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Cave of the Yellow Dog

Play trailer Poster for Cave of the Yellow Dog G Released Nov 10, 2006 1h 33m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
90% Tomatometer 51 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Nansal (Nansal Batchuluun), the oldest daughter of a nomadic Mongolian family, finds a small dog and names him Zochor. Her father refuses to let her keep it, believing it will bring the family bad luck and lead wolves to their sheep. Nansal decides to defy her father by hiding her four-legged friend but as winter approaches and the family prepares to move camps, Zochor is tied to a post by Nansal's father. He is forced to reconsider after the dog protects their youngest child from vultures.
Cave of the Yellow Dog

What to Know

Critics Consensus

A sparse, hauntingly beautiful journey across continents and cultures.

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Critics Reviews

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Eleanor Ringel Cater Atlanta Journal-Constitution The movie is very beautiful and also very slow, mostly due to the relatively primitive setting. Rated: B- Jan 25, 2007 Full Review Josh Rosenblatt Austin Chronicle Damn me for an unreliable cynic, but The Cave of the Yellow Dog is a remarkable movie: touching, honest, and unassuming, without a hint of irony or false motive. Rated: 4/4 Jan 4, 2007 Full Review Tim Cogshell Boxoffice Magazine It must also be noted that each of the Batchuluun children are extraordinary and that Nansal Batchuluun (both her real and her character's name) is among the most captivating creatures captured on film -- ever. Rated: 3.5/4 Dec 30, 2006 Full Review Jae-Ha Kim Jae-Ha Kim Equal parts documentary, children’s story, and narrative drama, "Cave of the Yellow Dog" is a beautifully filmed adventure that the entire family will enjoy. Rated: 3/4 Jul 27, 2023 Full Review Rachel Wagner Rachel's Reviews (YouTube) This film is so cute Nov 14, 2021 Full Review Common Sense Media Editors Common Sense Media Unique, mild glimpse into nomadic Mongolian kids' lives. Rated: 3/5 May 6, 2011 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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dave s Living with her family in the vast expanses of Mongolia, a young girl finds an abandoned dog in a cave and, much to her father's chagrin, decides to keep it. And that's about the sum total of the plot in Cave of the Yellow Dog. Not much really happens over the course of the movie. A girl collects dung. Sheep wander about aimlessly. Cheese is sliced. Children stare at clouds. A yurt is dismantled. That'd be about it. Regardless, the children are cute, the dog is adorable and the scenery is beautiful. One could argue that this is a fascinating look into a lifestyle that is unimaginable for most, but that's probably not enough to give it an enthusiastic recommendation. It's interesting but in no way compelling. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review s r Beautiful and although there's not much to it, it is powerful and touching. Shows an insight into Mongolian plains culture. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Nice,cute and touching movie. A film that explores Mongolian life and enjoys the beauty of nature. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review Audience Member Cool movie, but way too slow!! Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Like "The Story of the Weeping Camel," the climax is a little silly, but who cares? The story is beautiful, the cinematography is exquisite, the acting could not be more realistic. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member seamlessly didactic for a humankind that needs to learn so much more. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Cave of the Yellow Dog

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Cast & Crew

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Byambasuren Davaa

Director

Babbayar Batchuluun

Son

Nansal Batchuluun

Oldest Daughter

Nansalmaa Batchuluun

Youngest Daughter

Buyandulam Daramdadi

Mother

Batchuluun Urjindorj

Father

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Cave of the Yellow Dog

Cave of the Yellow Dog (2005) Cave of the Yellow Dog (2005) Cave of the Yellow Dog (2005) Cave of the Yellow Dog (2005) Cave of the Yellow Dog (2005) Cave of the Yellow Dog (2005) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Nansal (Nansal Batchuluun), the oldest daughter of a nomadic Mongolian family, finds a small dog and names him Zochor. Her father refuses to let her keep it, believing it will bring the family bad luck and lead wolves to their sheep. Nansal decides to defy her father by hiding her four-legged friend but as winter approaches and the family prepares to move camps, Zochor is tied to a post by Nansal's father. He is forced to reconsider after the dog protects their youngest child from vultures.
Director
Byambasuren Davaa
Producer
Byambasuren Davaa
Screenwriter
Byambasuren Davaa
Distributor
Tartan
Rating
G
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Mongolian
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 10, 2006, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 26, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA)
$141.8K
Runtime
1h 33m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital, Dolby SR