Greyfriars Bobby (DVD)

...a monument to Bobby in Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh.
He is buried close to his master. His master was named as John Gray.
Bobby's collar is in a museum in Edinburgh it is not just any old collar it is special but you will have to watch the film to find out why.

As is often with history the dates in the film, the age of Bobby and the occupation of John Gray (Old Jock) all seem to be slightly different in my research. ... more

A simple, heartbreaking and lump in your throat story of a devoted grey terrier called Bobby who is the star of this true story from Scotland.

As dogs go, Bobby was amazing; a very clever, loyal dog that stayed with his master for years, even after his master had died.

I first saw this film in black and white on a video last year and the quality was dire but the film was so interesting that my husband and I watched on it the assurance of my father in law who promised us we would enjoy it, and we did.
What else would we really expect from a Walt Disney production?

I recently bought the DVD from Tesco on a special offer two DVD's for £10.
Starring Donald Crisp, Laurence Naismith, Alex Mackenzie, Gordon Jackson, Kay Walsh and Duncan Macrae .
I found these were actor's - apart from Gordon Jackson that I had never really watched before. That did not matter to me.

The film was directed by Don Chaffey and runs for approximately 87 minutes. Universal - suitable for all and it is.

The story begins on a Farm called Cauldbrae, in Scotland in mid 1800's.

The film gives a date which differs to other information I have found.
As the film is old (1961) it was lovely to see it in colour, I noticed the scenes tended to have a rather cloudy picture postcard appearance which in a way made it seems rather dreamy. The scenes of the beautiful Scottish land took on a purple hue which in some senses made it quite magical. So if you do watch this do not expect a clear cut high quality graphics film. Just watch it for the lovely story it tells about Bobby and the people who cared for him.

A shepherd, Old Jock (Alex Mackenzie) has to leave the farm for the last time and leave Bobby behind because he knows he cannot look after him in Edinburgh. Although Bobby does not belong to Old Jock, a dog always chooses his own master. Bobby is clever enough to follow his master to Edinburgh, find him, be taken away and then find him again.
Bobby seems able to communicate with people due to his knowledge of his master's habits.
The gun fired every day at Edinburgh Castle at one o'clock also had significance in this film.

We can imagine exactly what it was like to live in Victorian Edinburgh,
The narrow streets, the slums and conditions of the houses on the other side of the coin we meet the people with steadfast rules and how they can be made and broken, people with principles and morals.
The characters are portrayed well and the acting is simple but effective.

Bobby brings together friendship, loyalty and love, resulting in a lovely, easy to watch tear arouser.

The film was adapted from a book by Eleanor Atkinson.

As the film is quite short I really do not want to give any more of the story than already told but it is suffice to say that Bobby lived to the grand old age of fifteen and there is a monument to Bobby in Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh.
He is buried close to his master. His master was named as John Gray.
Bobby's collar is in a museum in Edinburgh it is not just any old collar it is special but you will have to watch the film to find out why.

As is often with history the dates in the film, the age of Bobby and the occupation of John Gray (Old Jock) all seem to be slightly different in my research. I would suggest just watch the film for the remarkable story of this lovely Skye terrier. Greyfriars Bobby.

For dog lovers a film not to be missed.
Teacherof hooch.

 

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