"Rudi come home! I won't let them turn you into sausages!"

An early Clive Donner outing, "Heart Of A Child" is a largely forgettable Lassie-type drama transported to the picturesque Austrian Alps.

Set in the last days of WWI, Herman - the village's poor, drunkard farmer - decides to sell his remaining livestock and faithful dog, Rudi, to the butcher. Understandably, his son is devastated and sets about to prevent Rudi from being taken, even if this brings him quite literally to blows with his abusive father - menacingly played by a young(er) Donald Pleasence (with hair!)

This is pure, short RANK escapism and contains few cinematic revelations. Still, there is a certain charm to be found in these Elstree productions. Something perhaps not found in most of their US counterparts. There is a certain willingness - perhaps due to lower budgets and fewer crew numbers - to permit the inclusion of unconventional shots - giving these productions a free-wheeling effect. Not a film technician, how long exactly have Steadi-Cams been around - can we not see them being employed here?

The adventure genre features exciting journeys, quests, or expeditions undertaken by characters who often face challenges, obstacles, and risks in pursuit of a goal. Adventures can take place in a wide range of settings, from exotic and fantastical locations to historical or even everyday environments.

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

A boy's love for his dog in face of his father's opposition.

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"The Gentlemen" and "Slow Horses" return this fall, while the "Reacher" spin-off series "Neagley" makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

2026 Fall TV and Streaming Watch Guide

&quot;The Gentlemen&quot; and &quot;Slow Horses&quot; return this fall, while the &quot;Reacher&quot; spin-off series &quot;Neagley&quot; makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

Streaming Stars, Then and Now

Dirk Bogarde in A Tale of Two Cities (1958)

Faye Emerson and Zachary Scott in Danger Signal (1945)

James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan in The Mortal Storm (1940)

John Glyn-Jones in Heart of a Child (1958)

Heart of a Child

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