Hachi - A Dog's Tale (2009) Film

A true story of faith, devotion and undying love.
Starring Richard Gere and Joan Allen

Directed by Lasse Hallstom

To be released in the UK on March 12th

Available as a DVD

An American adaptation of a true Japanese story about an Akita called Hachiko who is devoted to his master.  Every morning the dog accompanies his master to the train station and every afternoon he returns to greet him from work.  One day his master does not return.  He is dead.  But the dog faithfully goes back to the station daily for the next nine years in the hope that his master will make an appearance.  During that time, Hachiko touches the lives of the many people he meets.

Review by Robert Stuhldreer, Co-founder and trustee for Akita Rescue and Welfare (UK)

As an owner, or perhaps I should say owned by, two Akitas and co-founder and trustee for Akita Rescue and Welfare (UK) www.akitarescue.org.uk I wanted to watch the film with as an unbiased approach as is possible under this given set of circumstances.

Re: Richard Gere. I have never really rated him as an actor. He bombed in "Chicago". Really poor casting. However, in this film, it worked.

The story of Hachiko is known to all Akita owners worldwide.  One of my reservations was how, in this film, were they going to tell what is quintessentially a JAPANESE story, about a JAPANESE dog, designated a Natural Treasure in his own country, portraying ideals and traits that feature significantly in JAPANESE culture in an American setting. With a "little" poetic licence the film makers pulled it off cleverly using a Japanese co-worker who explained the more subtle nuances of the Akita breed to the professor and therefore to the audience.

The film itself had a "timeless" feel or quality to it. It could have been any decade in the latter part of the last century. Not that it was integral in any way to the telling of the story but it only became apparent exactly when the film was set when the professor's widow visited his grave. We, the audience, see the date he died and she comments that it is ten years since his death.

There is some stunning cinematography. The opening scenes in Japan are beautiful. However the most beautifully filmed scene shows Hachiko waiting for his deceased master outside the railway station. The passing of time is rapidly depicted by the changing canopy of a tree and changing skys and weather reminiscent of time passing in the H.G.Well's film "The Time Machine" where the passing of time is depicted by the changing styles of clothes of a manikin in a shop window.

The dogs used in the film were absolutely fantastic. I "take my hat off" to their trainer.

I went not really wanting to like the film. I left crying and I knew what was going to happen!

As the credits rolled it was interesting to see everyone leave SILENTLY with most people trying to disguise the fact that they too had been crying.

If this film is to be released please make sure that the cinemas involved have a good stock of Kleenex on their concession stands.

A latter day Lassie film but nevertheless a MUST SEE.

If it's not an Akita it's just a dog!
 
WITH MY AKITA OWNER AND TRUSTEE FOR AKITA RESCUE AND WELFARE (UK) HEAD ON:

I obviously have reservations.

The film itself only portrayed the POSITIVE aspects of the Akitas nature. Akitas are large, dominant, powerful hunting dogs and require an experienced owner who is willing to put in more training than with most other breeds. They are not for a novice or inexperienced owner.

My concerns are similar to that of reputable breeders and rescue organisations of Dalmatians when "101 Dalmations" was released. Due to the very positive portrayal of the breed in the film we know from experience that, as a knee jerk reaction, people will rush out and buy an Akita, a breed that is not advisable for the vast majority of people. These dogs will probably come from a less than reputable source and when the novelty wears off there will be a vast influx of dogs coming into rescue and possibly an increase in reports of dangerous dogs.
 
I was pleased to see that at the end of the film a written account of the "true" Hachiko story was given.

There was also something from the American Akita Association. Unfortunately this rolled by so quickly I was unable to read it properly.

I don't know if this is at all possible but if this film is released in cinemas in the UK would it possible to have appropriate UK Akita organisations mentioned? Such as: Akita Rescue and Welfare (UK), The Japanese Akita Welfare Trust, The Akita Association etc
 
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