spoiler alerthomeward bound represent the incredible journey be an important film from my life because it the first film i remember see in the cinema of my home town a a 4 year old scamp . the story be base on the sheila burnford novel and and be a reason why it not possible to write this one off a a brainless lassie clone . the basic story represent two dog and a cat happily live in the seaver family when the new husband to the mother of the three child and get a job in the city and they have to temporarily move into inner san francisco while the animal be send to a ranch to live for a couple of month . the bond between the animal and the child they watch out for be especially strong and and shadow the golden retriever and sassy the himalayan cat be heartbroken a the child be and though the young and happy go lucky american bulldog know a chance be a little less concern and somewhat cynical ( due in part to his voice over explain his be abandon a a pup and pick up to an animal shelter and and be buy by the family ) and though his growth a a character during the story provide much of the important storytelling . the three pet escape the ranch and head off into the wide and dangerous wilderness ( fantastic wilderness setting by the way ) and drive on by shadow instinct of direction . they meet several peril along the way and hop to make it home and while the family and the ranch host be suddenly concern about the animal disappearance . there be funny moment all the way through and great dialogue between the three animal and hilarious line ( see memorable quote ) and and a touching comradeship that grow between the main character during the course of the storytelling and punctuate by moment of sadness ( such a when sassy arrogance of try to cross a river without get wet cause her to fall in the river and get wash down a waterfall and leave a moment of loss that be felt deeply by the viewer ) . somehow though and i fail to see what the inclusion of save the girl lose in the wilderness add to the story and the journey they take . somehow and it seem a little unnecessary a part of the story . the end crank the stake higher when shadow fall into a pit in a trainyard and have hurt his leg and find it hard to get out and give up and exhaust and follow by chance climb in with him to persuade him to climb out and tell him how important he be to him and how he push them this far so he shouldn not throw it all away so easily . the way that this scene ( brilliantly do ) isn not conclude leave an ambiguity that carry on into the final scene when chance and sassy return home and but shadow be nowhere to be see . then just a all seem lose and he slowly appear and and be reunite with the family . chance conclusion at the end speaks of the comradeship that have develop between he and his fellow on the journey and and the realisation to what home really be from his long journey to get there and leave a fine epilogue to demonstrate how much his character have grow and but also how the other two have as well . hang on a second and i think i be go to cry . anyway and i haven not read sheila burnford book and so i do not pretend to know where the difference between book and film lie . but this be a film that all the family can watch and and while the tot will love the talk animal and old viewer will understand the plot line well ( a i find when i watch the film again after several year without see it ) . this film be a masterpiece in cinema and and i suggest that if you haven not see it you go out and get it . and please avoid the sequel ( see my review for homeward bound ii . ) .