Watch The Plague Dogs

The Plague Dogs is a 1982 animated adventure drama film based on the Richard Adams novel of the same name. It was directed by Martin Rosen, who previously directed the animated adaptation of Adams' classic novel Watership Down. The film features an all-star voice cast including John Hurt, Christopher Benjamin, and James Bolam. The Plague Dogs follows the story of two dogs, Rowf and Snitter, who escape from a research laboratory in the Lake District of England. The two dogs were subjected to cruel experiments that caused Rowf to become aggressive and Snitter to experience hallucinations. They soon navigate the treacherous terrain of the Lake District, desperately trying to evade capture and find a way to survive in the wilderness.

The film is a commentary on the ethics of animal testing, and the treatment of animals by humans in general. It is a bleak and often unsettling portrayal of the cruelty that animals can experience at the hands of people. The film does not shy away from depicting graphic violence and brutality inflicted upon both the dogs and other animals in the story.

One of the most impressive aspects of The Plague Dogs is its animation. The film sees a marked improvement in the quality of the animation compared to Rosen's previous work on Watership Down. The animation is more fluid and detailed, which allows for more realistic depictions of the natural world and the movements of the animals.

The film is also notable for its stunning British landscapes. The Lake District is showcased in its full glory, with sweeping panoramas of hills and lakes that provide a striking contrast to the violence and danger that the dogs face.

John Hurt provides the voice for the film's narrator and protagonist, a scientist who is determined to recapture the dogs and keep his experiment a secret. Hurt's deep, sonorous voice is perfectly suited to the philosophical and introspective nature of the character. Christopher Benjamin and James Bolam also give strong performances as supporting characters, a farmer and a journalist, respectively. The dogs are voiced by Nigel Hawthorne and John Bennett, who bring a sense of authenticity and emotion to the animals' vocalizations.

Overall, The Plague Dogs is a powerful and thought-provoking piece of animation that deals with some difficult themes. It is not a film for everyone, as it can be unsettling and emotionally draining at times. However, for those who appreciate mature and challenging storytelling, it is a film that is well worth watching. The film is both a testament to the power of animated storytelling and to the importance of treating animals with kindness and respect.

The Plague Dogs is a 1982 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7.