Good to see Eric Porter, a very underrated actor, in the role as a gamekeeper, who puts his head in the noose, when he rears a tame fox. A 1970's film which reminded me of my country days, before things because a bit too sophisticated. Good film for a quiet hour or two. A very young-looking Dennis Waterman as a hunt assistant, before his break into the big time with John Thaw. One of these films hat you don't think-sounds very interesting, but when you sit down and get into it, you just need to see it to the ens. Jeremy Kemp as a rather worn out English country gentleman,is a pleasure to watch.I would recommend the film to anybody, I don't know how I miss it first time round.
12 Reviews
Unsettling film
malcolmgsw19 October 2021
I have seen this described as a family film and heartwarming when it is neither. The first half an hour is rather like a Disney film. Then it shows a hunt in all its dreadful blood letting. It shows us what a primitive blood letting which was fox hunting.
A magnificent film.
SanDiego21 December 2001
The director and star of BORN FREE re-team to tell the story of Tag, a fox reared with a fox-hound. From the book THE BALLAD OF THE BELSTONE FOX by David Rook and later remade as the animated Disney film "The Fox and the Hound." A magnificent family film that ultimately brings up questions about the ethics of fox-hunts, mixes the fun of Benji with the drama of Old Yeller.
A true classic British film
johndeansmarshallcgli2003 May 2006
I really did enjoy this film.I seen it two times as a teenager,and was really touched on the beauty and English countryside.It is a film that appeals to both young and old .though I do think that some of the scenes that i remember especially a love scene has been cut I bought a video of the film and noticed that something was missing.I did read the book by James Rook.THE BALLAD OF THE BELSTONE FOX..i really do think that this film does the book justice.Fox hunting has now been banned in England so the film also puts on record a fox hunt that now most probably will be resigned to history books...On reading the book I think the hunt featured was based on the BELVOIR HUNT based in Lincolnshire
When you try to raise a fox kit and puppy together,the hardest thing will be to watch them say goodbye.
mark.waltz25 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This serious drama starts off on a sad note when a group of hunters kill a mother fox and her litter of kits when they find her nursing them in the woods. It's a bit laughable, actually, because the small dogs they use to dig into the den are as fou-fou looking a group of dogs as you can find. But a mysterious person comes along afterwards at night, finds a fox cub still living, and takes it to his friend Eric Porter who has a nursing mother dog foster it. One of the mother dog's puppies takes a shine to it, and they become inseparable which makes it difficult when the fox grows up and hunting season begins. They live near where fox hunts are held, and the obviously somewhat tamed fox is now on the loose, in danger of being mauled to death by the angry hound dogs trained to hate fox.
Certainly, there are many amusing scenes of the fox and the hound growing up together, either playing outdoors in the growing heather with equally playful wild rabbits or making a mess when accidentally let into the house while Porter's wife, Rachel Roberts, is away. Heather Wright, as the daughter, particularly comes to love her new found kit. The scene of Porter yelling at the fox to "git!" is heartbreaking because those haunting fox eyes look on in confusion. The hound, his best buddy and brother, and Porter are the family he's never had, and it reminds us why wild animals should never be taken in as pets, because it is as cruel to dump them when their natural instincts take over as it is to hunt and kill them for sport.
What makes this interesting is the fact that Porter knows fellow fox hunters personally, and when word gets around, he is ridiculed for aiding a fox and a potential fox chasing hound into becoming friends. Indeed, the hound is unable to properly hunt (a natural hound trait) after the fox (named "Tag") is let loose. This isn't so much about the performances, although everyone is very good, as it is about the moral of the tale. Unfortunately, there are many human subplots which take away from the enjoyment of seeing this beautiful critter go from a coal black kit to the orange beauty we've all come to know and love when we get a rare opportunity to see arguably one of the most adorable and possibly lovable wild animals God created and left for us to view from afar.
This is not an animal film for children as evidedenced by the aftermath of the hunt sequence where the hounds cross a train track with a train approaching around the bend. It leads to a lot of carnage and is quite shocking. even for adults. If anything, this reveals all the more reason why fox hunts deserved their demise long before they ceased to exist. Porter, who is presented as decent at the beginning, becomes progressively unsympathetic, obsessed with revenge against Tag for leading the hounds to their death. This makes the film a strange drama of man vs. nature and the obsessive nature of an all too proud man who is unaware that you can never truly beat mother nature. After a while, it truly becomes just an unpleasant viewing experience.
