Forget the over-hyped Chronicles of Narnia - this film has more character and soul than 100 CGI-pumped fantasy extravaganzas. Think Kes with a happy ending. Based on the 1942 novel by Eric Knight rather than the American TV series. Set at the outbreak of WW2 in a Yorkshire mining village, its the story of the social injustice, separation and ultimately reunion of boy and dog. There are no cheesy Lassie rescue scenes, no "What's that Lassie?", "woof woof", "Someone trapped down the well?", "woof woof", and little Joe Carraclough (played by Jonathan Mason) is heart-breakingly believable - a refreshing change from the annoying overacting of many child stars. Yes, I cried when he was forced to say goodbye to Lassie, and I will never forget the look on my 5-year-old son's face when Lassie eventually made it back from Scotland. Clever enough for a teenager/adult to enjoy, and enough comic turns and doggy scenes to entertain the very young. Bring your Kleenex...