Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero
Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero | |
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Directed by | Richard Lanni |
Screenplay by |
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Produced by |
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Starring | |
Edited by | Mark Solomon |
Music by | Patrick Doyle |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | Fun Academy Motion Pictures |
Release dates |
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Running time | 84 minutes |
Countries |
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Language | English |
Budget | $25 million[1] |
Box office | $3.8 million[2] |
Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero is a 2018 computer-animated adventure film centering on the real-life Sergeant Stubby, a stray Staffordshire Bull Terrier[3][4][5] who becomes a hero during World War I. Directed and co-written by Richard Lanni, it features the voices of Logan Lerman, Helena Bonham Carter and Gérard Depardieu. The film was released in North America on April 13, 2018 by Fun Academy Motion Pictures.[6] It received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised it for its "sensitivity and charm", but grossed just $3.8 million against its $25 million budget.[7]
Plot
With World War I looming, young U.S. Army doughboy Robert Conroy (Logan Lerman) has his life forever changed when a little dog with a stubby tail wanders into camp, as the men of the 102nd Infantry Regiment (United States), 26th Infantry Division (United States) train on the parade grounds of Yale University. Conroy gives his new friend a name, a family, and a chance to embark on the adventure that would define a century.[8]
Despite lacking formal military working dog training, Stubby and his human companions find themselves in the trenches of France and on the path to history. French poilu Gaston Baptiste (Gérard Depardieu) befriends the duo, and accompanies them along their epic journey through harsh conditions and incredible acts of courage.
As narrated by Robert's sister Margaret (Helena Bonham Carter), Stubby's combat service includes sniffing incoming gas attacks, finding wounded allies in No Man's Land, and even catching a German infiltrator in the trenches. Back home, Stubby's exploits are retold in newspapers across the country.[9]
For his valorous actions, Stubby is still recognized as the most decorated dog in American history and the first canine ever promoted to the rank of Sergeant in the United States Army.
Cast
- Logan Lerman as Robert Conroy[10]
- Helena Bonham Carter as Margaret Conroy
- Gérard Depardieu as Gaston Baptiste
- Jim Pharr as Hans Schroeder
- Jordan Beck as Elmer Olsen
- Jason Ezzell as Sgt. Ray Casburn
Sgt. Stubby himself does not speak, as the filmmakers wanted to maintain as much historical accuracy as possible while still making WWI accessible for kids.[11]
Production
On November 8, 2016, it was announced that Fun Academy Motion Pictures, a production studio based in Columbus, Georgia, would produce an animated film based on the life of the World War I dog, Sergeant Stubby, titled Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero.[12] The film was animated by Mikros Image in Montreal and Paris,[1] was directed by Richard Lanni, and written by Lanni, with Mike Stokey. The film involved Bibo Bergeron as head of story,[6] and was composed by Patrick Doyle.[13]
Release
The film was released in North America on April 13, 2018.[14] On June 15, 2017, Fun Academy Motion Pictures released a teaser trailer for the film on their YouTube channel.[10] On December 1, 2017, the first theatrical teaser trailer was released in theaters across North America.[15][16]
Reception
Box office
In the United States and Canada, Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero was released alongside the openings of Blumhouse's Truth or Dare and Rampage, and the wide expansion of Isle of Dogs, and was projected to gross around $2 million from 1,685 theaters in its opening weekend.[17] It made $350,000 on its first day and $1.3 million over its opening weekend, finishing 15th.[18]
Critical response
On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 84%, based on 32 reviews, and an average rating of 6.5/10.[19] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 57 out of 100, based on 13 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews."[20] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.[18]
References
- ^ a b Failes, Ian (November 18, 2016). "Mikros Image On Board For 'Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero'". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
- ^ "Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero (2018)". The Numbers. Nash Information Services. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
- ^ Adam (May 30, 2016). Bull Terrier.com/2016/05/famous-Staffordshire Bull-terrier-sgt-stubby-getting-movie/ "Famous Staffordshire Bull Terrier Sgt. Stubby Is Getting A Movie".
{{cite web}}
: Check|url=
value (help) - ^ Mintzer, Jordan (April 11, 2018). "Logan Lerman, Helena Bonham Carter and Gerard Depardieu voiced this animated true story of a dog who battled the Germans during the First World War".
- ^ Bausum, Ann. "Meet the Real Sergeant Stubby".
- ^ a b Amidi, Amid (June 21, 2017). "FIRST LOOK: 'Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero' [Teaser]". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
- ^ Giles, Jeff (April 12, 2018). "Rampage Is Exactly What You Think It Is". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
- ^ "A Dog Gets Ready For War In First Trailer For 'Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero'". Movie Pilot. June 16, 2017. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
{{cite web}}
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suggested) (help)[permanent dead link] - ^ Kane, Gillian (May 7, 2014). "Meet Sergeant Stubby, America's Original Dog of War". Slate. Graham Holdings Company. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- ^ Mayer, Theo (May 3, 2017). "EPISODE #18, MAY 3, 2017 - BOEING HISTORIAN INSIGHT ON BILL BOEING AND SGT. STUBBY THE FILM UPDATE". U.S. World War I Centennial Commission Podcast. PodBean. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- ^ AWN Staff Editor (November 8, 2016). "Fun Academy Partners with Mikros Image on 'Sgt. Stubby' Feature". Animation World Network. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
{{cite web}}
:|author=
has generic name (help) - ^ Busch, Anita (June 15, 2017). "'Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero' Teaser Trailer: Animated WWI Dog Tale". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
- ^ "Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero". ComingSoon.net. CraveOnline Media. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
- ^ "SGT. STUBBY Official US Teaser Trailer 02 (2018)". Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero. YouTube. December 1, 2017. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- ^ Amidi, Amid (December 1, 2017). "Indie CG Feature 'Sgt. Stubby' Gets New Teaser". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 11, 2018). "'Rampage' Could Climb To $40M, But Dwayne Johnson-Ape Pic Looks To Make More Bananas Abroad". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
- ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 16, 2018). "The Rock Rebounds: 'Rampage' Shushes 'A Quiet Place' With $35.7M No. 1 Opening". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
- ^ "Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
- ^ "Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 21, 2018.