Greyfriars Bobby

History and Review written by Michael J. Ruhland














Michael's Movie Grade:A+
Year Released:1961

                                                                 History
Greyfriars Bobby was a return to Britian for the Disney studio. Disney started making live action films in Britain with 1950's Treasure Island. This was done because the studio had made money in Britain that the government wouldn't allow to be spent in the U.S.A.. He followed this with three more live action British films, The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men, The Sword and the Rose and Rob Roy: The Highland Rouge. Though this ended the studio's original four British films, they would return to Britian occosianlly over the years. Greyfriars Bobby was one of those films. 

It was also the first Disney film directed by Don Chaffey, who later directed The Three Lives of Thomasina and Pete's Dragon (1977) for Disney. Because this film was made in Britain, it didn't feature Disney's usual live action actors and actresses. However some people appearing in this film, had appeared in Disney films before. For instance Laurence Naismith played a small role earlier in Third Man on the Mountain and Duncan Macrae, Andrew Cruickshank and Alex Mackenzie had all played small roles in Kidnapped.

This film was also the next to last film for actor Donald Crisp. Donald Crisp had been appearing in films since 1908 (with a short called The French Maid). Over his career Crisp had appeared in such films as The Birth of a Nation, Broken Blossoms, The Black Pirate, Jezebel, and How Green is my Valley. He also played the mayor in Pollyanna for Disney. He had also worked as a director, co-directing The Navigator with Buster Keaton, and he directed by himself Don Q Son of Zorro starring Douglas Fairbanks.

The film received very positive reviews from critics. However it did not do well at the box office.

Greyfriars Bobby was based on a believed to be true story (or a book about that story) about a dog who guarded his masters grave. However in recent years there has been some argument as to whether the story was actually true. This is because there is now evidence that supports there being two dogs and neither of them belonged to the man whose grave they sat by. However as it often does the legend trumps the fact, on the basis that people love a good story.


                                                                      

                                                        Review

Incredibly moving and heartwarming film.

This is a rather slow paced movie, but it uses that slow place perfectly to it's advantage. The town of Greyfriars is as much a character in this film as Bobby himself. This slower pace lets the atmosphere of this town fully come to life. With the atmosphere being so vivid, the story and characters become more compelling. Every character has a distinct personality that really shows though out the film, and this just adds to the great atmosphere. The scenes involving Old Jock are extremely moving and even profound. This is due to a great sense of atmosphere and great characters.

Like nearly all Disney films of this era, the movie looks really good. The art direction (by Michael Stringer) couldn't be better, and neither could Paul Beesons' cinematography.

A must watch.

                                                  Film Credits
Director: Don Chaffey
Writer: Robert Westerby
Based on a book by Eleanor Atkinson    
Cast: Donald Crisp (James Brown), Laurence Naismith (Mr.. Traill) , Alex Mackenzie (Auld Jock), Duncan Macrae (Sgt. Davie Maclean), Andrew Cruickshank (Lord Provost), Gordon Jackson (Farmer), Rosalie Crutchley (Farmer's Wife), Freda Jackson (Caretaker), Moultrie Kelsall (Magistrate), Joyce Carey (First Lady), Vincent Winter (Tammy), Jameson Clark (Constable), Jack Lambert (Doctor), Joan Juliet Buck (Allie), Hamish Wilson (Hamish), Kay Walsh (Mrs. Brown), Geoffrey Bayldon (Vicar), John Breslin (News Correspondent), Betty Duncan (Woman), Damaris Hayman (Woman), Andrew Keir (Constable), Gerald Lawson (Man), Gennie Nevinson (Farmer's Daughter), Alec Paterson (Doctor), Robin Stewart (Jodie Ross)
Producers: Walt Disney, Hugh Attwool
Music: Francis Chargin
Cinematographer: Paul Beesons
Editor: Peter Tanner
Set Decorator: Vernon Dixon
 Art Director: Michael Stringer
Casting: Maude Spector
Costume Designer: Margret Furse
Makeup Artist: Harry Frampton
Hair Stylist: Barbara Ritchie
Production Manger: Peter Manley
Assistant Directors: Dennis Bertera, Graina O'Shannon
Special Effects: Albert Whitlock
Draughtsman: Norman Dorme
Sound Artists: Red Law, Terry Poultan, Norman Bolland, Malcom Stewart

                                                       Resources Used
 The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054944/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2021906/Greyfriars-Bobby-hoax-Dog-kept-vigil-masters-grave-publicity-stunt.html
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Greyfriars%20Bobby

-Michael J. Ruhland