Old Yeller

G

Released Dec 25, 1957

1h 23m

Kids & Family

Drama

List

100%

Tomatometer

22 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

While Jim Coates (Fess Parker) is off on a cattle drive, his wife, Katie (Dorothy McGuire), and sons, Travis (Tommy Kirk) and Arliss (Kevin Corcoran), are left behind on their Texas ranch. When a runaway dog named Old Yeller causes damage in one of their fields, Travis tries to drive him away. However, Travis and Katie both warm to Old Yeller when he saves Arliss from a bear attack. As Travis and the brave and faithful dog grow closer, concern grows about an outbreak of rabies.

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Critics Consensus

Old Yeller is an exemplary coming of age tale, packing an emotional wallop through smart pacing and a keen understanding of the elemental bonding between humanity and their furry best friends.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Tearjerker is one of the best early Disney dramas.

Rated: 5/5

Dec 26, 2010

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Variety Staff

Variety

Disney organization's flair for taking a homely subject and building a heartwarming film is again aptly demonstrated in this moving story.

Mar 26, 2009

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TIME Magazine

It comes from Disney's thoroughly proved mother lode: movies for the kids that adults will stay to enjoy themselves.

Mar 9, 2009

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Janet Graves

Photoplay

With each new adventure, Walt Disney's live-action craftsmen show increasing skill at capturing the excitement and rich flavor of America's heritage.

Nov 17, 2021

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Rachel Wagner

Rachel's Reviews (YouTube)

Not just a boy and his dog story but a coming of age tale about a boy becoming a man. Very well done

Rated: 9/10

May 7, 2020

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Sky Cinema

Both an exciting adventure and an effective tear-jerker.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 18, 2017

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Dale R

If you haven’t seen this movie you should. A classic tale of a boy and his dog, and the boy’s brother. This is the first of many Disney movies that feature the child actors of Tommy Kirk and Kevin Corcoran. The acting chops on both of them are not shown off well during this movie. I find that Kevin plays the same character in every movie and it does eventually get old. I do enjoy the period story telling of an old western farm and how life works on one. Dorothy McGuire does a good job as the mother and Jeff York returns as the annoying freeloading neighbor. This movie is worth checking out.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/07/24

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Garrett W

A timeless classic and one of my favorite movies!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/29/24

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Sam G

This film has traumatized generations of American children.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/02/23

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Jack W

My dad saw this movie as a kid. He was upset when yeller was shot. Terrible. Don't recommend

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

09/22/23

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Russell H

Not a bad story based on becoming a man.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/20/23

Full Review

Chris W

This is a timeless classic. All children 8-12 yrs old should see this movie with their parents.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/22/23

Full Review

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Robert Stevenson

Director

Dorothy McGuire

Katie Coates

Fess Parker

Jim Coates

Tommy Kirk

Travis Coates

Kevin Corcoran

Arliss Coates

Jeff York

Bud Searcy

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Synopsis

While Jim Coates (Fess Parker) is off on a cattle drive, his wife, Katie (Dorothy McGuire), and sons, Travis (Tommy Kirk) and Arliss (Kevin Corcoran), are left behind on their Texas ranch. When a runaway dog named Old Yeller causes damage in one of their fields, Travis tries to drive him away. However, Travis and Katie both warm to Old Yeller when he saves Arliss from a bear attack. As Travis and the brave and faithful dog grow closer, concern grows about an outbreak of rabies.

Director: Robert Stevenson
Producer: Walt Disney
Screenwriter: Fred Gipson, William Tunberg
Production Co: Walt Disney Productions
Rating: G
Genre: Kids & Family, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 1957, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2014
Runtime: 1h 23m

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