There have been sci-fi movies of the past that rarely get talked about outside of their cult circles, whether it'd be because they didn't leave much of an impact upon their original release or because they were simply too bizarre and out there to be analyzed. In the case of A Boy and His Dog, a 1975 film adaptation of Harlan Ellison's fantasy novella, it has often been cited as one of the most fascinating cinematic journeys through sci-fi of its time. While made independently and therefore cheaper than your average dystopian sci-fi flick, there's quite a lot to dissect from the movie overall.
The film focuses on a young man named Vic and a telepathic dog named Blood, who roam through a barbaric post apocalyptic wasteland of the Southwestern United States. When Vic and Blood find one place that is free of wear damage, they also encounter peculiar attitudes and methods of life. From that premise alone, it's clear that the biggest theme throughout the feature is the distinction between Utopias and Dystopias and how they would appear in a hazardous future. It was believed in Ellison's original novella that conventional humankind would turn on against itself once destroyed by nuclear war and brink of starvation, and the film utilizes these ideologies by showcasing how horrific humanity can become. As the first act appropriately sets up how unpredictable the outcome of danger can be for two unlikely anti-heroes like Vic and Blood, the filmmakers allow their chemistry to grow based on their witty gun-handy dialogue and the unfortunate circumstances they are confronted with. Be it barbarians or food shortage, there's no telling what our two leads may have to struggle with to survive.
However, by the second act, a lot of their normal struggles are tempted by Quilla June, a strangely seductive young woman who lurks from Downunder, an underground society showing all activity and no progress of development. With all of the horrific realities shown from the current state of mankind, this underground society would seem like a breath of fresh air in contrast, with lots of carnivals and cheerful people dancing all around. And yet, it's through the disgusting nature of Quilla June and the people who rule Downunder that the place is more of a figurative and borderline literal underworld. While the third act almost feels like a completely different story out of context, it shows how even a tough rebel like Vic can be at the brink of disaster if his trust falls into the wrong person. Even with several technical shortcomings, the low budget allows the world of Downunder to speak for itself with minimal sets and a creepy amusement park aesthetic that would even disturb Pennywise. Perhaps sticking to man's best friend through broad landscapes is a better alternative than starting anew.
After over 46 years since its release in the world, there are very few movies that have been executed so bizarrely yet filled with so much intrigue and imagination as A Boy and his Dog. Considering that the more well known Mad Max movies are said to be inspired by this crazy nut of a feature, it's easy to say that a lot can be taken out of a movie made for so little. If you're a fan of Ellison's work or seeking out an indie cult film unlike anything within your usual watchlist, I'd say give this flick a chance. One thing to be said about viewing this movie on first glance is that you'll have marvelous judgement, if not particularly good taste.
The film focuses on a young man named Vic and a telepathic dog named Blood, who roam through a barbaric post apocalyptic wasteland of the Southwestern United States. When Vic and Blood find one place that is free of wear damage, they also encounter peculiar attitudes and methods of life. From that premise alone, it's clear that the biggest theme throughout the feature is the distinction between Utopias and Dystopias and how they would appear in a hazardous future. It was believed in Ellison's original novella that conventional humankind would turn on against itself once destroyed by nuclear war and brink of starvation, and the film utilizes these ideologies by showcasing how horrific humanity can become. As the first act appropriately sets up how unpredictable the outcome of danger can be for two unlikely anti-heroes like Vic and Blood, the filmmakers allow their chemistry to grow based on their witty gun-handy dialogue and the unfortunate circumstances they are confronted with. Be it barbarians or food shortage, there's no telling what our two leads may have to struggle with to survive.
However, by the second act, a lot of their normal struggles are tempted by Quilla June, a strangely seductive young woman who lurks from Downunder, an underground society showing all activity and no progress of development. With all of the horrific realities shown from the current state of mankind, this underground society would seem like a breath of fresh air in contrast, with lots of carnivals and cheerful people dancing all around. And yet, it's through the disgusting nature of Quilla June and the people who rule Downunder that the place is more of a figurative and borderline literal underworld. While the third act almost feels like a completely different story out of context, it shows how even a tough rebel like Vic can be at the brink of disaster if his trust falls into the wrong person. Even with several technical shortcomings, the low budget allows the world of Downunder to speak for itself with minimal sets and a creepy amusement park aesthetic that would even disturb Pennywise. Perhaps sticking to man's best friend through broad landscapes is a better alternative than starting anew.
After over 46 years since its release in the world, there are very few movies that have been executed so bizarrely yet filled with so much intrigue and imagination as A Boy and his Dog. Considering that the more well known Mad Max movies are said to be inspired by this crazy nut of a feature, it's easy to say that a lot can be taken out of a movie made for so little. If you're a fan of Ellison's work or seeking out an indie cult film unlike anything within your usual watchlist, I'd say give this flick a chance. One thing to be said about viewing this movie on first glance is that you'll have marvelous judgement, if not particularly good taste.