Shiloh - A Movie Review

I need to protect this dog.

Shiloh is a 1996 film based on the 1991 book written by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. Marty finds a dog and names him Shiloh. He belongs to Judd Travers, a hunter who abuses Shiloh. Marty fights to protect Shiloh from Judd even if has to lie to his family.

Movies have an impact on you, no matter your age. Shiloh is a heartwarming film for all ages. I read Shiloh in school and adored the movie as a kid. It’s a story about a boy’s love for a dog and the value of telling the truth. Watching this film now as an adult, Marty’s actions are discerning to how he handles the situation.

The late Blake Heron is wonderful as Marty. Marty’s love for Shiloh is monumental. Always stand your ground. While I agreed with his opinions at his age, when I watch the film now, Marty’s actions are not respectful.

The best performance of all is the late Scott Wilson as Judd Travers. Judd is a hot-headed, unpleasant, and deceitful person who treats his dogs poorly. Off-camera, Wilson was the complete opposite of his character as described by the cast. Wilson made this role his own. Judd has a lot of depth in his complex nature.

The cast accomplishes bringing the personalities from the pages to life. Until now, I didn’t know that Ann Dowd played Marty’s mother. You have to see her performance in Hereditary. Credits also include Michael Moriarty, Shira Roth, Tori Wright, Bonnie Bartlett, and the late Rod Steigler and J. Madison Wright.

Let’s not forget about Franny, the adorable dog who played Shiloh. Franny delivers a touching performance. She had the sweetest eyes, that emoted sadness well. It was sad to see what Judd did to the poor dog. Still, Shiloh has a good nature. The bond between Marty and Shiloh is tender making a believable connection.

Imitating books on the big screen is a hard task, but Dale Rosenbaum did an excellent job. Rosenbloom's adept direction ensures a faithful adaptation of Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's beloved novel while adding his creative touches. The script is tedious and not as strong. It could have been more subtle than giving information away.

Some of these changes consisted of characters or the ending. Marty’s friend, Sam (Wright) is given more time in the limelight over David Howard, who appears in the sequel. He made some changes to the book but paid the closest attention to the moral. The pacing is slow, often repeating scenes and conversations.

In addition to Rosenbaum’s direction of Shiloh, the filmmakers explored areas for filming that were most accurate to the book. The cinematography beautifully captures the rural landscapes of West Virginia, immersing viewers in Marty's rustic surroundings.

It’s interesting how your views on movies change as an adult. As a child, Marty's sense of justice is commendable, as he stands up against the mistreatment of Shiloh. However, now viewing the film as an adult, Marty still hasn’t acquired enough knowledge about rights.

Marty does a good job standing his ground, but withholding the truth is wrong. While Marty's actions are rooted in good intentions, his decision to withhold the truth raises questions. He’s naive to believe that Judd will keep a promise. I am also surprised that Marty’s parents let their son go through with Judd’s persistent jobs in the climax.

Shiloh is an endearing film for the whole family to enjoy. It’s an important book for young audiences to read. Read the book and take a look at this beloved dog movie.