Left in charge of the family farm while his father is away, a teenager gradually bonds with the stray dog ruining the family's crops in this Old West live action drama from Disney Studios. The ending of the film might be well-known, but much like 'White Heat' and 'Thelma & Louise' - which fall into the same boat - the film benefits by knowing what is coming and seeing everything progress with full knowledge of where it will lead. Tommy Kirk is also very good as the young protagonist placed into an awkward position as the man of the house with his father away. The less said about the rest of the cast the better. Both Dorothy McGuire and Fess Parker make little impression as his parents while Kevin Corcoran is grating as Kirk's constantly whining little brother. Corcoran's character is important in the narrative as his instant affection for the dog is half of what convinces Kirk to try accepting the rascal, however, it is hard not to wonder whether the film may have been better without Corcoran. Certainly, the best moments are the ones that Kirk shares alone with the dog. By the end of the film, one truly gets a sense of both the boy and the dog gradually come to like one another, something which renders the much talked about dénouement so dynamic. As per Disney norm, this is a bit of a sentimental movie, but the graphic conclusion is refreshingly hard-hitting.
Review of Old Yeller
