Shepherd: The Story of a Jewish Dog

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Shepherd: The Story of a Jewish Dog

Released May 28, 2021

1h 33m

History

Drama

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80%

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15 Reviews

94%

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

The timeless, unbreakable bond between a boy and his faithful dog is put to the ultimate test in 1930s Germany, in the drama SHEPHERD: THE STORY OF A JEWISH DOG. When the Nuremberg Laws are passed forbidding Jews to own pets, Kaleb, a German Shepherd, is separated from his Jewish family and his beloved 10 year old master, Joshua. Kaleb becomes a street dog, is captured and eventually adopted by an SS dog trainer at a Nazi work camp where Kaleb has now been trained to help round up and terrorize Jewish prisoners. One day when a new trainload of prisoners arrives at the camp, Joshua steps out of that train and a miraculous reunion takes place as Kaleb rediscovers his unwavering loyalty to his young master Joshua. Together the pair attempt to escape the camp and begin the perilous journey to freedom. Based on the bestselling Israeli novel "The Jewish Dog" by Asher Kravitz.

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Gary Goldstein

Los Angeles Times

Younger viewers will receive a worthy, accessible lesson in the era's dreadful legacy, though older audiences may sometimes find its approach - and a few of the performances - a tad on-the-nose.

May 28, 2021

Full Review

Courtney Howard

Variety

This tear-jerker finds a fresh angle on familiar tragedy and turbulence, following a German Shepherd through World War 2.

May 28, 2021

Full Review

Carlos Aguilar

RogerEbert.com

The stale form isn't the most disappointing variable of this barely competent work, but the performances that border on cartoonish.

Rated: 1/4

May 28, 2021

Full Review

Pat Padua

Spectrum Culture

Roth navigates this emotional (and inevitably literal) minefield with blunt skill.

Rated: 60/100

Jul 29, 2021

Full Review

Allison Rose

FlickDirect

Shepherd: The Story of a Jewish Dog sheds some light on how the Nuremberg Laws impacted a large part of the world and not just human lives.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 17, 2021

Full Review

Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

Touch[es] the soul and warms even the coldest heart.

Jun 2, 2021

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Henry

This movie was unique. Different than anything I've seen. Especially about this subject matter. It has many levels--aspects that young people will like and complex ideas for adults. And these have to be the best dog actors I've ever seen! This is well worth your time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/13/21

Full Review

ava r

It was so interesting and compelling.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/12/21

Full Review

Dena

This is a very deeply touching story of the relationship between a Jewish boy and his dog. It is set against the backdrop of the ever growing oppression of Jews in 1940s Germany. Very well told and appropriate for older children.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/13/21

Full Review

Nandy

A wonderful, moving film that captures the holocaust in a unique personal way.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/29/21

Full Review

maria d

A well done movie, I highly recommend it specially the dog 💯

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/28/24

Full Review

richard g

A wonderful, touching motion picture that is not only entertaining but informative and important for everyone. I loved this movie!! I noticed an updated title: "SHEPHERD - The Story of a Hero Dog" The acting, directing and writing are top notch and this is a must see film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Lynn Roth

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Synopsis

The timeless, unbreakable bond between a boy and his faithful dog is put to the ultimate test in 1930s Germany, in the drama SHEPHERD: THE STORY OF A JEWISH DOG. When the Nuremberg Laws are passed forbidding Jews to own pets, Kaleb, a German Shepherd, is separated from his Jewish family and his beloved 10 year old master, Joshua. Kaleb becomes a street dog, is captured and eventually adopted by an SS dog trainer at a Nazi work camp where Kaleb has now been trained to help round up and terrorize Jewish prisoners. One day when a new trainload of prisoners arrives at the camp, Joshua steps out of that train and a miraculous reunion takes place as Kaleb rediscovers his unwavering loyalty to his young master Joshua. Together the pair attempt to escape the camp and begin the perilous journey to freedom. Based on the bestselling Israeli novel "The Jewish Dog" by Asher Kravitz.

Director: Lynn Roth
Producer: Lynn Roth, Craig Berenson, J. Todd Harris, Howard Rosenman
Screenwriter: Lynn Roth
Distributor: Glass Half Full Media
Production Co: FocusFox Studio, JDOG Films
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 28, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 14, 2023
Runtime: 1h 33m

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