Lassie
On their way to start a new life at a sheep farm in rural Virginia, the Turner family are halted by a wreck on the highway that has claimed the life of a truck driver. Spotting the trucker's now-abandoned collie on the side of the road, they take pity on the dog and adopt her. As the city family copes with the change to rural life, including a feud with a neighboring farm family who resent the city interlopers, the ever-loyal Lassie helps them adjust to their new surroundings.
Critics Sentiment
Matt rescues Josh from raging river but falls in himself
Lassie saves Matt but goes over the waterfall herself
The film's most dramatic shift occurs from the heroic river rescue peak to Lassie's apparent death, dropping over 4 points in emotional impact.
The sentiment arc follows a classic family film pattern, starting with modest appeal during setup and character conflicts. The middle section builds through various Lassie heroics to an emotional crescendo during the river rescue sequence. The brief devastation of Lassie's apparent death quickly rebounds to a satisfying uplifting conclusion.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 22
Tom Guiry
Matthew Turner
Helen Slater
Laura Turner
Jon Tenney
Steve Turner
Brittany Boyd
Jennifer Turner
Frederic Forrest
Sam Garland
Richard Farnsworth
Len Collins
Michelle Williams
April Porter
Joe Inscoe
Pete Jarman
Yvonne Erickson
Mrs. Jarman
Clayton Barclay Jones
Josh Garland
Charlie Hofheimer
Jim Garland
Jody Smith Strickler
Mildred Garland
Margaret Peery
Mrs. Parker
David Bridgewater
Customer
Earnest Poole Jr.
Highway Patrolman #1
Jeffrey H. Gray
Highway Patrolman #2
Robert B. Brittain
Grommet Foreman
Rick Warner
Timid Neighbor
Kelly L. Edwards
Smoking Girl
Jordan Young
Smoking Boy
Crew
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