A DOG OF FLANDERS

US, 1999, 96 minutes, Colour.
Jack Warden, Jon Voight, Jeremy James Kissner, Jesse James, Steven Hartley, Andrew Bignell, James Garde, Cheryl Ladd.
Directed by Kevin Brodie.

A Dog of Flanders has been filmed many times, based on a story by the English-born writer, Ouida, author of Under Two Flags and Moths. It was filmed as early as 1914 with later versions in 1922, a popular Hollywood version in 1959, a manga version and this film of 1999.

Like the 1959 film it used Belgian locations and Antwerp. It is quite a colourful production, reproducing the cathedral, the town square and the costumes and decor of the 19th century.

The film is about a young boy, Nello (played by Jeremy James Kissner and Jesse James) who lives with his grandfather (Jack Warden) and, eventually, a large dog which they find wounded by the roadside. The young boy, like his mother, is able to sketch well and draws the attention of an art teacher, Jon Voight. There are several English actors in the cast, like Steven Hartley, as well as a cameo for Cheryl Ladd. A number of Flemish actors and actresses are in the cast.

The film is not so much about the dog as about the boy, his dead mother, his grandfather, his friendship with a local girl, his falling out with her father because of his poverty, accused of setting fire to a barn, hounded by the townspeople after the death of his grandfather. There is fanciful sequence at the end when he takes refuge in the cathedral, is visited by Peter Paul Rubens, the painter of Antwerp, praised highly in the film. It is a fantasy sequence, Nello thinking that he has died, sees his mother and grandfather again, gets wonderful advice from Rubens – only to find that he is still alive and receives the acclamation of the townspeople.

1. The film for children? For adults? The family? the dog? Themes?

2. The title, the setting, Belgium, Antwerp, the towns, the squares, the mills, the outskirts? The seasons? The musical score?

3. The theme of art, sketches, art teachers, Peter Paul Rubens, his painting in the Cathedral? The discussion about Rubens and his career? The fantasy at the end, his coming to life, showing Nello the painting, taking him out of the Cathedral?

4. Nello’s mother, the opening credits, walking through the blizzard, going to her father, her death, bequeathing the sketches? Keeping the baby’s father secret?

5. Nello’s story, with his grandfather, carting the milk, the customers, William and his friendship? Nello’s age, the bond with Alouise, the drawings, her posing, playing together, love for Alouise, his prospects? Poverty? The stories of his mother?

6. The dog, the cruel owner, leaving it by the wayside, Nello reviving it, at home, later meeting the owner, the fight with Michel, the owner’s death?

7. The town square, Nello meeting Michel, the other art teacher and his pupil? Going to the cathedral to see the Rubens, the priest, wanting money, his anger at the dog’s presence? Michel and his support? The later contest and the winner?

8. Nicholas, his background, the mill, suspicious of Nello, love for Alouise, tolerating the friendship, later forbidding it, for Alouise’s prospects? Nello’s grandfather making the doll for her birthday, Nello bringing it? the night of the fire, his being blamed, anger, the town against him? Nicholas believing the landowner? The maid finally telling the truth? Nello finding the purse in the snow, restoring it, leaving the house, wandering the city, people searching for him?

9. The dog, big, the breed, left for dead, revived, with the cart, continually with Nello? Nello leaving him with Nicholas in the family, his going with Nicholas to search for Nello?

10. Alouise, nice, her mother, having Nello’s mother’s secret? Alouise with her father? Millie and her role in the house? Alouise’s friendship with Nello, going to the scene which his mother sketched, posing for him?

11. William, genial, drinking the milk, helping Nello after the accusation?

12. Michel, as a teacher, wealth, his advice and coaching for Nello, going to Rome, his return? His speech at the contest but his vote not prevailing?

13. Grandfather, at home, his daughter, helping with the fire, his death, the funeral?

14. The Cathedral, Nello and Rubens, Nello’s dying, the talk about the heart and painting, Rubens knowing all about him, encouraging him, everybody advising to paint from the heart? Seeing his mother and grandfather? His funeral? Michel coming back, acknowledging that he was Nello’s father?

15. The fantasy, Nello’s revival, his life restored, finding his father?