role in the book. The one thing that annoyed me and many other readers most was the change in the dogs. Old Dan and Little Ann, Billy's dogs, were to have shared a special bond with Billy and have distinctive personalities. Old Dan being aggressive and Little Ann being clever were some traits that I did not see in his movie. The two dogs wouldn't hunt with any other person but Billy, and there was a very strong connection between him and his dogs. I do not feel that the dogs in this movie really cared for Billy and they were just ordinary dogs that knew how to kill raccoons.

In every book there are a few scenes that are added to give a certain effect, or exaggerate a characters feeling. Naturally, directors leave these scenes out to make that movie enjoyable rather that boring. Directors might change scenes too to help with the story line. But the change in his movie did not really help the story line at all. At the end of the big coon-hunting tournament Billy is supposed to win first prize. In this movie somebody else wins, but gives Billy the trophy and the prize money. Billy was supposed to have won but the directors probably left it out because it would be too obvious. To me that is not a strong enough reason.

I know that movies have to change the story a little but this movie changed it a little too much for my liking. If you are considering watching this movie please rent it, for you shouldn't waste your money on a movie you will see once and then forget about.

Average customer rating:

Where the red fern grows
Great Family Movie
Good Movie about friendship
loved it!
Never grows old

Where the Red Fern Grows
Starring: James Whitmore , Beverly Garland , Jack Ging , Lonny Chapman , and Stewart Petersen
Director: Norman Tokar
Manufacturer: Sterling Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 6301394704
Release Date: 1997-10-14

Amazon.com

Wilson Rawls's novel about an Oklahoma boy's devotion to two hunting dogs during the Great Depression was the basis for this appealing 1974 film made by a former Disney director, Norman Tokar. Stewart Peterson is very effective as a 12-year-old, hurtling down the path toward manhood with hounds at his side. (Though how he raised $50 to get the pooches in that economic climate is still a mystery....) --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Where the red fern grows.......2007-02-08

This book is all about the two dogs that this boy has raised.He has also dreamed day and night. This book has my two favorite things dogs and hunting.This book is all about how a boy has love and joy all in one setting. There are weird things and surprising things.

Great Family Movie.......2006-07-03

"Where the Red Fern Grows" is as good as I remember from my youth. Great for the whole family, it brings out a range of emotions.

Good Movie about friendship.......2006-03-17

I bought this for my granddaughter who had read the book with her class at school. She wanted the movie to share with the class. She likes to read books and then see the movie if available. It seems to help in seeing the characters and the story line. All of the family has viewed this movie and we all love to watch it every chance we get. I highly recommend this movie for all families.

loved it!.......2006-03-15

i just love this show..i guess one reason i really liked this show parts of it was filmed in vian oklahoma.. and i was raised around that area...My 3 yr old even enjoys watching this..

Never grows old.......2006-03-09

I recently purchased this movie for my granddaughter for her 12th Birthday upon request from her. She owns "hunting dogs" and loves to hunt. She loves this movie proving that it never outdates itself! She watches it over and over agin.

Average customer rating:

Poor excuse of a video
Good movie
Bad storyline, worse acting
Where the red fern grows part 2
The Best Movie Ever!

Where The Red Fern Grows Part 2
Starring: Doug McKeon , Wilford Brimley , Chad McQueen , Lisa Whelchel , and Adam Faraizl
Director: Jim McCullough Sr.
Manufacturer: Bridgestone Group Inc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Amazon.com

When Billy (Doug McKeon) returns home from World War II, he's embittered about the medical treatment that led to having part of his leg amputated after he was wounded in the Iwo Jima assault. His grandfather (Wilford Brimley), anticipating Billy's difficult transition back to civilian life, has bought a couple of redbone hound puppies for the young man--the same dogs he had as a boy, a story told in Where the Red Fern Grows. Billy resists at first but slowly bonds with the dogs, and when a young neighbor boy wants to learn how to hunt raccoons, Billy takes the boy under his wing. Meanwhile, Billy's closest friend and war buddy finds himself wooing Billy's sister Sarah, to Billy's discomfort. Where the Red Fern Grows II (or Part 2, as it's called in the credits) is a fairly straightforward and sentimental tale, but it keeps saccharine at bay by sticking with its characters and treating their lives with respect. Toward the end, when Billy and his grandpa go on a final raccoon hunt together, the movie may try a little too hard to recapture the sadness of the first film, but family audiences will appreciate its unpretentious and genuine tale of life lessons and small-town values. Dog fans in particular will enjoy the extensive montage of the dogs growing up and learning to hunt. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

Poor excuse of a video.......2007-01-05

I am a HUGE Wilson Rawls fan. There was no attempt to make a quality video here. The cuts throughout the video were grade-school at the least. If someone would have just taken the time to edit and make sure the sound was right, this would have been a pretty good video. Mr. Rawls is howling from his grave!

Good movie.......2006-03-17

I bought this movie for my granddaughter who had read the book with her class at school. We bought the first movie and she wanted to see the second one as well. This movie takes up a few years after the first ends. The boy is now an adult and is coming back from war with only one of his legs. He has some issues with God and why things are happening to him. It tells a good story about human beings and how friendships can help anyone. I highly recommend both movies to all families.

Bad storyline, worse acting.......2005-12-23

The storyline was weak, the acting was worse.

I hadn't seen part 1 since I was a kid, I ordered both the original and part 2. We watched the original Sunday and my wife an I enjoyed it. We watched Part 2 on Wednesday, and both were rolling our eyes throughout.
The actor portraying Billy did a poor job. It is obvious that he is not a dog person, or was over acting.

The story line left a lot of holes, kind of like reading the back cover of a book instead of reading the book. Not many exciting moments throughout.

