I was expecting to hate this film. After all it's a kids film (I'm 37). I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it! It's one of those few films that works for both adults and children. It's in color (which was rare in the early 1940s), has a simple story and never becomes too sentimental or childish. It's particularly fun seeing Elizabeth Taylor and Roddy McDowall as children; Elsa Lancaster as roddy's mother(!!!); and Nigel Bruce NOT playing Doctor Watson for once and actually proving he could be gruff and aggressive in a performance. Best of all though, is Lassie. I don't know how they did it, but the dog (actually a male dog named Pal) gives in an astonishing performance. Just the expressions on her(his) face tells you what she(he) is thinking! Also has a great ending that is very moving (in a good way). Very well woth seeing. Only complaint--the color in this film is so washed out! Why doesn't someone restore it?

"Lassie Come Home" is an incredibly well made and beautiful looking family film. It represents the best film of its kind MGM could make and is the best of the Lassie movies. And, although it's full of schmaltz, it's such well made schmaltz that just about everyone will enjoy the film if you give it a chance.

When the film begins, the Carraclough family is in serious trouble. They're a poor English family and need money and so the father (Donald Crisp) decides to sell their one prized possession...their dog Lassie! Considering how his son adores the dog, and vice-versa, your heart breaks when little Roddy McDowell has to part with the pooch. What follows is escape after escape...and the dog amazingly is able to somehow find its way back home to the Carracloughs.

Heartwarming...and a tear-jerker. All of the best qualities MGM could put into a film are stuffed into this one--loved color cinematography, very moody and fitting music, some wonderful supporting contract players (such as Edmund Gwen, Elizabeth Taylor and many others) and the MGM style all make this a sweet film and a must-see for everyone but the grouchiest viewers.