User Reviews

Director Kriv Stenders did an excellent job bringing the legend to life, opting to make it a comedy instead of a soppy drama.

'Red Dog' is beautifully filmed with beautiful cinematography and great storytelling. Throw in a good soundtrack, a lovable dog that is bound to steal your heart, action, adventure and some drama, and you have an overall enjoyable feature. The dog is just so adorable with the most gorgeous face!

I don't generally watch comedies, but this was bloody marvelous, mate, and really funny. I wasn't prepared for the unexpected events that shocked me, but the director soon returned the film to the lighthearted mood. 'Red Dog' is an incredible film that will make you want to give your dog a great big hug after seeing this. This is a moving and captivating story, with likable characters.

I was lucky to see this film at the Australian Film Festival at the Barbican in London. It sounded like a heart wrencher - and it was! OK, so the performances can tend towards the clichéd or perhaps wooden and the story is a little slow in spots BUT I loved it. A really touching film, shot beautifully with some great Aussie scenery! A world that few get to experience. And Koko is amazing as Red Dog! I haven't read Louis de Bernieres story that is based on, or even heard of the "folk tale" that the movie is based on, but the story is compelling. Oh, and some great Aussie music forms the soundtrack. And of course a bit of crazy Aussie dancing (and fashion) that goes along with it!

I was a bit weary of seeing Red Dog as I'm not always a fan of Australian movies. However I was asked to go and I never turn down a chance to go to the cinema's. I really enjoyed Red Dog. It had quite a lot of good humour, with it's fair share of terrible jokes. There was a lot of emotion packed into the film, that almost felt a bit rushed at bits. It would take you to one end of the spectrum to the other without so much as a warning. Although the film was enjoyable I feel like it is a film that would only appeal to Australian's as there was a lot of slang and jokes that only Aussie's would get, but I could be wrong. Overall I gave it an 8 out of 10 purely because Red Dog is just an awesome character! Go and give Red Dog a go, you just might enjoy it!

I skipped "Red Dog" in Berlin... I don't like "dog" pictures...

BIG MISTAKE !

Fortunately, I had a chance to see it at Vail Film Festival, where it ran away with the "Audience Favorite" and it blew me away... it is a completely endearing tale of an isolated mining town in the far northwest of Australia, the bizarre characters that wash up there, and the unstoppable human drive to create community wherever we gather. And yes, the dog that inspires them to focus on what matters in themselves and in life. The characters, and in this town, everybody is one or they wouldn't BE there, are original, surprising, and compelling. And the landscape that holds them is truly other-worldy.

There is not one sappy minute in this film... but many genuinely hilarious ones, and quite a few touching ones. In it's emotional impact, it somehow reminds me of "the Blind Side", in all the best ways. Between the cineplex, on demand, and 2-3 film festivals, I see roughly 150-200 films a year. This is easily among the 2-3 best I've seen this year...some distributor is going to hit a home-run with this one.

i was lucky enough to see this last year in Melbourne for a exclusive viewing, then i got to comment on what i thought of it. This movie is amazing. it is now my favorite movie. Now i know that people will be like... whatever. but i joined this website and took the time to let as many people as i can know that this movie is by far the greatest Australian movie ever. It makes so laugh and cry. It makes you fall absolutely in love with red dog and really appreciate the companionship of animals. I have nothing bad to say about this movie. I really suggest everyone goes to see this in the cinema. I have already planned to see it another two times. 10/10

A beautiful film shot in one of Australia's most iconic locations that reconstructs a true tale of an Australian larrikan in the manner that these stories are meant to be told, serious, but with a nudge & a wink. It was refreshing that the Director (Kriv Stenders) & the human actors never tried to upstage the true star of the movie Red Dog (Koko), letting him become the focus of the story.

It is important that Australian cinema continues to look at the 1,000's of little stories that make us what we are, the stories of towns & people that are often overlooked in our desire to be recognized overseas. Movies like Red Dog are a window to our soul.

Also, an Australian film without the painful slow pace & without the obligatory close up shot of something totally unrelated to the movie ... refreshing!

I am a dog lover and just absolutely loved this movie. It made me laugh and it made it me cry (a lot). I was literally sobbing in one section.

Overall, it is just a lovely simple story that has a heart. The fact that it's based on true events makes it all the more powerful.

