Martin Rosen's second -- and last -- animated feature adapts another grim, harrowing novel by author Richard Adams -- THE PLAGUE DOGS. For anyone familiar with predecessor WATERSHIP DOWN, that movie achieved the impossible: placing cuddly rabbits in a gritty yet compelling story while somehow managing to appeal as a successful work of art on its own. THE PLAGUE DOGS is every bit as dark -- perhaps even more so.
This time the subject is about animal experiments the human cruelty that goes along with it (think THE SECRET OF N.I.M.H., and you get the idea). Two dogs who undergo such torture, Snitter and Rowf, daringly choose to escape the scientists' lab and struggle to survive in the wilderness. But it proves to be a challenge, especially since neither canine has learned how to live in a harsh, brutal world, especially one where humans turn their noses up at them and the only way to live is by mauling sheep. Only a skillful fox, known as the Tod (no, this is not in any way another FOX AND THE HOUND) might be able to help them.
It is to director Rosen's credit that the film wisely refrains from any sugarcoating whatsoever: the struggle of these two canines is plagued with very real danger and dread. It is also ripe with brief but still quite horrifying moments of graphic violence: the most scary of which is when one of the dogs accidentally sets off a hunter's gun, shooting said human in the face. Luckily such scenes are not presented for the sake of violence, but as a means of telling its unflinchingly brutal tale.
Aesthetically, the film's animation can seem a bit rough -- it obviously lacks the lavish budget of, say, a Disney animated feature. Having said that, though, the actual artwork is more than adequate and fitting for this atmosphere. This is no doubt due to how Rosen chooses to stage the film like a live action feature, as evidenced with his dramatic camera angles. Further contributing to that atmosphere are the very fine vocal performances from its cast, which include John Hurt, Nigel Hawthorne, and in a surprise cameo toward the end, a then unknown Patrick Stewart.
Animated movies targeted purely toward adults are very rare to come by, especially from Western animation studios these days. That THE PLAGUE DOGS dares to do so makes it stand out among today's competition. But it also proved to be a tough sell in its initial release date in 1984 -- so intense was the subject matter that many audiences avoided the film like the plague (no pun intended), making it a box office failure. Over the years, however, the film has acquired a loyal cult following, and deservedly so.
The film is available in two different versions: the theatrical cut is 82 minutes long, and a longer, extended version clocks in at 105 minutes. This latter version has been very hard to find and rather rare. Recently, however, Shout Factory has brought both versions to Blu-Ray with stunning results. Both cuts look absolutely fantastic in high-definition, although there are some obvious places where some shots look as though they still have dirt and scratches on them. Given the difficulties for finding elements for the uncut scenes, it's understandable. The fifteen minute interview with Rosen is a nice bonus feature as well.
All in all, THE PLAGUE DOGS is most definitely NOT children's fare, and I strongly wouldn't suggest anyone under the age of 18 view this. However, for anyone looking for a great example of an animated feature that can stand as both a powerful "adult" film and different from the norm, you can't go wrong with this one. I give it my highest recommendation.
This time the subject is about animal experiments the human cruelty that goes along with it (think THE SECRET OF N.I.M.H., and you get the idea). Two dogs who undergo such torture, Snitter and Rowf, daringly choose to escape the scientists' lab and struggle to survive in the wilderness. But it proves to be a challenge, especially since neither canine has learned how to live in a harsh, brutal world, especially one where humans turn their noses up at them and the only way to live is by mauling sheep. Only a skillful fox, known as the Tod (no, this is not in any way another FOX AND THE HOUND) might be able to help them.
It is to director Rosen's credit that the film wisely refrains from any sugarcoating whatsoever: the struggle of these two canines is plagued with very real danger and dread. It is also ripe with brief but still quite horrifying moments of graphic violence: the most scary of which is when one of the dogs accidentally sets off a hunter's gun, shooting said human in the face. Luckily such scenes are not presented for the sake of violence, but as a means of telling its unflinchingly brutal tale.
Aesthetically, the film's animation can seem a bit rough -- it obviously lacks the lavish budget of, say, a Disney animated feature. Having said that, though, the actual artwork is more than adequate and fitting for this atmosphere. This is no doubt due to how Rosen chooses to stage the film like a live action feature, as evidenced with his dramatic camera angles. Further contributing to that atmosphere are the very fine vocal performances from its cast, which include John Hurt, Nigel Hawthorne, and in a surprise cameo toward the end, a then unknown Patrick Stewart.
Animated movies targeted purely toward adults are very rare to come by, especially from Western animation studios these days. That THE PLAGUE DOGS dares to do so makes it stand out among today's competition. But it also proved to be a tough sell in its initial release date in 1984 -- so intense was the subject matter that many audiences avoided the film like the plague (no pun intended), making it a box office failure. Over the years, however, the film has acquired a loyal cult following, and deservedly so.
The film is available in two different versions: the theatrical cut is 82 minutes long, and a longer, extended version clocks in at 105 minutes. This latter version has been very hard to find and rather rare. Recently, however, Shout Factory has brought both versions to Blu-Ray with stunning results. Both cuts look absolutely fantastic in high-definition, although there are some obvious places where some shots look as though they still have dirt and scratches on them. Given the difficulties for finding elements for the uncut scenes, it's understandable. The fifteen minute interview with Rosen is a nice bonus feature as well.
All in all, THE PLAGUE DOGS is most definitely NOT children's fare, and I strongly wouldn't suggest anyone under the age of 18 view this. However, for anyone looking for a great example of an animated feature that can stand as both a powerful "adult" film and different from the norm, you can't go wrong with this one. I give it my highest recommendation.