HOMEWARD BOUND: THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY

US, 1993, 84 minutes, Colour.
Robert Hays, Kim Griest. Voices of Michael J. Fox, Don Ameche, Sally Field.
Directed by DuWayne? Dunham.

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey is an entertaining family film from the Disney Studios. Reminiscent of so many of the animal features of the '50s and '60s, the film focuses on a family and its pets, the family having to go to the city, the pets being put out for care but feeling abandoned and trying to wend their way back home.

The film has the attraction of north-western United States mountain scenery, but its main attraction is in the animals. However, the animals are not just themselves but are given human voices - star voices with that of Michael J. Fox as the young dog, Don Ameche as the elderly dog and Sally Field as the cat. The voices are so persuasive that one finds oneself thinking that the animals are actually speaking! Entertaining for the adults because of the voice characterisations, entertaining for children with the focus on the animals.

1.Popular family entertainment? For all ages?

2.The appeal of the animals, of dogs, of cats? The tradition of the movies about animals? The significance of the voices, the characterisations, giving human feelings, sentiments and words to the animals?

3.The American north-west, the rugged mountains, the beauty of the mountains, the animals?

4.The stars and their voices, the emotional effect, comic effect?

5.The situation at home, the young dog and his telling his story, an orphan, suspicious? In the home, wary of the children and their abandoning him? The relationship with the wise old dog, with the cat? The portrait of the children, their mother and the relationships, the stepfather and his having to go to the city? The situation of leaving the animals behind?

6.The portrait of the human family, parents and their concern, the children, not wanting to move, their over-emotional reactions, bad manners? In the city, the news of the lost animals, their reactions? Hostility to the stepfather? The stepfather and his work at the university, the computer printout, discussions with the police, the search? The growing bonds with the children? Finding the animals and the happy reunion?

7.The animals delivered to the farm, the horses, the supervisor and her care? Her leaving the note? The horse trainer and his misunderstanding the note?

8.The police, their concern, dealing with the children, helping the search?

9.The animals and their feeling abandoned, their perspective, ways of talking, their fear, relating as a group?

10.The old dog leading the animals back, the experience of dangers, the terrain, hunted, the wild animals - and the young dog and the tricks? The cat, her drowning - but surviving? Found by the old-timer and cared for?

11.The hardships of the journey, the finding of food, the need for rest, the use of instinct?

12.The courage of the journey, the struggles, finding the city, returning home? Getting through the town itself, the dangers from trains and vehicles? The happy reunion?

13.The basic story and its universal appeal, animals, human values?