While the story centred on characters, what I love is that someone the actors don't overshadow the dog - he is the star and remains the star throughout the movie. I think seeing a movie, almost through a dog's eyes, makes this even more special.

Was is it a perfectly scripted and acted movie? Perhaps, not but all I know was that I was entertained from the minute it started to the minute it ended and I walked away feeling touched. Sometimes, that's all a movie should do.

I think everyone can take something from this movie.

I'll be sure to watch this again on DVD, it really does touch you.

The story itself (based on a true dog or rather the true dog) is really good. And if you love animals just a little bit, you will adore the movie itself, the story it tells (mostly). I still got a beef with the movie though (no pun intended). For some reason there is a side story that tries to round the whole thing up. Unfortunately it doesn't work at all, being too convenient and too cliché for its own and the viewers good.

You might think I'm pessimistic or too sarcastic with this view, but remember I really like the movie itself, if it weren't for that side story. The dog is really cool and the actors get upstaged by it (obviously). Though this being a movie, they did use more than one dog (haven't checked how many though). The director did a fine job with that

I was lucky enough to see this movie in Western Australia.....the home of Red Dog. More than that, my West Australian wife grew up in Dampier and remembers a period of four or five days, where Red Dog decided to grace her family home with his presence...enjoying the steak dinners provided by my Father in Law. He then decided it was time to go, and moved on to another family. This is only one account of Red Dog, his story legendary, but no less true for that! This movie is a very uplifting true story, not only of Red Dog, but of a small community living on the 'frontier.' In an extremely harsh environment, Red Dog brought the community together. The movie conveys very well what it was like to live in Dampier in the '70s. The movie has some very sad and moving episodes, but also some real 'laugh out loud' moments. In the end, rather than feeling sad, I felt it was a celebration of a very special animal. The movie was so good, I ALMOST awarded a score of 10/10...pity I can't award 9.5/10.

I understand I am totally prejudice with this review as I own a cattle dog myself... I think it is a really great example of the dedication of these animals.. The Australian Cattle Dog is a very unique animal. I love that this movie actually takes into account the characteristics of the cattle dog... They really DO choose their owners... I got lucky and mine chose me.. But that IS a real thing. They really do that... And if they choose you... lol.. Good luck.. You are theirs forever... And they will never leave you.. EVER... A very good movie, in my opinion.. Apparently my review doesn't have enough lines for submission. Here is the needed one.

Today's GV surprise screening wasn't what I had expected, and I mean that in a good way. At first I thought it was going to be one of those rom-coms slated for screening later this month or year, but what got put out was way, way better than expected, even though it started a little slow and bewildering (unlike most other surprise screenings where one can guess what it will be), Red Dog was more than worth the price of the discounted ticket, an Australian film set in the 70s Western Australia in a small mining town based upon a folklore that surpasses almost every conventional dog related cinematic tale put out especially by Hollywood in recent years.

A trucker drives into town and pit stops at a bar, only to find a couple of burly men pining a dog down, with the sheriff about to pull the trigger, but for the trucker's intervention to put off their plan. Slowly but surely for any stranger riding into a new land, the townsfolk soon grow in numbers, as everyone started to pour in to the bar to seemingly pay tribute to the dog, christened Red Dog by everyone, with the narrative unveiling itself in episodic flashback nature with characters taking turns to tell their version and stories of how the dog impacted their lives and the lives of the mining town, and how the town got changed through their canine friend. These stories span a spectrum of emotions, and can be a simple, short scene, or an extended one especially when involving the principal characters of the film

Directed by Kriv Stenders, the film has its fair share of quirky characters and comedic situations, being funny without really trying too hard, go over the top or feeling too contrived. Everything felt as natural as can be, with excellent pacing to allow Red Dog to slowly grow on you. The tried, tested and tired route Hollywood typically takes is to load plenty of saccharine sweet, cutesy moments to deliberate tug at your heartstrings, which is why this Australian film is that fantastic breath of fresh air as it busts genre conventions, yet possessing enough pathos to lift the film into its emotional plateau, pulling you into the rowdy though genuinely sincere lifestyle the miners lead.

