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Rating:  - Lovers of the Novel Will Not Be Disappointed
_The Plague Dogs_ by Richard Adams has long been one of my favorite books. For this reason, I have avoided seeing Martin Rosen's adaptation until now; I was afraid I would be deeply disappointed, that the film would somehow tarnish my relationship with the book. Although the film adaptation falls short in places, and there are slight variations in plot (notably, in the last five minutes of the film), overall it is an exceptional work that stays true to the heart of the book.
Fortunately, I have not seen the entire movie in its original format. If I had, I may be disappointed. Having researched the changes that were made, I do see how Martin Rosen's original rendition would have been stronger. However, those new to the film will not be disappointed.
Also, there seems to be a debate about the ending of the film vs. that of the novel. Although completely different, both endings are equally as strong and poignant. Both the book and the film will elicit an emotional response from all except the coldest of hearts.
The voice actors in the film are excellent. John Hurt, who did the voice of Hazel in _Watership Down_, appropriately performs as Snitter. Christopher Benjamin excels as Rowf. We are even briefly treated to the voice of Patrick Stewart in a very small role.
This film falls short in one area: length. It is impossible in 87, or even 99 minutes to thoroughly develop the plot of the novel. The absence of Digby Driver, for example, eliminates a fascinating and ironic subplot from the film. However, since editing was necessary, it was nice that Rosen chose to focus almost exclusively on the animals themselves.
If you, like me, have read the book and are thinking about checking out the DVD, please do not hesitate. The animation is beautiful, the voice acting is excellent, and it is thematically true to the book. Its only shortcoming is its length.
Rating:  - Hummm. Still functioning despite the amputations!
"Plague Dogs", based on Richard Adams' (Watership Down, Shardik) 1977 novel, is among the most substantive offerings in animation films. Snitter (terrier), and Rowf (Black Lab) escape from an animal research lab conducting "experiments" on dogs, monkeys, rabbits and others, including: Bubonic Plague, experimental brain surgery, sensory deprivation, and (often-fatal) recovery-from-drowning. Encountered on the run, a worldly-wise fox (The Tod) helps Snitter and Rowf evade re-capture and survive in the wild while seeking a vaguely understood, permanent safe haven.
The animation is fine, similar to Watership Down's. But it is the novel's substance and attendant characterizations that underlie the film: a brutal perspective, from that of two anthropomorphized dogs and a fox, about survival needs; animal researchers' clinical depravity; anthropocentricity; and a welter of CYA political and press mendacities. At its core is a fascinating character study: that of poor Snitter's brain surgery-induced delirious yet moving confusions and imaginings; Rowf's ever-fatalistic, aggressive, no-nonsense realism; and the Tod's sympathetic opportunism.
At 150,000 words, the novel (Knopf, 1978, 1st American hardbound edition) also has a bonus: 20-plus pages of carefully-drawn Wainwright illustrations (13 full-page, eight being route maps), plus a two-page frontispiece. While a quarter of the novel centers on various humans and their conversations, the film cleverly maintains interest by keeping the focus on Snitter, Rowf and the Tod, pertinent human conversations largely presented as voice-overs. But though the film carefully replicates Snitter's and Rowf's trek and manages to convey some personality subtleties, one needs the novel's far richer prose (Adams' prose rivaling Tolkien's) for a rewardingly deeper understanding of the characters and out-of-context scenes depicted.
Though intriguingly four minutes short of the original's reported run-time, Australian (PAL region 4) sources offer a 99-minute "extended release" DVD viewable in the US with a PAL-enabled system and region-free player. This version, reportedly made from an only-surviving copy, has non-re-mastered but adequate picture-sound quality. Also included is an 82-minute amputated re-mastered version. Struggling for film release, its producers obviously encountered lowest-common-denominator marketing mentalities, shunning of graphic depictions, script change demands appeasing the pro-fox-hunting lobby, and having to manufacture several thrills. Two notable changes from the novel concern the fates of the Tod, and of Snitter/Rowf. Even ignoring detrimental changes, this reviewer awards just four stars for this 80 percent of the original film.
Several reviewers caution prospective buyers to deny young children seeing this film. Would such folks also shield children from Oliver Twist, The Yearling, Race of the Swift, Cooper's Leather Stocking tales, or Felix Salten's Bambi? When this reviewer was in grade-school over fifty years since, it was customary to have such books read by the teacher, generally a chapter after lunch; or on one's own at home! Were that Plague Dogs had been available! Presumably no permanent damage resulted to this reviewer from such dangerous childhood adventures, though some might disagree! And do you suppose the film's missing four minutes were to accommodate the novel's ending, hinted in the closing scene?
Rating: - A classic animated film for grown-ups... but the DVD could be better
This woefully underappreciated animated film was created by the team behind the wonderful Watership Down. The story concerns a pair of dogs, Rowf and Snitter, who escape from an animal-testing lab in the wilds of England and their attempts to survive in a cold and hostile world. Rowf and Snitter traverse the wilds and encounter both a fox named The Tod who trains them in the ways of being wild and humans who are either afraid of them or try to hunt them. The film is excellently animated and touches on themes of friendship, bravery, and animal rights. The ending is very moving and always makes me shed a tear or two.
Many talented people lent their skills to this movie. Martin Rosen, also the creator of Watership Down, led a team which took almost two years to painstakingly craft this masterpiece. Among the actors who gave vocal performances for The Plague Dogs are John Hurt, Nigel Hawthorne, and Patrick Stewart as an army major. I was even surprised to see Brad Bird's (creator of The Iron Giant and The Incredibles) name in the credits as an animator!
Unfortunately, while the film itself is great, this DVD leaves a little bit to be desired. The movie is presented in its North American edited length of 85 minutes. There is apparently a longer 99-minute cut available on DVD from Australia, but only in PAL video format. The film itself looks in pretty good condition for being almost 25 years old. Other than Scene Selection and Interactive Menus (as if those even count), the DVD is devoid of any special features. Another feature lacking on the DVD that I do miss from my old VHS copy is closed captions or subtitles. I have a little difficulty making out some of the difficult British Isles accents, especially from The Tod and the sheepherding dogs.
I highly recommend that fans of adult, drama-oriented animation (and Watership Down fans in particular) check this one out. Despite its barebones DVD presentation, it's a great, powerful film that deserves to be seen. I give the film 5 stars but subtract 1 star for the lackluster DVD presentation.
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