When I was younger I was always a huge fan on Benji movies. I loved Benji, much like Lassie for his heroic doggie feats. The fact that Benji was super cute dog helped his likeness factor as well. When I was “Benji Off The Leash” I was horribly let down.
Unlike previous Benji movies that have been reasonably wholesome and fun for the whole family to watch, this Benji movie deals primarily with abuse. In the movie dogs are bred for profit, and when one is discovered to not be purebred it is violently cast out from the home. On another level the dog breeder abuses his son as well as the dogs he breeds.
There is actually a scene in this movie where a dog is thrown across the room. As a huge dog lover I was very disturbed by several of the images in the film, but that one in particular.
One good thing about this movie is that when it was released in 2004 a portion of the proceeds from the film were given to animal shelters where dogs like Benji would have more than likely ended up.
Benji Off the leash is rated PG. I would be reluctant to let any child under the age of ten of eleven watch this film, and even with a child that age I would highly recommend pre-viewing the film first. It is very rare that I out right suggest someone NOT watch a movie, but this is bordering on a movie I would recommend just leaving on the shelf.
This movie can be an good way to expose your children to how some dogs may be treated. I would like to think that the vast majority of dog breeders are not like Mr. Hatchet in the film. If you are thinking of getting a dog for your child watching Benji may help entice your child into adopting a dog from the animal shelter rather than purchasing an expensive dog from a breeder.
Benji Off The Leash is available where DVDs are sold as well as online at Amazon.com.