Where the Red Fern Grows

In contrast to last week’s film, this week’s film offers a story with a slower and gentler pace…

In 1930s rural Oklahoma, young Billy Coleman dreams of owning a pair of hounds to help him hunt raccoons. Though his family is poor, he spends two years doing odd jobs and saving every penny until the two dogs are finally his.

Naming them Dan and Ann, the new dogs create an adventurous summer for Billy as they quickly bond and become one of the best coon hunting teams in the area. Together they set their sights on winning the local coon-hunting championship. But life in the Ozarks has its dangers, especially for those who venture into the wilderness, and the film does not shy away from the harder lessons that come with loving something fiercely.

Based on the classic children’s novel, Where the Red Fern Grows offers an old-fashioned, episodic story showcasing the values of hard work and responsibility, as Billy faces many of the common (and some uncommon) challenges of growing up. The film is rated G and is appropriate for the whole family, though it does include a few dramatic scenes and a famously heartbreaking ending.

(The above refers to the 1974 original, though a 2003 remake is also available.)

Runtime: 1 hour, 37 minutes
Rated G
IMDb Parents Guide