A Boy and His Dog (1975)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

L.Q. Jones

Writers:

Harlan Ellison (story)
L.Q. Jones (writer)

Release Date:

November 1975 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

A rather kinky tale of survival

Plot:

A post-apocalyptic tale based on a novella by Harlan Ellison. A boy communicates telepathically with his dog as they scavenge for food and sex...

Plot Keywords:

Dog | Underground | Food | Sex | Telepathic Dog

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Don Johnson	...	Vic
Susanne Benton	...	Quilla June Holmes
Jason Robards	...	Lou Craddock
Tim McIntire	...	Blood (voice)
Alvy Moore	...	Doctor Moore
Helene Winston	...	Mez Smith
Charles McGraw	...	Preacher
Hal Baylor	...	Michael
Ron Feinberg	...	Fellini
Michael Rupert	...	Gery (as Mike Rupert)
Don Carter	...	Ken
Michael Hershman	...	Richard
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
L.Q. Jones	...	Actor in Porno Film

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:R (original rating) | Spain:13 | UK:15 | Australia:M | Denmark:16 | USA:R | West Germany:16 | Iceland:16

Company:

LQ/JAF

Trivia:

The screenplay was started by Harlan Ellison, who wrote the novella on which it is based. Ellison encountered writer's block, and so producer Alvy Moore and L.Q. Jones took over and wrote the script. Ellison praised the film after its premiere, to the relief of Moore, but there are rumors that Ellison later condemned the film.

Quotes:

Vic/Albert (to sentry): If my gun picks up one rust spot you're gonna wake up with a crowd around 'ya.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Cosby Show: A Girl and Her Dog (#3.10)" (1986)

Who's the master?

A frank tale about a recklessly horny boy and his calculative dog sums up this strange, very strange Sci-fi post-apocalyptic wasteland adventure yarn. It's a unique product of the 70s, as it's ambitious, daring and warped in its mind-set that makes this considerably low-budget effort a hypnotic cult item that nothing else would even come close to it. Based upon a novel by Harlan Ellison, the premise follows that of a young loner Vic (splendidly performed by Don Johnson) and his telepathic pooch Blood (exceptionally voiced by Tim McIntire) travelling the desert landscapes caused by the after-effects of WWIV in the search of food, shelter and women.

What goes on to make this film is the biting conversations and budding rapport and dependable friendship between Vic and Blood. It ranged from hysterical to moving, and surprisingly done in a believable manner. The satirical edge to the script is innovatively penned and to the point with its drama, frictions and kinky fixations. Sometimes quite unpleasant in the details where a quirky side is etched and the humour is engraved with a morbid sense of curiosity. While slow-grinding, the pace breezes by and the impulsively random nature helps a lot with a shock ending (twisted but still quite touching though) that comes from nowhere. Director LQ Jones' economical touch makes the most of it limited resources and manages to get plenty out of it despite the minor feel. His use of the camera provocatively achieved and the humming electronic score and playful acoustic cues cement an atmosphere and grow upon the imagination. Mainly consisting in the underground scenes, than on the openly isolated and dusty desert backdrop.

The support cast are picture-perfect in their roles. Susanne Benton shines and likes of Jason Robards, Charles McGraw and Alvy Moore were good fun.

I liked it even more the second time around.