A Boy And His Dog

(1975)

"A rather kinky tale of survival."

"A Boy And His Dog" is definately a cult classic, but defies being more neatly categorized beyond that genre. It's been labeled alternately and collectively as being "misogynistic", "the greatest Science Fiction movie ever made", "black comedy", and as a "cross between George Orwell and Mel Brooks" (the last description is my personal favorite), to list a few. Although it is true that the film is rather misogynistic, I don't find this a fault; the film is supposed to be portraying a terrible, possible future reality. And it may not be nice, folks.

"A Boy And His Dog" was directed by L.Q. Jones, a character bit actor favored by Sam Peckinpah for his westerns, and is based on the novella of the same name by Sci-Fi legend Harlan Ellison (who by all accounts loved the film version).

It takes place in the year 2024, after WWIV has ravaged the earth's civilization, rendering it into a post-apocalyptic desert where humans have become complete scavengers. A very young, relatively unknown Don Johnson (way before his days in TV's "Miami Vice") stars as Vic, a young "solo" as the loners are called, trying to stay alive in this post-atomic desert of a world. Veteran actor Jason Robards appears in a small part as a favor to Jones. Vic's companion, friend, and mentor is a sheepdog named Blood. The dog, named Tiger in real life, was a very popular animal actor of the times in addition to being an extremely well-trained and appealing performer, and also was the family dog on the TV show "The Brady Bunch."

Vic and Blood share a special bond, and the two communicate telepathically.

Don't laugh at that last remark; it's done very well in the film.

An element that could have ruined the film if not done carefully is, however, handled perfectly. Although it was suggested that animation be used to make it appear as if the dog's mouth is moving, thankfully none was used, and Tiger's masterful performance, combined with his scruffy, gravelly, world-weary, old-west voice, provided by Tim McIntire, makes for some of the best acting in the film, and also some of the best lines. Blood literally sniffs out women for Vic to have sex with, helps Vic be on the lookout for other packs of scavengers trying to kill him and each other in the ongoing fight over food and women, and Vic does the shooting and the foraging for food. In addition the two are best friends, with Blood being the most intelligent by far. It seems that in the future, people have become the real animals.

The elements of caustically dark humor and dry dialogue (the dog gets the best lines) helps carry the film. And while this is in no way "the best Science Fiction movie ever made", in my opinion, it's certainly a great one, along with others of its time such as "Soylent Green". There are practically no special effects; the scenery and sets are cheap and minimalist, letting the characters and script tell the story, for the most part. This isn't an overly-laden with special effects film like many of the ones made these days.

In case this whole scenario seems reminiscent of another, more famous film, "Mad Max", that may be because "A Boy And His Dog" inspired "Mad Max"; however I find this film to be superior.  And the ending is...well you will just have to see it.