White Dog (Masters of Cinema) (Dual Format Edition) [Blu-ray + DVD] [1982]

Enough has probably been said about the movie in other reviews, I juts wanted to take an opportunity to make a comment on the blu-ray transfer... which in my opinion looked great. It's well worth an extra couple of quid to buiy the blu-ray version as I see someone else has posted a review that mentions the DVD quality isn't great. The book which comes as part of the blu-ray is also really good and even features an interview with the dog!!Why the movie was banned at the time, I couldn't comment.. seems to have been a bit of sensationlism I think. When I have recommended the movie to people most have 'guffawed' the storyline and made out like I endorsed racism just by buying it! However upon watching it, pretty much everyone has agreed that it is a really powerful movie and - for lack of more appropriate term - have 'enjoyed' it.

To say that "White Dog" is ahead of its time is an understatement, because I doubt if any studio today would put up the money to make a film as tough and as unsentimental as this about a subject which is so sensitive as racism. Even today this hasn't had a cinema release in the US, and shame on them.The story - the adoption by an out-of-work actress, Julie (Kristy McNichol, of a German Shepherd she has accidentally run over at night, followed by the discovery that the dog has been programmed to attack white people, and the attempt by a black animal trainer to re-train the dog out of its "racism" - is very straightforward and simple, and on one level it is just that, a story, and a very exciting one too. But the ideas and questions that arise out of it had me and my partner talking about the movie all that night and the next morning. It's Samuel Fuller's great strength as a writer and director that he concentrates on narrative in the way only he can, and lets the themes arise naturally out of the action. And at the heart of the movie are two very harsh questions: If racism can be taught, can it be unlearned - or rather, can the hatred which is instilled ever be eradicated? And, if we don't talk to racists and try to persuade them, what are we going to do with them? Fuller doesn't offer answers, and it's his failure to provide intellectual comfort food which had studios running scared in 1982, and makes this movie so powerful.There is a rough, raw B-movie energy to the film which adds to the power. Night colour is tempered by lurid red and blue filters, the editing is sharp and jolting as Fuller's always is, the camera has an in-yer-face feel, with huge close-ups. Twice he goes into Peckinpah-style slo-mo, but for shorter periods and for better purpose. This is a masterly piece of technical film-making, and an emotional roller-coaster which makes any discussion of the issues afterwards more intense; you feel you have lived it. And the final image is heart-breaking.There are however three reasons why I don't give this the full five stars. First, the transfer quality is awful. Brash colours were intended, but there are parts when this film is almost unwatchable or indecipherable.Second, the principals' acting is mainly B-movie quality (Jameson Parker as the boyfriend is particularly weak). There is however one stand-out performance in the cameo by Parley Baer as the dog's original owner. Truth to tell, the Oscars here go to the five dogs who played the poor mutt who is the victim in all this. (Fuller has problems with matching shots of the different canine actors, which also weakens the film slightly.)Finally, the script is seriously weakened by the scenes of serious talking. Fuller isn't exactly preaching, but he's trying to create the background context for what is happening in the action. The result is extremely clunky, and not helped by the quality of the acting.But ignore these failings, concentrate on what happens and the way it's filmed, and I guarantee you will be stirred and involved in ways most film-makers can only dream about.

Great film

Better than I remember! I saw this many many years ago. Not sure if this is the version I saw. Either way, I found the movie to be fascinating with a touchy subject matter (racism through a trained dog!). And, one that I never knew of. It certainly opened my eyes as it has to everyone else I know who has watched this. It will definitely get conversation going after viewing it.The acting is very good except for the lead actress (Kristy McNichol). She is totally miscast. However, this is one of those rare ocassions where the movie and story line overshadows the acting. The video on the DVD is good as is the audio. The Bluray video and audio is a nice upgrade. Included is an informative booklet which sheds light on the movie, director, etc.This is Region B locked.I can't recommend this movie enough! Enjoy!

This film has to be the MOST UNDERRATED film of alll time. It is absolutely brilliant and if people were,nt so blinkered in their out look of ths subject matter then maybe it might get the appreciation it so wholly deserves. Paul Winfield is the guy in the film who try,s to get the seed of evil out of the dogs brain, [ he is a black guy trying to teach a dog taught to attack black people , to be normal again] Just watch it and see how good and also how sensitively it handles the subject.10 OUT OF 10