Parents' Guide to

Shepherd: The Story of a Jewish Dog

By Stefan Pape, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Tender if flawed WWII drama about dog and boy's friendship.

Movie NR 2020 93 minutes
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This movie is a tender family drama with its heart in the right place. The storytelling methods are conventional, however, and sadly though the narrative is full of positive messages -- really pushing the idea of equality and how we're all the same -- the movie does suffer from a clichéd screenplay, and mediocre acting.

Shepherd: The Story of a Jewish Dog delves into the horrors of WWII from a unique viewpoint, that of a child. Similar to Life is Beautiful, it highlights the barbaric nature of war through a simple, yet profound perspective. To have a dog at the core of the film works well too. Kaleb hold no judgement, sees people for who they are, and attaches himself to kindness, not religion or race. With so many positives, it's just a shame this story is not told in a more creative, or accomplished way.

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