A Dog of Flanders (1999 film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids A Dog of Flanders |
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DVD cover
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| Directed by | Kevin Brodie |
| Produced by | Frank Yablans |
| Screenplay by | Kevin Brodie Robert Singer |
| Starring |
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| Music by | Richard Friedman |
| Cinematography | Walther van den Ende |
| Editing by | Annamaria Szanto |
| Studio | Woodbridge Films |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
| Release date(s) | 27 August 1999 (USA) |
| Running time | 113 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $7 million |
| Money made | $2,165,637 |
A Dog of Flanders is a heartwarming movie from 1999. It was directed by Kevin Brodie. The film stars actors like Jack Warden, Jeremy James Kissner, and Jon Voight. The story for the movie comes from a famous book called A Dog of Flanders. This book was written by Ouida in 1872. The movie was filmed in Belgium. It is the fifth film based on this classic story.
Contents
The Story of Nello and Patrasche
The movie begins with a young artist named Mary Daas. She is very poor and travels with her baby son, Nello. Mary is very sick and asks her father, Jehaan Daas, to care for Nello. Jehaan promises to look after his grandson. He helps Nello grow into a kind and smart young man.
A New Friend
Nello and Jehaan live a simple life. They earn money by delivering milk to the city of Antwerp. People in the city like and respect them. One day, they find a dog in the woods. The dog is hurt and left alone. Jehaan and Nello take the dog home. They help him get better. Nello names the dog Patrasche. From that day on, Nello and Patrasche are always together. Nello also loves to draw. With Jehaan's help, he becomes a good artist. He often draws Patrasche. His drawings look a lot like his mother's art.
Friendship and Dreams
Nello soon introduces Patrasche to his best friend, Aloise. She is the daughter of Nicholas Cogez, who owns the local mill. Nello and Jehaan face problems with their landlord, Stephens. Despite this, Nello dreams of winning a famous art contest. He hopes this will help him gain respect in the art world. Aloise supports Nello completely. So does William, the friendly blacksmith.
Nello meets a famous artist named Michel La Grande. They meet near a statue of Peter Paul Rubens. Michel helps Nello with his art. He becomes Nello's teacher. Michel then leaves for a trip to Rome.
Growing Up and Challenges
As years pass, Nello and Aloise grow up. They become very close friends. They even decide to get married. But Aloise's father, Nicholas, does not approve. He forbids Nello from seeing Aloise. Nicholas's wife, Anna, tries to help, but he won't listen. Nello finds comfort when Michel returns from Rome. Michel continues to teach Nello.
Later, Stephens accidentally causes a fire at Nicholas's mill. Stephens had been careless near the mill shed. The next morning, people discover that Nello had visited Aloise. He had given her a birthday gift. Stephens uses this to blame Nello for the fire. Nicholas believes the lie. He gets angry and blames Nello. Jehaan tries to defend Nello. Stephens then takes over Nello's milk delivery route. After Jehaan sadly passes away, Stephens evicts Nello and Patrasche from their home. William, who still trusts Nello, offers them a place to stay. But Nello feels he must go.
A Christmas Miracle
On Christmas Day, Nello waits for the art contest results. Michel announces that Nello did not win. Robert Kessler, the Mayor's son, wins instead. Nello and Patrasche are left out in the cold. They wander in a snowstorm. Patrasche finds Nicholas's wallet buried in the snow. It is full of money. Nello returns the wallet to the mill. He leaves Patrasche behind, hoping the dog will have a better life. Nicholas is upset about losing his money. He gets angry when he sees Patrasche. But Anna explains what happened. At dinner, their servant Millie tells the truth about the fire. Nicholas is shocked. He gathers his family and neighbors to find Nello. Patrasche runs ahead into the storm.
Meanwhile, Nello goes to the Cathedral in Antwerp for shelter. Patrasche finds him there. They rest in front of a famous painting by Rubens. Nello dreams of being reunited with his family. His mother, Mary, tells him it is not his time to leave. She says she will always love him.
A Happy Reunion
Nello wakes up and sees the search party. Aloise knew Nello would go to the Cathedral. Nicholas apologizes to Nello for his false accusations. Michel then arrives. He gives Nello a medal he won in a past art contest. Nello mentions that Michel knew his mother. Michel is surprised. Anna explains that Mary never told anyone that Michel was Nello's father. She had kept it a secret. Michel and Nello hug. Michel thanks God for bringing them together. Outside the Cathedral, a bright star shines.
Cast
- Jack Warden as Jehan Daas
- Jeremy James Kissner as Nello
- Jesse James as Young Nello
- Jon Voight as Michel La Grande
- Cheryl Ladd as Anna Cogez
- Steven Hartley as Nicholas Cogez
- Bruce McGill as William the Blacksmith
- Andrew Bicknell as Stevens
- Farren Monet Daniels as Aloise
- Madylin Sweeten as Young Aloise
- Fred Van Kuyk as Mayor Kessling
- Frederick Oxby as Young Robert Kessling
- Julien Bosman as Robert Kessling
- Bouli Lanners as Constable
- Anne Grandhenry as Stephen's Wife
Publicity
Jon Voight and Cheryl Ladd gave many interviews. They promoted the film in the summer of 1999.
