The Incredible Journey (1963)
Originally released - 20 November 1963
Director <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0548529/">Fletcher Markle</a>
Main Cast
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0312783/">Émile Genest</a> - John Longridge
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0236835/">John Drainie</a> - Professor Jim Hunter
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0779771/”>Sandra Scott</a> - Mrs. Hunter
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0278011/">Marion Finlayson</a> - Elizabeth Hunter
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0169975/">Ronald Cohoon</a> - Peter Hunter
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0878526/">Tommy Tweed</a> - The Hermit
<a>Rex Allen</a> - Narrator
Based on the novel "The Incredible Journey" by Sheila Burnford</center>
Three lonesome animals in search of home take on 200 miles of rugged wilderness in this truly incredible journey. Traverse the majestic Canadian countryside with this unlikely trio of devoted travelling companions: Bodger, a bull-terrier; Tao, a Siamese cat; and Luath, a Labrador retriever. Filmed against magnificent, colourful panoramas, this inspiring Disney animal adventure classic will lift your heart and spirit to a joyous new level.
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Recently voted the 49th biggest tearjerker of all time and one of the classic movies from the 1960s, The Incredible Journey is one of those on location, animal adventure movies we’ve come to know so well. Popular enough a movie and good enough a story to warrant being remade in 1993 as Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey.
Once again a story is presented against the back drop of autumnal forest, trickling rivers and mountain ranges. The story of three pets who against the odds journey cross country in order to make their way home. Simple, sweet and charming. The film primarily with all animal action seems to be a development of the idea behind the True Life Fantasy “Perri”, showcasing nature to tell a story.
Having never read the original novel I can’t comment on how faithful the film is, however the film certainly has its moments of drama and action, which makes it all the more maddening this film has never had a DVD with bonus features shedding light upon its production. Scenes such as the cat Tao being swept down river through the foaming rapids following the collapse of the dam and the confrontations between the bears and lynx are such highlights of the film, I wish more was known about how they were done with the technology available back in the day.
Although in spite of the classic nature of the film and its stunning use of location and its drama, there are a couple of things that really irk me in the film. The first the mad old hermit scene always leaves me annoyed. It seems like a completely random plot departure, possibly included to introduce humour, but only leaves me cold. It’s not helped by the fact the old codger appears to be eating a plate of diarrhoea. I suspect its inclusion may also have been to flesh the story somewhat, even with this is has a short running time of around 75 minutes, being odd for a Disney film of the time.
Second, I have an oak table that is not as wooden as the young boy who seems to be pining over the loss of his dog bodger. When compared with the great pantheon of Disney child actors, Bobby Driscoll he most certainly ain’t.
However these drawbacks can’t reduce the shine of the remainder of the film and it’s only a shame that the remake seems to have knocked this film from the awareness of the general public.
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Next time: Darby O'Gill and the Little People
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