Plot Details: This opinion reveals everything about the movie's plot.

When I noticed that one of my favorite dog movies was coming on late night cable, I had to tune in and watch. Little did I know, how deeply affected I would be by watching this 1995 film. I will simply say that this is one heck of a powerful family movie.

Far From Home: The Adventures of YELLOW DOG stars Jesse Bradford as Angus McCormick. He is a lot like other young teenage boys his age who live on a sprawling piece of land with all of nature as his backyard playground. Well, almost......


~~ The Plot ~~

Angus and his younger brother are living the good life with their beautiful mother (Mimi Rogers) and knowledgeable father (Bruce Davidson). The boys learn many wonderful lessons from their dad. They are learning how to survive in the wilderness should they ever find themselves in a situation that would require basic survival skills.

Boating, fishing and hunting trips are opportunities for learning for Angus and his little bro. One day, Angus finds a Labrador Retriever and brings him home in hopes that his parents will allow him to keep the dog. What ensues is the sweetest story of love and friendship between a boy and his dog. The art of survival is well played out by young Jesse Bradford.

Angus names his big golden haired dog, Yellow. The entire family soon realizes that YELLOW DOG is extremely intelligent and is eager to please his new young master. The interactions between YELLOW DOG and the family makes it immediately evident that this is one very special dog who has a gentle and kind nature. So when Angus and his father go on a boating trip, it was decided to bring Yellow along for the ride.

Suddenly, Angus, his father and the dog are caught in a horrible violent storm that wrecks havoc on their small boat! The high winds and wild waters overturn the boat and only the father is rescued and makes it back.

Lucky for Angus, he manages to swim to dry land with the help of his big courageous friend. As I watched this heartwarming tale my eyes swelled many times with happy tears. Yellow Dog helped Angus through many difficult and almost impossible situations during their nearly three weeks in the wilderness.

There are many touching scenes between Yellow and Angus as they help each other to survive the dangerous terrain. I was most touched when YELLOW DOG presents a rabbit to starving Angus! The look in the canine's eyes is priceless!

The search party is called in to help find Angus. After several days, they consider giving up the search!! Amazingly though, the tenacious mother and insistent father, is enough to resume the search.

When Angus is finally found, he wants to bring YELLOW DOG into the rescue helicopter but was told that the copter would return for the hero dog. But, as the helicopter lifts Angus into the air, his foot accidentally kicks Yellow and he plunges some 100 feet into the ocean below!! Although somewhat predictable, this was a difficult scene to watch. Poor YELLOW DOG!!

After a three week search for the dog, all hope is given up. Much to Angus' dismay, the search is discontinued. The entire family is saddened by this, but Angus would never give up on his best friend's survival. He and his dad put out signs asking for help in finding his lost dog.

The scenery in The Adventures of Yellow Dog is totally mind blowing. The majestic evergreens, the crystal clear blue skies, the magnificent beauty of the surrounding lands will take your breath away as it did mine time and again!

The ending is a tearjerker happy ending. Yellow is alive!!! He is beaten up, very dirty and haggard, but ALIVE!!! The music swells! The tears are free-flowing...the mom, the dad hug and kiss each other! The baby boy runs, Linus type blanket blowing behind him in the wind as he happily joins his brother Angus in welcoming Yellow Dog home!!!! The moment is blissful, albeit predictable, still blissful.

The camera pulls up and away as we, the viewers, are drawn into the emotional reunion.


~~ Final Thoughts ~~

The dog is the real hero in this all around perfect family movie. Writer and director Phillip Borsos does a fine job directing many of the suspense and action scenes while Angus is lost in the wilds. The dog is well-trained and is a qualified best supporting actor in the best animal category...he would win hands down..if there were such a contest!

I really enjoyed watching Far From Home: The Adventures of Yellow Dog It was a welcome lighthearted change of pace from many recent films I have viewed. This is the type of adventure/family/action/ children's movie that deserves a viewing every once in a while.


~~ Recommendations ~~

I do recommend Far From Home: The Adventures of YELLOW DOG to all families as a tool for bonding as well as learning. Young adventurous boys and girls will see what it is like to think on their feet when put into unpredictable and dangerous situations, like encountering wild animals or searching for food.

This is a great movie for Boy and Girl Scout troops.

As a mother, I would endorse this film for children who are as young as seven or eight, if they are mature. Some children might find the survival scenes a bit "scary" to watch.





Recommended: Yes

Video Occasion: Good for Groups
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 9 - 12