As for star power, Josh Lucas stars as the wanderer turned bus driver John who becomes the one and only de-facto owner of Red Dog as they form a loyal master-dog relationship, with Rachael Taylor (of Transformers fame) playing Nancy his love interest whom he met while serving the community, and she getting into a tussle with Red Dog on his bus. Their romance will form the crux which the story will revolve around briefly, although there are other stories which I enjoyed such as how Red Dog got into assisting an Italian miner Vanno (Arthur Angel) go after a nurse (Keisha Castle-Hughes), and a heart-wrenching moment involving the themes of loyalty and longing.

With an awesome soundtrack and beautifully filmed landscapes that captures the conditions of the mining town in very picturesque language, you'll laugh, you'll cry and you'll be moved by the time the movie pulls into its final reel. Now all that remains is for this film to find a proper theatrical release so that it can be watched, experienced and loved by a wider audience that it truly deserves. There may be famous dogs like Lassie in the US and Hachiko in Japan, so do add one to that list with Red Dog from Australia. Definitely in my highly recommended list as it goes into my books with the potential of being one of the best seen in this year, leaving its genre peers clearly in its wake.

Good drama, based on a true story. Bitter-sweet, and very moving.

Starts very lamely and takes a while to get going, and is a bit uneven once it does get going. However, all this is made up for by the emotion it engenders.

Good performances by Josh Lucas, Rachael Taylor and Koko (as Red Dog). Also features Keisha Castle-Hughes in a minor role. Supporting cast are hit-and-miss though.

Everyone will want – but no one can have – Red Dog. It's one of the most beautiful things about him. And that kind of exclusivity is priceless.

This is the Australian Cattle dog that makes Lassie look lame and Rin Tin Tin look like an obedient idiot.

That's because Red Dog is a dog for the soul.

A new movie called Red Dog is the true story of a wandering pooch that brought people together and joy to a community. He exhibited ferocious, inspiring independence and fearless loyalty to freedom. This dog made Che Guevara look like he didn't give it his best shot.

He had the best qualities of every living creature while still sticking it to the man. No one owned Red Dog – until he met a man and gave himself to that one man.

In real life, all this took place in North West Western Australia at a town called Dampier during the 1970s. There's even a statue erected in honour of Red Dog who had a reputation for sniffing out a party 600 kms away and turning up. He seduced and intimidated people into giving him free rides all over the country and, as legend has it, hitched a ride on a tanker to Japan for a spell too.

This dog was so clever, he even sorted free veterinarian care for himself – kind of like scamming a fake medicare card.

I laughed a lot during the movie and cried 3 times. And after seeing the sale of spotty puppies go up after 101 Dalmatians and the sale of Clown fish go up after Finding Nemo, I expect the demand for Australian cattle dogs to go up too. But I hope it doesn't because they are working dogs, not city dogs and apartment living would be like a prison for these very active and intelligent canines.

The film is out August 4 and stars Josh Lucas, Rachael Taylor, Noah Taylor along with one of the last performances by Bill Hunter. But the most kudos has to go to director Kriv Stenders (Lucky Country, Boxing Day, The Illustrated Family Doctor) for shooting a beautiful film in a stunning location while keeping the story elevated to the mythic status Red Dog attained.

Koko is the name of the real dog who plays Red Dog – you can see his audition tape with Kriv at the end of this review. And producer Nelson Woss was so taken with Koko, he adopted him. There's a wonderful tradition of this in cinema. Johnny Depp adopted a one-eyed horse after a shoot when he learned the horse was going to be put down. And Viggo Mortensen kept the horse he worked with in Hidalgo.

The Australian Cattle dog has been a bit of movie star for a while now. One worked with Mel Gibson in Mad Max, Johnny Depp co-starred with another in Secret Window, Billy Connolly paired up with one in The Man Who Sued God and Russell Crowe shared the screen with one in The Silver Stallion. A few had lesser roles in movies such as Babe and Brokeback Mountain.

Famous people who have owned Aussie Cattle dogs include Owen Wilson, Kelly McGillis and Matthew McConaughey.

And for truly extraordinary stories of Australian Cattle dogs pulling off miraculous feats – look up Sophie in Queensland. She swam 5kms through shark-infested waters then lived alone on an island for 5 months before being rescued and re-united with her family. Another one called Ben in South Australia became the primary witness in solving the murder of his owners – neighbours reported that the dog didn't bark at all that day - alerting police to the fact that the killer was known to the victims and to the dog.

