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Shiloh
Warner Bros. // PG // July 18, 2006
List Price: $12.98 [Buy now and save at Amazon]
A sweetly old fashioned throwback to quieter, gentler, more innocent family fare, "Shiloh" is adapted from the first in classic trilogy of books by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, whose work captured the boy-and-his-dog honesty of classic children's literature such as "Old Yeller" and "Where the Red Fern Grows." The film, written and directed by Dale Rosenbloom (he'd go on to produce and script all three "Shiloh" films), effortlessly captures the novel's acute tenderness; what Rosenbloom has done, essentially, is craft a new family classic while nobody was looking. (The film came and went with little fanfare, but has since gained quite a following on home video.)
What makes "Shiloh" - both the book and the movie - resonate so well is how honestly it deals with the subject matter, and how respectful it remains in regards to the intelligence of children. There's some heavy stuff in this story, yet it never backs down. Indeed, its aim is to get youngsters talking, asking questions, debating the choices the story's hero had to make. It is a lovely entertainment, yes, but it is also a delicately crafted tale of complex moral problems we could face at any age.
11-year-old Marty Preston (Blake Heron) is working hard at odd jobs in his quiet nowhere town somewhere deep in the woods of West Virginia. He's hoping to save up for a new bike or other such luxury, and that's when he stumbles upon an injured beagle who, as dogs tend to do when they find the right person for them, follows Marty home. Marty's parents (Michael Moriarity and Ann Dowd) explain that the owner must be found. Ah, but the owner is Judd Travers (Scott Wilson), a notably sour type who openly abuses his dogs, claiming it helps them become better hunters.
It is obvious that the dog, whom Marty affectionately names Shiloh, should not be allowed to return to Judd. But it is also obvious that Marty is obligated to do just that. Both, in their own ways, are the right thing. But which right thing is more right?
The most peculiar character in the film is Judd, who, when we first see him, appears to be painted as a broad villain, the sort that will kick a dog and not care who's watching, the sort that will scowl at you if you remind him that he's hunting out of season. And then we see the finer strokes. Judd was abused as a child and raised rough. He lives alone. He has difficulty with reading and writing. He is a man in need of the kindness he refuses to believe he deserves, and he scoffs when Marty tells him how much he feels sorry for him. Even when Judd reneges on a promise, we keep hoping that Marty (who's setting the proper example by keeping his own word) will teach Judd a thing or two. It's the story of a boy and his dog, but it's also the story of a lost man's possible redemption.
Scott Wilson, the noted character actor, delivers a truly exceptional performance here as Judd, understanding the gentleness and warmth at the heart of the story. He is matched by Heron, who carries the film quite well for such a young actor. Effective turns are also given by Moriarity and Dowd, who both present parental wisdom in its purest form, and Rod Steiger, who pops up every now and then as the kindly old Doc Wallace, handler of keen advice and moral lessons ("sometimes the greatest test of love is how much you are willing to fight for it").
"Shiloh" is such a lovely film, the sort that gets you to fall in love with it the moment you first see it. OK, so the button-cute beagle suckers you in, but there's so much more here than just fawning over an adorable pup. This is the rare sort of family movie that actually strives to engage its audience, to ask children to think about the issues on hand. And above all, it is a delight in every sense of the word.
(A note on the film's subject matter: Rosenbloom is quite careful in depicting the abuse in the story. These moments are presented in such a way that they will upset but not frighten children - that is, kids will see what's on screen as being a most terrible act, but they will not be shown images that will haunt them. It's a careful balance, one that Rosenbloom handles quite respectfully.)
The DVD
"Shiloh" is available in several releases from Warner Bros.: a single release, a bargain double-feature release packaging the film with "Shiloh 2," and a three-disc box set collecting all three films in the series. The double-feature repackaging only contains the full screen transfers of both films (par for the course with Warner's reissues). The upcoming box set is labeled as being widescreen.
The disc reviewed here is the single disc, a keep case repackaging of the studio's 2001 snapper case release.
Video
The anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) image perfectly captures the film's lush photography. The landscapes of West Virginia are lovely, while the small town coziness is on display with warm, hearty imagery. A pan-and-scan transfer of the film is available on the other side of this flipper disc, for those who might want such things.
Audio
The Dolby 2.0 stereo track is simple but effective, as good as you'd expect a modern movie to sound. A stereo French soundtrack is also included, as are optional subtitles in English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Thai, and Korean.
Extras
Notable here is video of Roger Ebert introducing the film at his 1999 Overlooked Film Festival. The speech has been edited down to around two minutes - probably to cut out stuff not relating to the film, as Ebert does have a knack for going off topic during such things - and sharply pinpoints exactly why "Shiloh" works not just as a family film, but as a film for any audience.
Less impressive are interviews with cast and crew, which come lifted directly out of the electronic press kit. It's typical bland fare, but most disappointing is the sad realization that whoever typed up the questions (shown on screen in text before answers are given, in place of an actual interviewer) can't spell. The word "role" is repeatedly typed as "roll." Sigh.
A brief public service announcement starring Frannie, the dog that played Shiloh in the film, extols the joys of reading. And yes, the girls in the ad are reading "Shiloh."
