This is a very moving story of a little boy and his best friend, a dog named Clown. I first saw this movie as an "After School Special" when I was 9 years old, and fell in love with it. As a little kid who was passionate about my own pets, (a cat, dog, and pony) I got choked up for years just thinking about the little boy in "Clown" and his plight. I'd really love to see this again, but can't find it available anywhere. If I remember correctly, nothing was spoken in this movie, which I believe added to the poignancy and beauty of it. And besides, the little boy was so expressive with his face that no words were needed. The ending is a heart wrencher but not in an "Old Yeller" sense. You'll lose your heart to the little kid!
4 Reviews
Remarkable
rayleigh27 August 2003
This simple but deeply moving film made such a lasting impression on the members of our high school creative writing class that we talked about it at our 25th reunion. I hope "Clown" becomes available on dvd; a new generation of students should be exposed to its message.
The CBS Children's International Film Festival Staple
lambiepie-210 February 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Indulge me for a moment. My eyes are tearing as I write this. This was one of the best little films, ever. Very sad, but very uplifting. And it was important to me because this was one of the films shown in American on a program called the Children's Film Festival on the CBS network back in the 60's and early 70's on Saturday Mornings/Early Saturday Afternoons.
How I wish those days were back. How I wish children could be children and see what we saw and remember it for a lifetime.
The Children's International Film Festival showed the best films: The Red Balloon, J.T. and Clown, among many, many others.
Clown was the saddest and if I remember correctly...no or not much dialog. I had dogs, so did my friends and as children we loved them, unconditionally and they loved us. And this little boy loved his dog, Clown. Clown was his best friend and visa versa. They were romping and playing together, and he loses clown. It's heartbreaking to see this little boy comb his town (Spain?) to find this dog. You feel for him. You do. This child is so honest, so true to find his dog.
And when he finally finds his dog, you heart breaks - your heart swells.
Gotta share with anyone who is reading this that I miss the wonder of children on film (ages 5 to 11) and film and TV showing how wonderful they are in many environments. What I see today saddens me of what they're doing for children actors and for children watchers. THe major networks in America really have nothing solid for that age range and the Children's (International) Film Festival is surely missed. There are great minds out there - bring it back. And when you do, find films like Clown and JT and The Red Balloon, et al. They are gems.
But until that time, find this one. Sit down as a family and watch it. Then talk to your children when its over about it.
This is a wonderful little film.
How I wish those days were back. How I wish children could be children and see what we saw and remember it for a lifetime.
The Children's International Film Festival showed the best films: The Red Balloon, J.T. and Clown, among many, many others.
Clown was the saddest and if I remember correctly...no or not much dialog. I had dogs, so did my friends and as children we loved them, unconditionally and they loved us. And this little boy loved his dog, Clown. Clown was his best friend and visa versa. They were romping and playing together, and he loses clown. It's heartbreaking to see this little boy comb his town (Spain?) to find this dog. You feel for him. You do. This child is so honest, so true to find his dog.
And when he finally finds his dog, you heart breaks - your heart swells.
Gotta share with anyone who is reading this that I miss the wonder of children on film (ages 5 to 11) and film and TV showing how wonderful they are in many environments. What I see today saddens me of what they're doing for children actors and for children watchers. THe major networks in America really have nothing solid for that age range and the Children's (International) Film Festival is surely missed. There are great minds out there - bring it back. And when you do, find films like Clown and JT and The Red Balloon, et al. They are gems.
But until that time, find this one. Sit down as a family and watch it. Then talk to your children when its over about it.
This is a wonderful little film.
Captivating
Tombaugh11 September 2003
I saw this film in elementary school. I remember it still today. It is so short but to an elementary aged child it was LONG in how every minute of it said 'something'. I was glued to it because I was so concerned for the boy and his dog. I would so love to share this movie with my sons. I remember also seeing "The Red Balloon". The two films spoke volumes, yet very little if anything was said. That says a lot about the impact gestures make, so much so words are not needed. These films speak to everyone and break the barriers of language, heritage, and deafness. I too hope that this film becomes available on DVD.
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