The Incredible Journey *** (1963, Émile Genest, John Drainie, Tommy Tweed, Sandra Scott) – Classic Movie Review 8577

‘Three against the wilderness… nothing could stop them – only instinct to guide them across 200 perilous miles of Canadian wilderness!’

The animal cast – Muffy as Bodger the bull terrier, Syn Cat as Tao the Siamese cat and Rink as Luath the Labrador – are the stars of Fletcher Markle’s lovely 1963 Walt Disney live action family adventure drama The Incredible Journey about three animals crossing more than 200 miles of Canadian wilderness to reach home after they all lose their owners while on holiday.

Beautiful mountain photography (by Kenneth Peach, Jack Couffer and Lloyd Beebe), the cute star trio and a host of other animal co-stars (including grizzlies, a porcupine and a lion) make this a family treat. It is just a shame that the humans (Émile Genest, John Drainie, Tommy Tweed, Sandra Scott) aren’t so interesting.

Co-producer James Algar’s screenplay is based on the book by Sheila Burnford.

Rex Allen is the voice of the Narrator.

Also in the cast are Syme Jago, Marion Finlayson, Ronald Cohoon, Robert Christie, Beth Lockerbie and Jan Rubes.

Sequel in 1993: Homeward Bound, The Incredible Journey.

Though Bodger the bull terrier is a male, Muffy the dog playing the part is female.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8577

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