Where the Red Fern Grows

Where the Red Fern Grows:  Film, 1974 - based on the novel by Wilson Rawls

Studio: Westamerica Film Director: Norman Tokar Run time: 97 minutes

Plot: Set in the Ozarks of Oklahoma, 12 year old Billy Coleman dreams of having his own hunting dogs.  Against the initial wishes of his mother (but having a quiet advocate in his father), Billy works hard to earn enough money to mail order two coon dogs.  With the mentoring guidance of his Grandpa (played by legendary actor James Whitmore), Billy soon has his dream.  Old Dan and L’il Ann become a part of Billy’s family and soon Billy and his two hunting dogs are out in the night hours tracking raccoons.  Word spreads throughout the county that young Billy Coleman and his two coon dogs are quite a successful team.  With the boyish inspiration of his Grandpa, Billy enters a raccoon hunting contest and finds himself in the midst of not only competition, but danger.  With Grandpa and his father accompanying him, Billy is a sure win…or is he?  And finally, as the film comes to its close, Billy’s love for his dogs and theirs for him, pays the ultimate price, with the “red fern” naming its meaning with the final panoramic view of Billy’s beloved home.

Review/Personal thoughts:  This classic film addresses the universal ideas of love, sacrifice, family, hard work, and the connection between humans and animals.  Billy’s dream speaks to a young person’s desire to make his/her own road, to work hard for something he/she wants with honesty and integrity.  Billy faces challenges in a story that deals with surviving amidst how others may perceive you, but being undaunted by those views.  The film captures the love of family and the simple joys of life.  This film, while adapted from a classic novel, does a reasonable job at poignantly displaying Wilson Rawls’ message.  However, the musical score lends itself to “cheesiness” and might well distract the tween viewer from the storyline.  Rarely is a film as good as the book, and while this proves true in this viewer’s experience, it was a joy to see the images of this classic novel come to life.

Rated: G

Interest Level: Ages 8 and up