A Dog's Ransom
A Dog's Ransom

Movie spotlight

A Dog's Ransom

1978
Movie
153 min
English

A quiet, middle-aged couple living in Chelsea start to receive threatening letters through the post - and then things take a sinister turn as their beloved poodle, Tina, is kidnapped. A smart young copper from the local force decides to investigate -

Insights

IMDb5.7/10
Director: Burt KennedyGenres: Western, Comedy

Plot Summary

In this comedic Western, a wealthy rancher's prized show dog is kidnapped by a pair of inept outlaws. The rancher, a man with a reputation for being ruthless, finds himself forced to deal with the comical attempts of the kidnappers to extort a ransom. Along the way, he enlists the help of a local lawman and faces various absurd situations as he tries to get his beloved canine companion back.

Critical Reception

A Dog's Ransom is a lesser-known comedic Western that garnered a mixed to negative reception upon its release. While some viewers appreciated its lighthearted tone and performances, critics generally found the plot to be weak and the humor to be largely ineffective. It is often regarded as a forgettable entry in the careers of its prominent cast members.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film struggles with a predictable and uninspired plot.

  • Humor is inconsistent and often falls flat.

  • Performances by the lead actors are adequate but unable to elevate the material.

Google audience: Audience reception for 'A Dog's Ransom' is not widely documented or rated on Google. General sentiment suggests it is a light, albeit unremarkable, Western comedy that may appeal to fans of its stars but is unlikely to be a significant critical or audience hit.

Fun Fact

Despite its billing as a Western, the film leans heavily into its comedic elements, often bordering on farce, which was a departure for many of the actors involved in more traditional genre fare.

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