Overall the acting was overdone and no character really captured you attention.

Overall it was a feeble attempt to capture the basics of the first movie that clearly missed the mark.

Where the red fern grows part 2.......2004-12-25

The movie did not live up to the 1st movie that came out and was rather dull. They seemed to have tried to hard.

The Best Movie Ever!.......2003-08-18

This is way better than "Where the Red Fern Grows" although slightly less risque than "Where the Red Fern Grows: Tom's third adventure". Although no man named Boris should be allowed to direct a movie about a pup named Skippy, it is still a fine piece of cinemetography. My favorite part is Wilford Brimley's duet with the dog, when they sing a touching rendition of "Together". Remember that old hit, gang? "Wherever we go- Whatever we do- We're gonna go through it together! Ruff ruff! Through thick and through thin- All out and all in- We're gonna go through it together! Meow!" "Hey! Get that lousy cat otta here!"

Average customer rating:

Loved it.....
BORING!!!!!!!!!
Disappointing
A man's Movie about a Boy and his Dog

Where the Red Fern Grows
Starring: James Whitmore , Beverly Garland , Jack Ging , Lonny Chapman , and Stewart Petersen
Director: Norman Tokar , and Jim McCullough Sr.
Manufacturer: Sterling Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Customer Reviews:

Loved it............2004-09-05

I saw this movie as a child -- I still love it as an adult! Granted, it's not the same as the book, but it's a great movie about love, responsibility and growing up. A true classic.

BORING!!!!!!!!!.......2004-06-19

Okay, what IS with all these dogs dieing? And if the mother is supposedly indian then WHY does she have blond hair? The dogs are cute,and the second movie is a slight improvement but other then that...

Disappointing.......2004-02-09

As an animal lover and a fan of such great tear jerker films such as The Yearling, Black Beauty and Old Yeller, I was sadly disappointed in this film. I found the actors were not that charismatic. Their clothing, hairstyles, and the sets appeared to be very 1970's(supposed to be depression era),and damn if that wasn't my 1964 Schwinn bike one of the kids in town was riding! When I finally turned it off, the kid was cutting down a beautiful old tree just so he could kill the 'coon that was hiding in it. Sorry, guys, but even the voice of Andy Williams singing original songs by the Osmonds couldn't do much for this cheesy redneck flick! Two stars for the cute puppies.

A man's Movie about a Boy and his Dog.......2002-01-01

A straight transfer to DVD from video but a very good cut. Where the Red Fern grows takes place in the Depression Era Oklahoma. The kid is absoultely dying to own a set of hunting dogs. He works his put off to earn the [amt] dollars that these 2 red tick hounds, Old Dan and Little Ann and then they become the top coon dogs in that part of the state. While I won't spoil the ending I will say as a dog owner I cry every time I watch with the love that those dogs show for there master and friend. A must have DVD for any dog lover.

Average customer rating:

Almost as good as the book
This is the best!

Where the Red Fern Grows

Manufacturer: Bridgestone Group Inc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Customer Reviews:

Almost as good as the book.......2004-12-29

I am a big fan of Wilson Rawls' book from which this movie is adapted. If you read the book and are hoping to get the same experience from the movie, I think you'll be a little disappointed. But isn't that always the case? The movie omits a few things from the book and even changes parts of the story. It is only distracting if you are familiar with the book.

If you just want to enjoy a really great family film and love stories about dogs, then this DVD is for you. You will cry at the end of the movie, unless of course you are a heartless [...]. The cinematography is first-rate. Dave Matthews' performance was surprisingly great. Dabney Coleman does an excellent job playing Grandpa. If you have kids that love dogs, I'm willing to bet that they'll wear out this DVD.

The only reason I'm not giving the DVD 5 stars is that I was hoping for a better retelling of the book.

This is the best!.......2004-11-13

Where the Red Fern Grows is one of the best movies I have ever seen. I nearly cried at the end. Anyone who watches it will love it as much as I did.

Average customer rating:

Poor excuse of a video
Good movie
Bad storyline, worse acting
Where the red fern grows part 2
The Best Movie Ever!

Where the Red Fern Grows II
Starring: Doug McKeon , Wilford Brimley , Chad McQueen , Lisa Whelchel , and Adam Faraizl
Director: Jim McCullough Sr.
Manufacturer: United American Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Customer Reviews:

Poor excuse of a video.......2007-01-05

Good movie.......2006-03-17

Bad storyline, worse acting.......2005-12-23

Where the red fern grows part 2.......2004-12-25

The movie did not live up to the 1st movie that came out and was rather dull. They seemed to have tried to hard.

The Best Movie Ever!.......2003-08-18

Average customer rating:

Poor excuse of a video
Good movie
Bad storyline, worse acting
Where the red fern grows part 2
The Best Movie Ever!

Where the Red Fern Grows II
Starring: Doug McKeon , Wilford Brimley , Chad McQueen , Lisa Whelchel , and Adam Faraizl
Director: Jim McCullough Sr.
Manufacturer: Sterling Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Animals | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Family Films | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

All Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Where the Red Fern Grows
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ASIN: 6304609361
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Customer Reviews:

Poor excuse of a video.......2007-01-05

Good movie.......2006-03-17

Bad storyline, worse acting.......2005-12-23

Where the red fern grows part 2.......2004-12-25

The movie did not live up to the 1st movie that came out and was rather dull. They seemed to have tried to hard.

The Best Movie Ever!.......2003-08-18

Average customer rating:

Where the Red Fern Grows
Starring: James Whitmore; Stewart Peterson; Beverly Garland; Jack Ging; Andy Williams
Director: Norman Toker
Manufacturer: Dayton Video, Inc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Release Date: 2004-01-01

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