Certainly, there are many amusing scenes of the fox and the hound growing up together, either playing outdoors in the growing heather with equally playful wild rabbits or making a mess when accidentally let into the house while Porter's wife, Rachel Roberts, is away. Heather Wright, as the daughter, particularly comes to love her new found kit. The scene of Porter yelling at the fox to "git!" is heartbreaking because those haunting fox eyes look on in confusion. The hound, his best buddy and brother, and Porter are the family he's never had, and it reminds us why wild animals should never be taken in as pets, because it is as cruel to dump them when their natural instincts take over as it is to hunt and kill them for sport.
What makes this interesting is the fact that Porter knows fellow fox hunters personally, and when word gets around, he is ridiculed for aiding a fox and a potential fox chasing hound into becoming friends. Indeed, the hound is unable to properly hunt (a natural hound trait) after the fox (named "Tag") is let loose. This isn't so much about the performances, although everyone is very good, as it is about the moral of the tale. Unfortunately, there are many human subplots which take away from the enjoyment of seeing this beautiful critter go from a coal black kit to the orange beauty we've all come to know and love when we get a rare opportunity to see arguably one of the most adorable and possibly lovable wild animals God created and left for us to view from afar.
This is not an animal film for children as evidedenced by the aftermath of the hunt sequence where the hounds cross a train track with a train approaching around the bend. It leads to a lot of carnage and is quite shocking. even for adults. If anything, this reveals all the more reason why fox hunts deserved their demise long before they ceased to exist. Porter, who is presented as decent at the beginning, becomes progressively unsympathetic, obsessed with revenge against Tag for leading the hounds to their death. This makes the film a strange drama of man vs. nature and the obsessive nature of an all too proud man who is unaware that you can never truly beat mother nature. After a while, it truly becomes just an unpleasant viewing experience.
outstanding
welshNick9 September 2008
Warning: Spoilers
I watched this film for the first time in about 25 years earlier today. I had good memories of seeing this as a child and it was great to see it again. The film centres around a fox called Tag who is fostered by a fox hound and becomes great friends with Merlin, one of the dogs he grew up with. He is always far too clever for the fox hunters who are after him and despite many attempts they are never able to catch him.
The film takes a rather dark turn half way through when the fox leads the foxhounds on to a railway line when a train is coming and there is complete carnage as a lot of the dogs are killed.
This leads Eric Porter to become totally obsessed with catching the fox. He won't go after it with a gun, he is determined to hunt it down in the usual way. It becomes a battle of wills between him and the fox. Merlin the dog will not attack the fox owing to their friendship.
A wonderful film, beautifully photographed, it briefly touches on the ethics of hunting early on. This is unlikely to be on TV again since fox hunting has been banned but the DVD is well worth seeing. It is impossible to watch without rooting for the fox.
The film takes a rather dark turn half way through when the fox leads the foxhounds on to a railway line when a train is coming and there is complete carnage as a lot of the dogs are killed.
This leads Eric Porter to become totally obsessed with catching the fox. He won't go after it with a gun, he is determined to hunt it down in the usual way. It becomes a battle of wills between him and the fox. Merlin the dog will not attack the fox owing to their friendship.
A wonderful film, beautifully photographed, it briefly touches on the ethics of hunting early on. This is unlikely to be on TV again since fox hunting has been banned but the DVD is well worth seeing. It is impossible to watch without rooting for the fox.
Great Film.
andrew_cousins13 August 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I really enjoyed this movie, although it was a little slow in places.
It documents well the undeniable cruelty and arrogance of the British hunting community without showing too much gore.
I couldn't help thinking during one particular scene, as I'm sure many people who have respect for British wildlife will, it's a shame about the hounds, I wish it was the huntsmen lined up on those railway tracks.
I hope that this film will continue to be watched by future generations and that it may help children to love nature and understand why torturing and butchering native wildlife or any animals for pleasure is wrong and further encourage them to condemn and shame those involved in this cruel 'sport'.
It documents well the undeniable cruelty and arrogance of the British hunting community without showing too much gore.
