Challenge to Lassie

1949 "Wanted by the Law"
6.2| 1h16m| G| en| More Info
Released: 31 October 1949 Released
Producted By: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Info

When Lassie's master dies, an old friend tries to convince a judge that the dog's life should be spared.

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Director

Richard Thorpe

Production Companies

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

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Challenge to Lassie Audience Reviews

Kattiera Nana I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.
Matrixston Wow! Such a good movie.
Nonureva Really Surprised!
Nayan Gough A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.
westegg Sorry, but this is one stupid movie. A bewigged judge and surrounding court has nothing better to do than sentence noble Lassie to death! Why? Because of some infraction of the law, and while the judge admits it's an outdated law, Lassie must be sacrificed before the law can be changed! Not even pleading kids, who scrape up money for a dog license, can convince the judge to lighten up. I figure it ended happily (I'll admit I exited before it ended, but have read of the Greyfriar's Bobby inspiration)), but really, the story was a stretch to believe--can the law of the land consider it a job well done by sacrificing an innocent collie, who never bothered anyone, because of some unwavering judicial claptrap? Sure, it's meant to be a movie with conflict, but this was just ill conceived and obnoxious. Beyond that, nicely acted, photographed and all that, but...stupid.
TheLittleSongbird I am personally quite surprised at the film's low rating here. I love this film, I find it so easy to love and so endearing, affectionate and touching. The film looks gorgeous, with lush scenery and cinematography, and the music is soothing and fits splendidly. The dialogue amused and moved me, the story was always engaging and poignant and the film pace-wise was never dull, at least not for me. It is beautifully directed as well, and while actors such as Edmund Gwenn and Donald Crisp give very likable performances and fit their characters very well, Lassie steals the show. She is absolutely adorable, and I can't count the number of times I empathised with her here.All in all, a lovely film. 10/10 Bethany Cox
preppy-3 Supposedly based on a true story this takes place in Scotland. Lassie's owner 'Jock' Gray (Donald Crisp) is killed by two thieves. Lassie will not rest unless she's sleeping by his grave. Unfortunately the laws in Scotland do not allow dogs in the graveyard and any dog that does not have an owner must be destroyed. Residents of the town try to save Lassie from being put to sleep against the nasty old judges.OK--the plot is ridiculous and everybody talks down to the audience but what do you expect from a kids movie? Those problems aside, this is a great movie. It has incredible color photography and some of the backgrounds are just breath taking. Every single shot is in rich strong color and looks just beautiful. It also has a very impressive score that matches the movie beautifully. The acting is as OK as it could be and is mostly done by a competent group of character actors or unknowns. But this film belongs to Lassie. She looks just beautiful all through the film and there are incredible closeups of her. Also she does some impressive stunts for any dog. My one complaint is that she whines WAY too much. Yes, it fits the film but got on my nerves after a while. It's also pretty obvious that some of her whining was overdubbed! Still, this is a really beautiful film with a cute dog, beautiful color and a great score. Highly recommended for kids AND adults!
markrpoole Long before Mel Gibson and his Braveheart chums erroneously and treacherously painted Robert the Bruce as a traitor to the people he served so heroically, Hollywood was trampling all over the memory of that other great Scottish hero, Greyfriar's Bobby. Challenge to Lassie removes the faithful terrier, replacing him with some big shot American sheepdog, surrounded by 'actors' whose Scottish accents are so bad you wonder if they've given up half way through, tried an Irish one, realised they're not much cop at that either and tried Scottish again to no avail.Hopefully Braveheart will pay the same price for attempting to alter Scotland's proud history and be as anonymous in forty odd years as Challenge to Lassie is now.An evil, evil film.