The Dog of Flanders Review - 93/100
Yes, you’ve read the rating right. I hardly ever give a movie a rating above 90/100, because of the limited time they have to work with, and this is the highest rating I’ve ever handed out to a movie. I knew that this was going to be a good movie because of the stories I’ve heard about the original novel, but I never expected that it would be THIS good. The Dog of Flanders has left me in an emotional wreck, and I honestly say that it’s been the best movie I’ve ever seen.
The people from Nippon Animation are true gods when it comes to adaptations. They always remain faithful and they always get the best out of their source material. If the source-material is such a tear-jerker as this one, the results really turn out amazing. This movie is heart-wrenching, from start to finish. It never shows any moments of weakness, and when one grievingly sad scene ends, you can be sure that it’ll be followed by an even sadder scene next.
The story makes perfect use of the amazing characters. No character feels incomplete, they all have their own subtle backgrounds, they all well-developed characters with their own well-defined roles. Even the small side-characters have a personality, and they work so incredibly well with the main characters. The only thing that isn’t absolutely stellar about this movie are the visuals. After all, it has been animated by Nippon Animation, and it dates back from 1997, so the art style does look simple.
But that should be no reason to not check out this movie. Over the past few months, I’ve watched a lot of different movies, and I kept nitpicking on how they always came out flawed somehow, and how each movie, despite its good points, didn’t quite make it to become truly memorable. This is why I often prefer TV-series. But a Dog of Flanders is different. It’s a true masterpiece, and it’s a real shame that so little people seem to have watched it. Both AniDB, Anime News Network and MyAnimeList have just thirty people who voted for it. If you’re looking for a sad story, then The Dog of Flanders should be the first on your list to check out.
I don’t know if I want to watch something that will leave me in despair.
Sorry. I had to do it.
But I’ll take your word for it. I’ll watch it when I know no one will be around to watch me cry. :P
Comment by Ipsod — February 17, 2008 @ 16:56
same as Ipsod,not in the mood right now but i’ll keep it in mind!
Thanks psgels,getting to know about gems like these is one of the reasons i read your blog.
Comment by totoum — February 17, 2008 @ 17:19
I did not feel one itty bitty sad while watching this. It was a waste of my time.
Comment by DmonHiro — February 17, 2008 @ 21:11
I told you Nippon Animation movies were heartbreaking, I saw this when I was younger and this really isn’t a movie for kids because it is just way too depressing but I can appreciate way more as an adult for its beauty and touching ending. I definetely have to recommend Marco for Nippon’s second best movie, and the series is great too.
Comment by Chris — February 17, 2008 @ 23:21
Even if I didn’t completely understand the story when I watched it as a kid, it sure did leave an impression on me. Yeah, it was great…
Comment by meganeshounen — February 18, 2008 @ 7:31
Any idea where we could find this anime movie? It’s not on either netflix or animesuki
Comment by silentv — February 19, 2008 @ 8:48
Ah I forgot to mention that even if the visuals weren’t the greatest, the church scene at the end was one of the most beautiful parts in an anime movie ever.
Comment by Chris — February 19, 2008 @ 9:07
Silentv: I found it on the irc-channel #ila on irc.rizon.net. Be careful, though, they tend to have rather strict rules.
Chris: yes, the church scene was a beautiful one.
Comment by psgels — February 19, 2008 @ 9:29
Glad I was able to check up on this site. This seems to be a nice find and will add this to my watch list. Thanks for showcasing this title on your site.
Comment by Hinode — February 20, 2008 @ 12:39
Please Seed it. I mean torrent form ILA.
Comment by Orphey — June 11, 2008 @ 17:45
Heidi was the first adaptation of a well known novel before the creation of Nippon Animation, which then continues each year adapting another novel. ‘A Dog of Flanders’ was the first of many to follow. ‘3000 RI in Search of Mother’ (a.k.a. From the Apennines to the Andes) followed ‘Flanders’ as another tragic story, however with a much happier ending. As tragic as some of the series were, they are worth every minute you spend watching them. If you get a hold of the series on DVD, don’t pass it up! I warn you, however, it is heart wrenching. Everything that can possibly happen to the poor boy, happens!
Comment by Alfredo — December 6, 2008 @ 23:06
Waaah. . . T_T
Yes, this is really a very touching, poignant anime adaptation of the novel. I loved to draw when I was a little kid so while I was watching this then I felt great empathy with Nello (love dogs too). I don’t remember if I cried when I watched the end but the fact that I still remember Nello, his dog and the milk cart after all this time more than proves how emotional this show was.
BTw, Psgels, have you watched Remi, Nobody’s Boy? It’s seriously good, much better than the girl version.
Comment by Hettan — August 23, 2009 @ 8:02
I would love to watch Nobody’s Boy, but I can’t find it anywhere. If you know where to find it Id’be happy because the only thing I managed to locate so far is a bunch of French dubs, and my French is terrible.
Comment by psgels — August 23, 2009 @ 8:43
Can’t find any on the web, just the first and last episode on youtube. I’ve been wanting to watch WMT productions again, I’ll see if I can find an english sub copy of it on my favorite store and make it available online this week.
Oh, and another good anime to watch is Romeo’s Blue Sky aka Romeo and the Black Brothers.
Comment by Hettan — August 24, 2009 @ 11:35
Where can I watch the Japanese version of this?
Comment by Firechick — April 16, 2010 @ 0:41
Earlier today, I watched this movie in English and…I seriously cried like a baby…TWICE! This is sooooo going on my top 20! It was so sad yet so beautiful all at the same time! I NEED to recommend this to everyone I know! I wanna get the DVD for this (though it’s out of print and appallingly expensive) or watch the Japanese version (where can I find it?). I loved EVERYTHING about this durned movie!
Comment by Firechick — April 18, 2010 @ 2:37