Movie Type: Family-Oriented Adventure, Animal Picture
Themes: Man's Best Friend
Main Cast: Tom Guiry, Helen Slater, Jon Tenney, Brittany Boyd, Frederic Forrest
Release Year: 1994
Country: US
Run Time: 92 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
The story of an intelligent, heroic collie and his young owner, previously featured in numerous films and a successful 1950s television series, was updated for the 1990s in this family feature. This time, Lassie is determined to help a cynical city boy named Matt (Thomas Guiry), who turns even more resentful when his family relocates to a small town in rural Virginia. Soon after this move, a bright collie enters the family's life and winds up with the name Lassie because of the television show, which Matt's younger sister (Brittany Boyd) watches passionately. Lassie sets out to cheer Matt up and introduce him to the wonders of nature, while also helping the family stand its ground against rich, unpleasant neighbors. There are also run-ins with vicious wild animals and a daring rescue over river rapids, but the main focus remains on the emotional relationship between Matt and the dog, a story that will seem old-fashioned and charming to some viewers while familiar and sentimental to others. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
Richard Farnsworth - Len Collins; Michelle Williams - April; Charlie Hofheimer - Jim Garland; Clayton Barclay Jones - Josh Garland; Yvonne Brisendine - Mrs. Jarman; Joe Inscoe - Pete Jarman; Lassie the Dog; Rick Warner - Timid Neighbor; Jordan Young - Smoking Boy; Gretchen Rennell
Credit
David Crank - Art Director, Gretchen Rennell - Casting, Robert Weatherwax - Consultant/advisor, Barnaby Thompson - Co-producer, Dinah Minot - Co-producer, Ingrid Price - Costume Designer, Christine Larson - First Assistant Director, Daniel Petrie - Director, Steve Mirkovich - Editor, Basil Poledouris - Composer (Music Score), Stacy Brownrigg - Musical Direction/Supervision, Harriett Landau - Makeup, Paul Peters - Production Designer, Kenneth MacMillan - Cinematographer, Lorne Michaels - Producer, Michael Rachmil - Producer, Matthew Jacobs - Screenwriter, Gary Ross - Screenwriter, Elizabeth Anderson - Screenwriter
The Turner family moves from the big city (Baltimore, Maryland) to the rural countryside in Virginia, hoping to start a new life. The move creates problems for everyone, especially 13-year old Matt, who feels lost and alone in his new surroundings. But a collie called Lassie helps him fit into his new life.