I couldn't help thinking during one particular scene, as I'm sure many people who have respect for British wildlife will, it's a shame about the hounds, I wish it was the huntsmen lined up on those railway tracks.
I hope that this film will continue to be watched by future generations and that it may help children to love nature and understand why torturing and butchering native wildlife or any animals for pleasure is wrong and further encourage them to condemn and shame those involved in this cruel 'sport'.
an outstanding film full of symbolism
spj-430 January 2006
I regard this movie as a classic ahead of its time! Made in the early 1970s, it starts with a rather dire scenario in the age where fox hunting was the norm, but this movie dares to question the status quo in that setting. It also introduces an interracial mix of a pair of unlikely mates, creatures against all odds, bound in their friendship & respect & mutual love.
It was skillfully crafted against a plot of human romance & love & frailty, but where the protagonists were presented as daring to think beyond the square, sadly lacking in our current society of the 21st millennium, where anyone who dares to think of broader options is to be regarded as a fraud or a terrorist for daring to question rationalists or political cheats who wish to remain unchallenged, and mostly do! But this movie is much more than a fable. It has a couple of moments of cinema that should remain clasped in the heart of movie lovers. And still beyond, it is a tale of the oppressed, the downtrodden, the humbled & the tortured, across mankind & into nature too. It is FOOD for the soul & the spirit of creature & man & God alike, for those who have eyes to see & ears to hear!
It was skillfully crafted against a plot of human romance & love & frailty, but where the protagonists were presented as daring to think beyond the square, sadly lacking in our current society of the 21st millennium, where anyone who dares to think of broader options is to be regarded as a fraud or a terrorist for daring to question rationalists or political cheats who wish to remain unchallenged, and mostly do! But this movie is much more than a fable. It has a couple of moments of cinema that should remain clasped in the heart of movie lovers. And still beyond, it is a tale of the oppressed, the downtrodden, the humbled & the tortured, across mankind & into nature too. It is FOOD for the soul & the spirit of creature & man & God alike, for those who have eyes to see & ears to hear!
Were the animals all right ?
indieminorbird816 May 2014
I watched the Belstone fox recently ,I thought it was beautiful. But one thing that concerns me Were Any Animals Injures > And where is Tag now ? I'm sorry I Love animals and I when the movie finished I din't see No Animals Were Harmed , Please if anyone could help , This would stop me from worrry. Generally overall I found it to be very touching , greaqt acting all cast includiing Animals. I could not taake my eyes of the movie.It;s a great movie to unwind and relax. I thought the directing was well done and the chemistry between the cast was outstanding. I would definitely watch it again and even recommend it to those who just want a familoy moviem The scenery was outdtanding as it made me feel like I was actuall there.
Ahab and the White Whale
KayMack2310 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Ratings: All films are given ten, then stars are removed per errors- such as bad acting, direction, writing, dialogue etc. I found no egregious errors, nor inexcusable ones in this film.
This film has not been seen by your humble reviewer in over 35 long years. One of the nostalgia over-the-air networks aired it this evening, a rarely aired (& I believe, not available on DVD? possibly out of print on VHS) film. British cinema of the 1970s is a lot like pizza: always good, even if it's bad it's still edible. The Belstone Fox is one of those typical '70s era memorable and good films you will never forget.
The plot is the man vs. mythical enemy, in this case Tag the fox as the whale. Ahab/Asher actually helped wean it, his hunting dog brought it home discovering the helpless kit, it's mother was savagely killed by local men in her own den while she was nursing her kits. The fox isn't magic, just wily and intelligent as most wild creatures can be. That is one of the heavy, morbid scenes in the film, there is one other and it goes on for what seems a tortuous eternity:
***spoiler alert ahead*** "Tag" the fox led one of the hunting party's pack into the path of a train. It's very distressing and I thought, quite realistic. Now, suspend disbelief, it's possible (even dialogue in the film supports this) that the train carnage was not by design and just a tragic, if not coincidental result of a fox eluding his pursuers. **END of Spoiler
Carry on past this point
But! Oh this tricky fox- the fox somehow gives an impression to the viewer that it was intentional, not by word or narration but through some very creative direction and camera work -not an easy task. However, hang-dog look is simple work, and with Asher's Foxhound there is a moment it gives him a contemptuous glance, as if to say "for shame... such cruelty!" The fox's elusive tactic and seemingly intelligent tricks make him a bit of a local folk hero, gaining humorous story in a hunting mag to boot. Asher goes mad and seeks vengeance over elusive Tag, and gets a chastisement from the hunting party.
