Amy Adler
Poor David (Dylan Provencher). His parents have died in a car accident in the States. With no other choice, he is sent to live with his only known relative, his grandfather Adam (James Cromwell) on the Isle of Man. Before David lands on the beautiful island in the Irish Sea, his grandfather has to be persuaded by the social services to let the boy stay with him, as Adam is a bitter, crusty recluse. However, things initially go well. Perhaps it is because David volunteers to help with the work almost the minute he arrives. This involves taking care of the farm, especially the herd of sheep. Yet, as David soon discovers, there is a sheepdog as testy as Adam, named Zack, who minds the sheep. One day, David makes the acquaintance of near neighbors, Maggie and her father Michael, but as soon as Adam finds out, he tells David not to see them again. There is, you see, a long-standing grievance between Adam and Michael. In addition, they are rivals in the island's annual sheepdog contest, where Maggie's dog Owd Bob is second only to Zack. David and Maggie continue to see each other on the sly. Soon, a crisis occurs. There are lambs turning up dead on the hills and the suspected killer is Zack, Adam's dog, though he vehemently denies it. Also, sadness arrives at Maggie's house and Zack wants to help but is forbidden. What will happen to all of the folks on this little speck of gorgeous land? This is a fine tale with a breathtaking setting which few will get to visit. The Isle of Man sits in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland and it will put your eye out with its beauty. Meanwhile, this is really a story of two dogs, Bob and Zack, and the quarreling families who own them. There is much screen time devoted to the problems of the humans, too. Cromwell is an exceptional actor and he repeats the farmer's role he had in Babe, only with no seeming warmth in his heart. Provencher, Colm Meany and all of the other cast members are quite fine, too. Be forewarned that tears are likely to gush forth at any viewing. But, for certain, get this film now, before you are OWD! Its wonderful.
POOHDOG
Having viewed this film numerous times on cable I had to purchase it. What a delicous talent pool. The actors have been in numerous British/ Irish productions. The scenery alone is worth seeing the movie. The gorse in bloom is a delight for the eye. This is a family film with dramatic acting taking credit not sillyness. The sheepdogs of course steal every scene but the Isle of Man location is breathtaking. I wish the soundtrack was availble but alas it's not. It's toe tapping Irish music. Sit back and enjoy this one.
brude2000
Here is a powerful and moving tale of strained familiar relationships set amid the picturesque hedgerows on the Isle of Man. James Cromwell (`Babe') stars as Adam McAdam, an embittered widower whose blame-laying has become a way of life and the fuel that stokes his feud with neighboring sheep farmer Keith Moore (Colm Meaney). Along comes McAdam's orphaned American grandson (Dylan Provencher), who strikes up a relationship with Moore's daughter (Jemima Rooper) and becomes a voice of reason when both men's championship dogs are suspected in a series of sheep killings.Cromwell is excellent as the stern, tight-lipped McAdam, an almost menacing departure from the farmer we all loved in `Babe.' Beautifully photographed and scored with wonderful Irish rhythms, `Owd Bob' is strong stuff that tugs at the heartstrings and should appeal to film lovers worldwide. By the by, the odd title (a remake of Robert Stevenson's 1938 film) is the name of one of the dogs.
Sarathai
I`ve seen the movie on ppv and there I only watched because of James Cromwell and Colm Meany (I'm a Trekker!). But then I began to forget about their roles in DS9. This movie takes you into the story like no other film! If you like films like this or not, watch it!