Finally, the film's theatrical trailer and a cast & crew list are also included.
All extras are presented in a full screen format.
Final Thoughts
Nearly a decade since its release, "Shiloh" is very deserving of a solid second look, as its ever-growing audience is slowly turning the film into a family classic. This is a beautiful film, one to be adored by viewers of all ages. Highly Recommended.
What makes "Shiloh" - both the book and the movie - resonate so well is how honestly it deals with the subject matter, and how respectful it remains in regards to the intelligence of children. There's some heavy stuff in this story, yet it never backs down. Indeed, its aim is to get youngsters talking, asking questions, debating the choices the story's hero had to make. It is a lovely entertainment, yes, but it is also a delicately crafted tale of complex moral problems we could face at any age.
11-year-old Marty Preston (Blake Heron) is working hard at odd jobs in his quiet nowhere town somewhere deep in the woods of West Virginia. He's hoping to save up for a new bike or other such luxury, and that's when he stumbles upon an injured beagle who, as dogs tend to do when they find the right person for them, follows Marty home. Marty's parents (Michael Moriarity and Ann Dowd) explain that the owner must be found. Ah, but the owner is Judd Travers (Scott Wilson), a notably sour type who openly abuses his dogs, claiming it helps them become better hunters.
It is obvious that the dog, whom Marty affectionately names Shiloh, should not be allowed to return to Judd. But it is also obvious that Marty is obligated to do just that. Both, in their own ways, are the right thing. But which right thing is more right?
The most peculiar character in the film is Judd, who, when we first see him, appears to be painted as a broad villain, the sort that will kick a dog and not care who's watching, the sort that will scowl at you if you remind him that he's hunting out of season. And then we see the finer strokes. Judd was abused as a child and raised rough. He lives alone. He has difficulty with reading and writing. He is a man in need of the kindness he refuses to believe he deserves, and he scoffs when Marty tells him how much he feels sorry for him. Even when Judd reneges on a promise, we keep hoping that Marty (who's setting the proper example by keeping his own word) will teach Judd a thing or two. It's the story of a boy and his dog, but it's also the story of a lost man's possible redemption.
Scott Wilson, the noted character actor, delivers a truly exceptional performance here as Judd, understanding the gentleness and warmth at the heart of the story. He is matched by Heron, who carries the film quite well for such a young actor. Effective turns are also given by Moriarity and Dowd, who both present parental wisdom in its purest form, and Rod Steiger, who pops up every now and then as the kindly old Doc Wallace, handler of keen advice and moral lessons ("sometimes the greatest test of love is how much you are willing to fight for it").
"Shiloh" is such a lovely film, the sort that gets you to fall in love with it the moment you first see it. OK, so the button-cute beagle suckers you in, but there's so much more here than just fawning over an adorable pup. This is the rare sort of family movie that actually strives to engage its audience, to ask children to think about the issues on hand. And above all, it is a delight in every sense of the word.
(A note on the film's subject matter: Rosenbloom is quite careful in depicting the abuse in the story. These moments are presented in such a way that they will upset but not frighten children - that is, kids will see what's on screen as being a most terrible act, but they will not be shown images that will haunt them. It's a careful balance, one that Rosenbloom handles quite respectfully.)
The DVD
"Shiloh" is available in several releases from Warner Bros.: a single release, a bargain double-feature release packaging the film with "Shiloh 2," and a three-disc box set collecting all three films in the series. The double-feature repackaging only contains the full screen transfers of both films (par for the course with Warner's reissues). The upcoming box set is labeled as being widescreen.
The disc reviewed here is the single disc, a keep case repackaging of the studio's 2001 snapper case release.
Video
The anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) image perfectly captures the film's lush photography. The landscapes of West Virginia are lovely, while the small town coziness is on display with warm, hearty imagery. A pan-and-scan transfer of the film is available on the other side of this flipper disc, for those who might want such things.
Audio
The Dolby 2.0 stereo track is simple but effective, as good as you'd expect a modern movie to sound. A stereo French soundtrack is also included, as are optional subtitles in English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Thai, and Korean.
Extras
Notable here is video of Roger Ebert introducing the film at his 1999 Overlooked Film Festival. The speech has been edited down to around two minutes - probably to cut out stuff not relating to the film, as Ebert does have a knack for going off topic during such things - and sharply pinpoints exactly why "Shiloh" works not just as a family film, but as a film for any audience.
Less impressive are interviews with cast and crew, which come lifted directly out of the electronic press kit. It's typical bland fare, but most disappointing is the sad realization that whoever typed up the questions (shown on screen in text before answers are given, in place of an actual interviewer) can't spell. The word "role" is repeatedly typed as "roll." Sigh.
A brief public service announcement starring Frannie, the dog that played Shiloh in the film, extols the joys of reading. And yes, the girls in the ad are reading "Shiloh."
Finally, the film's theatrical trailer and a cast & crew list are also included.
All extras are presented in a full screen format.
Final Thoughts
Nearly a decade since its release, "Shiloh" is very deserving of a solid second look, as its ever-growing audience is slowly turning the film into a family classic. This is a beautiful film, one to be adored by viewers of all ages. Highly Recommended.
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