This is a damn good attempt to make a feature film out of my favourite Richard Adams book.The problem with the book is that some of the digressions into politics and journalism are just a bit too long and self-indulgent, which disrupts the flow of the story. I'd certainly have edited down Digby Driver's part to something still vital to the plot, but more concise and direct.This animated adaptation cuts out the worst excesses of those digressions, but cuts too much else as well, in my opinion. The character-establishing story of Snitter's former master and his sister is virtually excised, for instance. The ending stops short of the original, leaving it ambiguous and darker. In addition, some of the animation makes the animals' movements look a little unnatural. Like 'Watership Down', they have employed a starry British cast of voice actors, and this is a great strength of this film. Overall, recommended, but be aware that, while parts of the original story are best discarded for narrative flow, some lost elements should have been left in.I don't imagine anyone will be attempting a new version of 'The Plague Dogs' any time soon, so this more-than-worthy effort is a good primer for anyone wanting to read the book itself. Plus, for those who are distressed by the final act, the book has a much happier ending.

It's from the director of 'Watership Down' so that should give you an idea of what you're in for. If you want to let your kids know what a dark, horrible and hostile place the world can be: let them watch this film (or Watership down). If you want them to be ignorant, happy saps who think the world is a colorful place where nothing bad can happen and everything will turn out okay let them watch a Disney flick. But I guess it can't hurt to see both sides, that'll teach 'em realism instead of naive positivism right. I admire that they didn't water down the film just to reach a larger audience. Unfortunately this second movie is also the last one this direct ever made.

It has been estimated that from ten to one hundred million animals are used annually for research purposes. In the U.S., any procedure can be performed on an animal if it can be successfully argued that it is scientifically justified. Whether medical and scientific discoveries of benefit to mankind outweigh animal cruelty and likely death is a debate that has been going on since testing and experimentation on living animals began in Greece in the fourth century BC and shows no signs of abating. This subject is the theme of Martin Rosen's animated film The Plague Dogs.Based on the novel by Richard Adams who also wrote "Watership Down," The Plague Dogs is a disturbing movie that pulls no punches and is heartbreakingly real in its depiction of the sad effects of animal experimentation. Whether or not children should see it is a decision that has to be made by each parent. Walt Disney, it is not. In the film, a black Labrador named Rowf (John Hurt) and a fox terrier Snitter (Christopher Benjamin), subjected to endless tests of endurance as well as undefined brain surgery, make a daring escape from an animal research facility in Coniston, but find the outside world less welcoming than they remember.With no specific destination in mind, the two wander through the English Lake District hoping to find a master that will take care of them (Snitter is racked with guilt, thinking he caused the death of his previous master in an accident). In this bleak environment depicted in dark colors, their search for food and shelter is aided only by a sly, opportunistic fox (The Tod) who teaches the dogs the ways of the wild, mostly for his own benefit. As more and more sheep are reported killed, the research center spreads the rumor that the dogs may be carriers of the Bubonic Plague and the farmers are now assisted by the Army to hunt them down. Snitter does not help their cause by being involved in a freak shooting accident that kills a passerby.Though the mood of The Plague Dogs is somber and the film is marred by heavy British accents that are barely audible, the film is strengthened by the loving relationship of the two dogs and we root for them to survive even though we know the odds are against them. While the dogs are puzzled by the actions of the "whitecoats," they do not succumb to thoughts of revenge. Trying not to think the worst of their whitecoat tormentors, Rowf asks "There must be some reason, mustn't there? It must do some sort of good," but the good is hard to find as the dogs must confront insurmountable obstacles to find a way to survive. Like many of us who are trying to keep our heads above water, their island is so close but so far away.

This movie had been recommended to me because I had watched "Watership Down" years ago, and I found it very interesting and unlike any other animated movie. I was told that "The Plague Dogs" was similar in make, so I thought I would give it a try. This gave me the same eerie feel, but it kept me on my toes, almost like a suspense film. I have never seen a film so accurately display dog's behaviors AND personify them... Instead of just talking dogs, I felt as if I was just given a translation of what they would have really been saying if they COULD talk. This made the movie feel so real to me, I connected with the characters and this movie was simply a pleasure to look at. The realistic environments, the glistening coats of the dogs, even the water trickling down the stream was a relief from most modern animation.I am not one to cry when I watch movies. This movie made me sob and sob, in the beginning I cried, and in the end I cried. Like I said in my summary: it's definitely tough for dog lovers to watch!!! I would highly recommend this movie, however it is not for kids 16 and under. If you think you'd like to watch it with your family, the parental guidance on this site is incredibly helpful for this, and for any movie on here. 10/10 in my opinion!! What a great movie!!