The entire film is particularly enjoyable, and a small portion of my childhood being spent in this 1970s era, and I've had my share of helpless tortured animal gets revenge on cruel man films- and believe me, there were several in the 1970s, this one is markedly different. It doesn't cloy. It uses real talent, and the film is made up of more than just the plot.
This film has not been seen by your humble reviewer in over 35 long years. One of the nostalgia over-the-air networks aired it this evening, a rarely aired (& I believe, not available on DVD? possibly out of print on VHS) film. British cinema of the 1970s is a lot like pizza: always good, even if it's bad it's still edible. The Belstone Fox is one of those typical '70s era memorable and good films you will never forget.
The plot is the man vs. mythical enemy, in this case Tag the fox as the whale. Ahab/Asher actually helped wean it, his hunting dog brought it home discovering the helpless kit, it's mother was savagely killed by local men in her own den while she was nursing her kits. The fox isn't magic, just wily and intelligent as most wild creatures can be. That is one of the heavy, morbid scenes in the film, there is one other and it goes on for what seems a tortuous eternity:
***spoiler alert ahead*** "Tag" the fox led one of the hunting party's pack into the path of a train. It's very distressing and I thought, quite realistic. Now, suspend disbelief, it's possible (even dialogue in the film supports this) that the train carnage was not by design and just a tragic, if not coincidental result of a fox eluding his pursuers. **END of Spoiler
Carry on past this point
But! Oh this tricky fox- the fox somehow gives an impression to the viewer that it was intentional, not by word or narration but through some very creative direction and camera work -not an easy task. However, hang-dog look is simple work, and with Asher's Foxhound there is a moment it gives him a contemptuous glance, as if to say "for shame... such cruelty!" The fox's elusive tactic and seemingly intelligent tricks make him a bit of a local folk hero, gaining humorous story in a hunting mag to boot. Asher goes mad and seeks vengeance over elusive Tag, and gets a chastisement from the hunting party.
The entire film is particularly enjoyable, and a small portion of my childhood being spent in this 1970s era, and I've had my share of helpless tortured animal gets revenge on cruel man films- and believe me, there were several in the 1970s, this one is markedly different. It doesn't cloy. It uses real talent, and the film is made up of more than just the plot.
Belstone Fox and Hunting
bill-mendy3 January 2012
Just in case anyone gets the impression from the first review that this film is strictly for bunny-huggers, I copy in a comment from the Horse & Hound forum. My hunt (still hunting within the law) is arranging a viewing at the local cinema. So it apparently has broad appeal. Lest we forget, the only European leader to ban fox-hunting before Tony Blair was a vegetarian with a strange set of priorities (A. Hitler).
"This must be one of the best British films that covers the life of a hunt.I have seen it many times and the music and scenery are just beautiful..I read the book on which the film is based ,The ballad of the Belstone fox,by David Rook..it appears from the names given that the hunt is based on the Cottesmore hunt..or possibly the Belvoir..If you haven't seen it well worth getting a DVD or video as great film for fans of horses and hunting...I do seem to remember a few scenes that appear to be deleted or cut from the original film..perhaps you too may have noticed this..has the film been cut??TALLY HO"
"This must be one of the best British films that covers the life of a hunt.I have seen it many times and the music and scenery are just beautiful..I read the book on which the film is based ,The ballad of the Belstone fox,by David Rook..it appears from the names given that the hunt is based on the Cottesmore hunt..or possibly the Belvoir..If you haven't seen it well worth getting a DVD or video as great film for fans of horses and hunting...I do seem to remember a few scenes that appear to be deleted or cut from the original film..perhaps you too may have noticed this..has the film been cut??TALLY HO"
poor
jgoodliffe17 October 2000
A sentimental story about a master of fox hounds who falls for the fox. The actors do their best but the script ludicrous. Direction is completely over the top.
A good illustration of why British film making is such a failure
A good illustration of why British film making is such a failure
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