Search - White Dog - Criterion Collection on DVD

Christie H. (cowgirl18) from WEST BLOCTON, AL
Reviewed on 3/1/2013...

This movie was very interesting. I bought the criterion version of this movie and the picture and sound were great for a film made in the 80's. I read a few reviews down stating the quality of the dvd they watched was terrible. That is not the case with the criterion collection. The sound was clear n so is the picture. The content of the movie is very disturbing and extremely sad. I don't want to say too much because I'm afraid I'd ruin it for y'all. I do think it portrays a clear message about racism and its truly heart breaking to watch.It does give you options to watch interviews about the director Sam Fuller and what processes he went through to make this movie. I would recommend this movie to watch n give it four stars. I'm sorry I haven't given a lot of info but like I said I don't want to spoil it for others.

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

THIS DOG STILL BITES!

Robin Simmons | Palm Springs area, CA United States | 11/26/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"In 1982, Samuel Fuller's "WHITE DOG" created a storm of controversy that resulted in a limited theatrical release with no follow-up video until now.

What was falsely labeled an incendiary racist film that could provoke real life violence is instead a bold anti-racist parable about how racism is learned or taught. In the movie the metaphor is a dog that has been trained to attack people with dark skin.

The origin of the story is a harrowing true incident Romain Gary wrote about in Life magazine.

The movie story is simple. Julie Sawyer (Kristy McNichol in her first adult role) is a young actress who, while driving one night, accidentally hits a white German shepherd on a mountain road. She takes it to a vet and tries to find the owner. In the meantime, Julie grows attached to the dog. One night it saves her from a intruder who attempts to rape her. Later, the dog runs away and comes home bloody. On a movie set with Julie, the dog attacks a black actress. Julie realizes the dog has been trained as an attack dog so she takes it to "Noah's Ark" an animal shelter and training facility hoping the dog can be deprogrammed in some way. She is told that the dog is a "white dog," one trained to attack black people. At the facility, Keys (Paul Winfield), a dog expert sees this as an opportunity to see if racial prejudice can be unlearned.

This low-budget film is sometimes heavy-handed but is immensely watchable and the restored uncut widescreen transfer is, as with all Criterion editions, made from the best elements available and is very crisp and clean.

Kristy McNichol has a natural, winning charisma on screen. Her top billing is justified and she has an easy, believable chemistry with the dog (actually five dogs were used).

Paul Winfield dominates the latter half of the film. His performance is focused and intense. I was reminded of a superb dog story in which he starred, 1972's "Sounder."

The great Burl Ives has a small part as the co-owner of "Noah's Ark." It is great to hear that singular voice even if it is only in spoken words.

Director Sam Fuller had a reputation as a tough, cigar-chomping sometimes over-the-top, story-teller. He has been called "the tabloid poet." Fuller did not shy away from controversial issues and in fact helmed other films with racial conflict as a theme. He died in 1997 at the age of 85. This was his last film.

There's a wonderful featurette containing new interviews with producer Jon Davison, co-writer Curtis Hanson ("L.A. Confidential") and Fuller's widow Krista Lang."

I'VE SEEN IT...AND THE QUALITY SUCKS!

Ron Wright | 09/13/2007

(1 out of 5 stars)

"This a great film, but you wouldn't know it from this presentation. It is indeed 1.33 and from what looks like a VHS source by the smearing and oversaturated and bleeding colors. The film itself is riddled with speckles and marks; the sound is blurry and full of pops and clicks. During the titles, the music is distorted and sounds like it came from a scratched LP. I wish I had done my homework on this. Please be patient and wait for the Criterion release about which I learned too late."

****BOOTLEG**** DO NOT PURCHASE!

Jeff | Denver, CO USA | 07/27/2007

(1 out of 5 stars)

"This is an illegal bootleg DVD. Criterion is working on a legitimately licensed version, which is sure to have lots of great supplements and a top-notch transfer."