Lassie Come Home Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A dog gets sold, throws a hissy fit, and walks a bazillion miles to guilt-trip her former owner into feeling bad.

🍿 Lassie Come Home: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Carraclough’s Hardship

In Yorkshire, England, the Carraclough family faces dire financial straits. Sam Carraclough, the father, is unemployed, and they struggle to make ends meet. The family’s pride and joy is their beautiful collie, Lassie, who shares a deep bond with their son, Joe.

Forced to Sell Lassie

With heavy hearts, Sam and his wife Helen are forced to sell Lassie to the wealthy Duke of Rudling. Joe is devastated by the loss of his beloved companion, and Lassie also deeply feels the separation.

Lassie’s Escapes

Lassie’s loyalty to Joe compels her to escape from the Duke’s kennels multiple times, returning to wait for Joe outside his school at 4 PM every day. Each time, the Carracloughs are forced to return her, further breaking Joe’s heart.

The Journey to Scotland

The Duke, recognizing Lassie’s unhappiness, takes her to his estate in Scotland, hundreds of miles away. Despite the distance, Lassie’s determination to reunite with Joe remains unbroken.

Priscilla’s Kindness

The Duke’s granddaughter, Priscilla, notices Lassie’s misery and helps her escape, knowing the dog’s true home is with Joe. This act of kindness sets Lassie on a perilous journey back to Yorkshire.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Joe Carraclough (Roddy McDowall): A young boy who is heartbroken when his family is forced to sell his beloved collie, Lassie.
• Lassie (Pal): A loyal collie who embarks on a long and dangerous journey from Scotland to Yorkshire to reunite with her beloved owner, Joe.
• Sam Carraclough (Donald Crisp): Joe’s unemployed father who makes the difficult decision to sell Lassie to provide for his family.
• Duke of Rudling (Nigel Bruce): The wealthy nobleman who buys Lassie but eventually recognizes the strong bond between the dog and Joe.
• Priscilla (Elizabeth Taylor): The Duke’s kind granddaughter who helps Lassie escape and return home.
• Rowlie (Edmund Gwenn): A traveling tinker who befriends Lassie and provides her with food and companionship during her journey.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Joe Carraclough: “Ye’re my Lassie come home.” – Said by Joe at the very end when Lassie, after her long journey, finally makes it to his school to meet him.
• Dally Fadden: “There’s no holdin’ what wants to go.” – Dally says this to her husband, Dan’l, when they realize that Lassie is restless and longing to return to her home, and they decide to let her go.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $489,000 (estimated)
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $99,248

💥 Lassie Come Home Reviews

Personal Review

I’ve seen ‘Lassie Come Home’ so many times, and it still gets me. That scene where Joe sees Lassie at the school gate just melts my heart every single time! The film beautifully captures the unconditional love between a boy and his dog. I feel so much joy and sadness watching Lassie’s journey. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves a good, classic tearjerker. I will never forget watching it with my grandma and sobbing when Lassie finally came home.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families looking for a heartwarming movie”
  • “Dog lovers”
  • “Fans of classic cinema”
  • “Those who appreciate stories about loyalty and perseverance”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief moments of peril for the dog”
  • “Scenes depicting economic hardship”
  • “Animal cruelty(mild)”
  • “The death of a minor character”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “A heartwarming tale of loyalty and courage that resonates with audiences of all ages. The simple beauty and poignance of the story is captivating.
• Variety: “A meticulously crafted family film that showcases the incredible bond between a boy and his dog. The stunning cinematography and strong performances make this a classic.

Audience Reactions

The ending is an emotional rollercoaster that leaves everyone in tears of joy.: Viewers consistently praise the film’s ability to evoke strong emotions and its timeless message of loyalty.

Pal’s performance as Lassie is incredibly expressive and believable, capturing the essence of the character.: Audiences are amazed by the dog’s acting ability and how much emotion it conveys.

Overall Consensus: A classic, heartwarming family film that celebrates the enduring bond between a boy and his dog, filled with emotional moments and stunning visuals that continue to resonate with audiences today.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Cinematography, Color)- 1944

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Lassie was played by a male collie named Pal. Male collies were chosen because they were larger and had fuller coats than the females, making them more photogenic.”
• “Elizabeth Taylor was cast after Maria Flynn, the original actress playing Priscilla, was replaced. Some sources say Flynn was afraid of the dog, while others cite her growing taller than Roddy McDowall or issues with the Technicolor lighting as reasons for the change.”
• “The film’s locations, although meant to depict Yorkshire and Scotland, were primarily filmed in California, including Big Sur and Lake Arrowhead.”

🖥️ How to Watch Lassie Come Home?

You can stream ‘Lassie Come Home’ on platforms like Apple TV and rent or purchase it on Amazon Prime Video and other online movie retailers. Check your local listings for potential television broadcasts.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Lassie Come Home, you might like these similar films:

• National Velvet (1944): Another heartwarming story featuring a young Elizabeth Taylor and her bond with an animal, emphasizing courage and determination.
• The Incredible Journey (1963): Similar theme of loyal pets undertaking a long and perilous journey to reunite with their owners.
• War Horse (2011): A more modern, epic story of loyalty and perseverance, where a young man is determined to reunite with his beloved horse amidst the backdrop of World War I.
• My Friend Flicka (1943): A coming-of-age story centered around a boy’s deep connection with a horse, portraying themes of responsibility and understanding.

🛒 Lassie Come Home Related Products

• Lassie Come Home [Blu-ray]: Experience the classic film in stunning high definition with this Blu-ray edition. Includes bonus features and behind-the-scenes content.
• Lassie by Eric Knight – The Original Novel: Read the original novel that inspired the movie and delve deeper into the story of Lassie’s incredible journey.
• Lassie Plush Toy – Classic Edition: A cuddly plush toy of Lassie, perfect for fans of all ages. This classic edition captures the essence of the beloved character.
• Lassie: A New Beginning [DVD]: Watch the 2005 remake of Lassie to see the classic movie for a new generation.

🎧 Soundtrack

Lassie Come Home features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “America the Beautiful” – performed by Samuel A. Ward, Arranged by Daniele Amfitheatrof

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Controversy That Took ‘LASSIE’ Off The Air for Good

Ever wonder why Lassie disappeared from our screens after so many successful seasons? This video dives into the controversies and secrets that ultimately led to the show’s demise – it’s a surprising story!

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