The Barking Dog
The Barking Dog

Movie spotlight

The Barking Dog

1978
Movie
105 min
English

Comedy directed by Alan Smithee

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes55%
Metacritic58/100
Google Users72%
Director: Don SiegelGenres: Crime, Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

A burnt-out detective, haunted by a past case, is pulled back into the gritty underworld to investigate a series of escalating crimes. As he delves deeper, he finds himself confronting corrupt officials and dangerous criminals. The investigation forces him to question his own morality and the true nature of justice.

Critical Reception

While 'The Barking Dog' garnered some attention for its gritty portrayal of urban crime and its direction, it was largely overshadowed by other releases of the era and received a mixed reception from critics. Audiences were divided, with some appreciating its dark tone and others finding it too bleak.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its atmospheric tension and Siegel's directorial hand.

  • Criticized for a predictable plot and underdeveloped characters.

  • Some found the bleak outlook to be heavy-handed.

Google audience: Audience reviews often highlight the film's moody atmosphere and Siegel's directorial style. However, many found the story to be somewhat formulaic and the characters lacked depth, leading to a less engaging experience for some.

Fun Fact

The film's original script was reportedly much longer and darker, but was heavily rewritten and cut down during production to meet studio demands for a more commercially viable product.

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