But back to the movie. I won't say too much other than – go see it. We haven't had a film like this in Australia for some time. You'll want to see it again. And I reckon the world will go nuts for the movie, nuts for Australian cattle dogs and nuts for touring the Pilbara.

The soundtrack rocks too with lots of good ol' Aussie 70s classics.

Red Dog is a movie with heart starring a dog that's good for your soul.

** I'm co-hosting the episode of Movie Juice with Koko – the star of Red Dog – which screens Monday August 8 at 6pm on Starpics channel 415 and 8pm on Starpics 2.

I saw this movie 25 May 2011 as part of Cinefestoz in Busselton, Western Australia and it is AWESOME! It has to be one of the best family movies that I have seen - and as far as animal movies - tops. Yes, digitalized graphics for a few sections but no, the dog doesn't talk, he doesn't dance and he doesn't do anything that a dog shouldn't do. Koko the dog has expressions that would make some actors look wooden. He steals your heart. The landscapes of the northwest show the expanse of the area, whilst capturing the spirit of the 'settlers' of Dampier, which is a real town. It's a wild country and the stubby shorts the blokes are wearing are so 1970's I wonder where they got them all. Josh Lucas is oh so gorgeous, and so is Rachel Taylor, and the 'real characters' maybe cliché, but you know what, it doesn't matter because it makes the movie even more real and enjoyable.

We laughed, we cried, we laughed, we cried and were moved by a story that crosses time and age and is based on a true story. Thank you for bringing it to us.

Diane and I saw this gem last night on TV because, unfortunately, we missed it when it was on the big screen some months ago. I adore Australian films; they are everything that Hollywood isn't: warm, believable, non-violent, real, heart-warming, under-the-top.

The "critics" seemed to dislike the film for all these reasons: these were absent from this true story. I have read their critic comments and they have thrown in those word-gems that any person commenting about a film can always pulls out; that action in itself is the cliché' that they fulminate against. These critics and commentators have a folder filled with words and phrases that they use if the film is actually a believable, human film that is something to which a person can relate.

The film itself takes place in an area of this state in which I live; an area that is hugely rich in iron ore but an area that is extremely hot, isolated and difficult in which to live. This area is home to people of a calibre that I could never hope to be: strong, resilient and stoic. Therefore, for people (mainly guys because of the nature of the work) with these personality traits to show such respect and love to a stray dog says something positive about them. Yes, they do fall into personality types; the core of the film, humans bonding with animals, has been seen many times before but who wrote the rules for script writing. Screen coldness is out of date, its old hat; it has been seen in all its forms and it comes up wanting more times than not.

Red Dog is a story from which many, many elements can be wrung. Rent it, you will not be sorry!

Red Dog was a beautiful movie based on a true story of a dog who travelled the entire continent of Australia in search of his master. A lost dog is adopted by people of Dampier in Australia who slowly brings together the community and changes the lives of the inhabitants. After his master death , red dog wanders different part of Australia in search of his master. Red Dog is based on a true story and is adapted into a novel of same name. I have always loved movies on animal and since it comes to a doggie story , it is a must watch on my list. The movie begins on a flashback note of how a dog came into a community of miners in Dampier, Australia and how it changed their lives. Though , he was loved and liked by all , John(Josh Lucas) was his ideal master. Circumstances changes and John dies in a tragic which leads Red Dog to go out and search the entire continent of Australia to look out for John. The story is very touching and heart-warming however it is the direction and screenplay which lets you down completely. The direction is lack luster with loop holes in the screenplay. The first half is completely out of sync but it is the second half which catches your attention. I am sure this movie would have made wonders if the direction could have been handled with maturity. The dialogues are just about OK with superb eye- catching cinematography and nice background score. None of actors leaves a mark in terms of performance. More so ever , it is the dog who has been chosen to play the role of RED DOG is better in the movie than the actors. Overall , the movie will be liked and loved by the people who have their pet as dog. Truly , this movie depicts a beautiful message that dogs are indeed a man's best friend. Above average 2.5 / 5

The actors were great and I simply loved the story. A wonderful movie for dog lovers!

