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Shepherd: The Story of a Jewish Dog

Play trailer 1:44 Poster for Shepherd: The Story of a Jewish Dog Released May 28, 2021 1h 33m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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80% Tomatometer 15 Reviews 94% Popcornmeter 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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Shepherd: The Story of a Jewish Dog

Critics Reviews

View All (15) Critics Reviews
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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (17) audience reviews
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 Marcia S A very important story that needs to be told and heard. Some scenes were hard to watch, but I was riveted because the story is so well told and the acting was charismatic. The characters are delineated with each one being entirely realistic. I highly recommend this movie to all. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/18/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Shepherd: The Story of a Jewish Dog

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Movie Info

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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