Shepherd: The Story of a Jewish Dog

This is not an Academy Award movie certainly, and the acting is low key at best, but Shepherd none the less tells a compelling story of love between man and dog. If you have never felt the bond that only a devoted dog can instill within you then you will undoubtedly treat this film with disdain, simply because it was low budget; but if you can overcome that prejudice, you will feel something important inside. It is a chronicle of Caleb, a German Shepherd, from his birth to the final escape from the horrors of the Holocaust. It is NOT a particularly impressive film overall and was not created as an hour and thirty-three-minute block buster; it simply did not attempt to do so. It is far more i you are willing to overlook the limitations low budget creates...give it a look see, most will not be disappointed...

"Shepherd: The Story of a Jewish Dog" is a family adventure drama with the historical backdrop of WWII. The film follows the journey of Caleb, a German Shepherd who is taken from his family due to a Nazi ban on pets. He is then trained by the SS to attack Jewish prisoners. Eventually, Caleb is reunited with his former owner, Joshua, who is now a prisoner in the same camp. Together with other desperate prisoners, they plan a daring escape mission. The film avoids excessive sentimentality and downplays the horrific imagery and gut-wrenching emotions usually seen in Holocaust-era films. It keeps the tension and terror within the PG range, making it very accessible for younger viewers to watch with older family members who will also find it compelling. The film manages to strike the right tone, delivering an honest but palatable history lesson about the Holocaust. The cute puppies serve as a lure for younger viewers, while the dog's sharp abilities make it a compelling addition to the cast. The film is nicely shot and rendered on a seemingly modest budget, with Hungary substituting for Germany. "Shepherd: The Story of a Jewish Dog", directed and written by Lynn Roth, is emotionally engaging and worth watching. It offers a unique perspective on the Holocaust and highlights the bravery and resilience of those affected by it. The film's message is poignant, reminding us of the power of compassion, even in the darkest of times.

This was truly a beautiful story told thru the eyes of a little boy (August Maturo) about his journey with his German shepherd during WW2 Nazi Germany. I felt it was such a great way to talk about a heart wrenching time in history but in a way to still be enjoyed by the whole family. This was such a different dramatic side of Maturo who delivered an incredible performance full of heart and in some parts gut wrenching. This film is a must see and will leave you wanting for more. Bravo to the film makers for making such a film about a topic not often enough spoken about and to Maturo for the memorable performance 👍👍

This movie strikes you to the core, whilst reminding us of the persecution faced by Jews under the Nazi legislation. This is an absolute tear jerker, but is one of the most heartbreaking yet heartwarming movies about the concentration camps and 'mans best friend' that I've ever watched In my opinion, I rate it higher than 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas,' something I didn't think possible until this release.

This is a drama about the Holocaust so it is not a family film but a good drama with the beautiful Caleb being the star actor. It is a film that depicts the bond between a young boy and his Alsatian and is portrayed very well. It is sad from the start and of course is a tragic topic but one that should be told. It is not a family film as young children should not be burdened with the pain of this era.

This movie is so full of heartfelt moments. In the darkest of chapters, this story depicts love, bravery, and resilience. I'm so glad I saw it with children (10 and 12) who were able to learn about the Holocaust thru the perspective of a boy and his dog. A must see film for everyone

My Canaani, Waffle who may well be a descendent of Caleb was howling in unison during parts of this lovely and unique story. This is not a high budget film and nor does it have Academy Award winning acting but it is and inspiring and memorable story that will stay with me when so much fluff I view does not.

"Shepherd: The Story of a Jewish Dog" is a family adventure drama with the historical backdrop of WWII. The film follows the journey of Caleb, a German Shepherd who is taken from his family due to a Nazi ban on pets. He is then trained by the SS to attack Jewish prisoners. Eventually, Caleb is reunited with his former owner, Joshua, who is now a prisoner in the same camp. Together with other desperate prisoners, they plan a daring escape mission. The film avoids excessive sentimentality and downplays the horrific imagery and gut-wrenching emotions usually seen in Holocaust-era films. It keeps the tension and terror within the PG range, making it very accessible for younger viewers to watch with older family members who will also find it compelling. The film manages to strike the right tone, delivering an honest but palatable history lesson about the Holocaust. The cute puppies serve as a lure for younger viewers, while the dog's sharp abilities make it a compelling addition to the cast. The film is nicely shot and rendered on a seemingly modest budget, with Hungary substituting for Germany. "Shepherd: The Story of a Jewish Dog", directed and written by Lynn Roth, is emotionally engaging and worth watching. It offers a unique perspective on the Holocaust and highlights the bravery and resilience of those affected by it. The film's message is poignant, reminding us of the power of compassion, even in the darkest of times.

I didn't see more than a few minutes but was slow and boring. Maybe in the future I'll give it a second chance, but if you are -8 years old and adore dogs, you probably enjoy it. And for the record, I do love good and well telling dog movies (e.g. Marley & Me, Hachiko, and others) and I could underestimating this by the slow start but is (at the first ten minutes at least) unsufferable.