AN AMERICAN TAIL
Patriotic dog at heart of animated film linked to a real-life canine war hero
Before you go mocking this heartfelt animated movie about the heroic exploits of a First World War canine, you should know that there was a real Sgt. Stubby, part of the U.S. 102nd Infantry Regiment during the conflict. The pooch received a battlefield promotion and, after the war, marched in parades,
showing off an impressive collection of medals.
Wounded in action? Captured a German spy? Kept the trenches clear of vermin? All true. As are the stories that he warned soldiers of incoming artillery shells, grenades and mustard gas. Although that last bit isn’t too surprising when you consider that in the trenches, the question of “What is it boy?” would never be answered by the news that little Timmy had fallen down the well. It was always some version of “Take cover!”
Director Richard Lanni keeps things as light as possible, as Stubby infiltrates a Connecticut army base and is adopted by Pte. Robert Conroy (Logan Lerman). Conroy teaches the dog to salute, which helps endear the mutt to his commanding officers, who allow him to stay on as a mascot. Overseas, Stubby and Conroy are inseparable; both of them bond with a friendly French soldier named Gaston (Gérard Depardieu).
The movie is narrated by Helena Bonham Carter, playing Conroy’s sister and recipient of his letters home.
And while it may somewhat sanitize the experience of war, it gets bonus marks for including the fact that some U.S. troops were forced into battle mere minutes before the start of the official ceasefire on Nov. 11. Even a dog has to shake his head at that kind of stupidity.