Customer Reviews:
 A relaxing evening's viewing October 3, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I agree with all the reviews I've read - a lovely film with the dogs centre-stage and the follow-up 3 years on is almost heart rending as we finally get the farmer figure talking about his dogs. I learnt a bit about sheep too but some of the less appealing sides to farming are left out- slaughter/transport of animals across the world etc etc. but hey - sometimes I want a cosy view of the world after a hard day at a desk! If the subject matter appeals then you can't get better
Wonderful film, but with uneven photography February 6, 2007
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
A wonderful, engrossing documentary film whose heroes are the intelligent sheepdogs , out in all weathers, and gathering sheep sometimes in extremely difficult circumstances. The scenes of shepherding flocks on rocky cliffs during a Force 10 Atlantic gale are truly breathtaking. The only drawback is the uneven quality of the photography. The sequences taken around the farm are generally fine, but the landscape photography is too often marred by overexposure and by shooting into the sun. Colours can appear washed out and hazy, and some of the detail has been lost. A great pity, this, because the film has been made in what must surely be one of the most photogenic parts of the British coastline.
 Wonderful September 21, 2005
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
A wonderful video and fascinating inside into a total new subject ( for me! ) - I love dogs but know nothing about sheep ( apart from that they are white and wobblely and a bit silly ) - but this video is an interesting inside into this strange world, with beautiful scenery and a very good commentry. Well recommanded.
A sheep-dog lover's treat March 18, 2004
35 out of 35 found this review helpful
Having not seen the VHS edition but heard a lot about it, I bought the DVD with great anticipation as soon as it was released. I wasn't disappointed! What a poignant and honest portrayal of a hard life (both for shepherd and his sheep-dogs), but one that must also provide enormous personal satisfaction. David Kennard the shepherd keeps his profile low in the footage and instead highlights the career of six very different and full of character border collies. They play centre stage in a documentary that follows the highs and lows of farm life throughout a single year. This includes important events such as the lambing season and sheep dog trials.Anyone who enjoys Herriot-like reading will enjoy this approximately one and half hour long film. Anyone who has been to North Devon will recognise and love the fantastic photographic shots that highlight both the beautiful and harsh weather of that coastal area. In particular Christopher Timothy's powerful narration adds to the simple and honest video footage. But....the dogs are really the stars and watching them hard at work tirelessly day in and day out is what the film is all about! There is an update chapter at the end of the DVD which follows the dogs 3 years on from the original filming of the VHS edition. This is really the cherry on the cake and keeps us wanting to know even more of the dogs now. It is also nice to hear more from David Kennard himself at this point of the film. I am definitely going to buy the book that accompanies this DVD as soon as it is released later this month.
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