The Plague Dogs (1982)

Two dogs escape a cruel government testing facility and try to survive on their own in the English countryside, all the while being pursued by their former tormentors.

“The Plague Dogs” (1982), the children’s no child so see.  Now I have seen some creepy children’s movies in the past, “The Secret of NIMH” (1982), “The Brave Little Toaster” (1987), Disney’s version of Sleepy Hollow (1949) just to name a few that come to mind, but none of them hold a candle to this one.  The film makers even out did their first cinematic horror, “Watership Down,” (1978).  From start to finish this film presents a crescendo of despair and desperation, for its two protagonists.  Honestly one could compare it to a train wreck; you know it is not going to end well, but you cannot take your eyes off it.  In fact, I have seen more horror movies that have had less dark, bleak, and depressing endings then this animated feature.  When I first watched the “The Plague Dogs”, I had early work the next day, but it was so engrossing that I had to stay up and finish.  Days later, it was still on my mind, like a nightmare that never goes away.  What I find truly unique about this film though, is how it feels like a children’s movie all through out.  The way the scenes are set up and the way the character’s talk all feels like a children’s movie, but what you are actually seeing and the words being spoken displays otherwise.  As much as I have seemingly bashed this film I do believe that it is a must see for fans of the strange, occult, horror, etc.  Just please, do not let children watch this one.  Now when it comes to the ratting I have been very torn whether to rate it high or low.  In the end, I felt it best to give it the score I have, so that the general public does not get the wrong idea and let innocent eyes view.  So I give this one dead dog in the incinerator out of five.

Review by David Bennett