Red Dog is a movie which will tell you more about yourself than you might believe. At an extreme, if you like it, you're an empathetic soul who can revel in a good yarn and be whisked away into a world of yesteryear. If you don't like it you are probably a narcissist. So if you know where you sit on the scale between empathetic soul and narcissist you can simply decide to watch it based on your own assumption of your character. The movie has very few flaws (yes I am the empathetic soul) that aren't easily forgivable, the clichés are there but not overstated and the cast all perform admirably. An excellent soundtrack and the best dog acting you may ever see make this a must see family movie. Enjoy it!!

This is an absolutely captivating and fascinating film. I love biopics, and this story was like no other. This is a true Australian icon. This film was the first ever film to make me cry. That is right. This film came out when I was a teenager. Before this film, no film could make me cry. This film had to be a dog film to make me cry. Viewers of this film would be in love with this film. The cast and crew really fully adapted and connected to the storyline in a fine way. I really enjoyed and was into this film. When it comes to dog films, I always end up crying or get teary. Dog films are a real delight for everyone.

"Have you seen John?" is the one question to be answered to the Red and it will be.

This movie was based on a true story of the legendary dog called Red dog. And one of a best dog movie ever made after 'Hachiko a dog's tale' and many others. This movie begins with fun in fact lots of loads of fun simultaneously very emotional and heartbreaking tale.

Actually it was about a middle aged dog which appears from nowhere to a western Australian mining town called Dampier, and soon after he becomes everyone's dear and loved one which later taken care by them in the small community town without a particular master. When days passes everyone will have their own and unforgettable incidents with him till the day he picks his master.

This dog was really so cute and given so adorable expressions throughout the movie. You will love this movie if you ever had a dog like this! The story somewhere crosses and get past through the movie 'Hachiko a dog's tale', I mean there's some similarities between these two but still this movie was independent. It won't tell the exact true story of the Australian legendary red dog which lived in 1970s but made few changes to the movie. The producer of the movie told it is a movie not a documentary, hmm I think the answer is fair enough!

This movie must belong to everyone's one of the top Aussie movie into their collection. Highly recommended! Entertainment guaranteed and to have a tear released!

When I first started watching this my eyes rolled when I suddenly realised it was Australian, however despite my prejudices the more that I think about this movie the more that I realised that I enjoyed it. Now, despite being Australia, there have not been all that many Australian movies that have really impressed me. Romper Stomper, Chopper, the Mad Max series were pretty good, but beyond that I have generally found Australian movies to be quite dull and contrived. Now, don't get me wrong, if you want a good chick flick, then Australia can deliver, and don't expect them to be of the standard Hollywood type, they do have their own unique twists to them.

This movie for an example is what I would call a good Australian chick flick. Now, I have later discovered that it is designed to be a family movie, but then again as a kid we never really went to the movies all that much. Considering that for the average Australian family, a night out at the movies could easily come to about $150 to $200, it is likely to be something of a treat for many of the struggling households. However, that aside, while Australia does have a habit of creating some unique, and interesting films, many of those films I have really not been all that interested in.

This film is about a dog, a red heeler to be precise and it is set in the far northern mining town called Dampier. As it turns out, this is based on a true story about a dog that wondered throughout the region, but seemed to always find a home in Dampier. In fact the dog is somewhat of a legend up there, with a monument being erected after its death. The monument inspired a couple of authors to write stories about this dog, and thus, in time, a film was going to be made.

There is not much more I really want to say about this film. It is enjoyable, but as with a lot of other Australian films that I have seen, it did feel a little bit contrived.

Watched "Red Dog" after all the fuss about it ....

At first why do they need an American star for this movie? Doesn't Australia have a decent "rising star" hopefully not from Neighbors and Home and Away? This had a great opportunity to talk about a folk legend "Pilbara Wanderer" who made his name hitching a ride to wherever they went. Instead of telling a heart felt story it really showed the bogan miners (in the real world these guys work their guts out back in the 70's) with bogan cowboy fights and silly sideline stories.

Why do we need to do a tourism sell every time we make an Australian movie? And if they took out every Australian song for the last 30 years it would have been better. Seriously when they need to spend 40% of the movie on images and music you know its missing a decent script writer. Nice story about a wonderful life of a dog in WA mining town without too much thinking .....unfortunately they could have done so much more.