Richard Gere is starring in an upcoming flick, Hachiko: A Dog’s Tale, releasing in US theaters in October 2009. The film, which might also be referred to as Hachiko: A Dog’s Story, is going to be a heart-warming family movie, adapted from a 1987 Japanese film (Hachiko Monogatari), and based on the true story about a devoted dog. The film releases in Japan in August.
Three adult Akitas - Chico, Layla, and Forrest - played the role of Hachiko, depicting different parts of the dog’s life. The movie also stars Joan Allen, Sarah Roemer, Erick Avari, and Jason Alexander.
From what we’ve found, the movie will closely follow the true story of Hachiko and his owner, even though the new movie is set in modern day America, instead of 1924 Japan.
Here the official Hachiko: A Dog's Tale movie trailer:
A little of the history and legacy of Hachiko
Each morning, a once abandoned Akita, Hachiko walked with his owner, Professor Ueno, to the Shibuya Train Station, where the dog watched his owner leave for work. Each evening, the dog would return to the train station to greet his owner when his train arrived after work. The pair continued this tradition until one evening, the owner didn’t return on his train (he had a stroke while at work and died, never returning to the station where his dog waited). After the Professor’s death, Hachiko kept his routine of waiting for his master at the station in the evening. Sadly his master never returned, but other commuters were touched by the dog’s devotion and would bring him treats while he waited. For 10 years following the Professor’s death, the dog showed up in the evening about the time the train pulled into the station.
The dog passed away in 1935, but his stuffed remains have a permanent home in the Natural Science Museum of Japan in Tokyo. A statue of Hachiko was erected at Shibuya Station in 1934 to honor the dog’s devotion. During World War II the statue was sadly recycled, but in 1948 the original artist’s son created and stood a new statue of Hachiko, which still stands at the popular meeting spot. Each year in April, there is a quiet ceremony, remembering Hachiko’s life and mission.
Aug 17, 2009 at 7:35 PM I have looked at the trailer for the film, & have No Idea how Richard Gere & screen wife fit into the story. Hachiko was a Japanese Akita, owned by a Japanese Professor, in the '30's in Japan. I owned an Akita for almost 12 years & am quite familiar with the story. (the only variable in the telling is old old Hachiko was when he died & how many years he waited at the station.)
I don't recall anything about a puppy falling out of a shipping box, or 2 middle American white people.
Wasn't Hachiko's story good enough? I always thought it was a wonderful true story & did Not need to be dressed up or made Whiter to interest people who love dogs. If the trailer is any indication, I & many other Akita People will give this film a pass. :(
Aug 20, 2009 at 1:48 PM I agree with you partly D.Shields. It seems Hollywood put their own spin on the great tale of Hachiko, and "Americanized" it, but I think the movie still has potential, whether it is historically accurate or not. I hope that if you see it, you will let us know (from an Akita owner standpoint) what you thought. We will no doubt be seeing and reviewing it too.
Aug 29, 2009 at 4:11 PM As a animal lover/trainer/friend for over 40 years I see a rush of people to obtain Akita's thinking it is the only breed that is capable of such acts of loyalty when any breed of dog, mutt or pure and even a cat is capable of such a devotion. It is not the breed that creates the loyalty and devotion it is LOVE.
Sep 8, 2009 at 10:58 AM I have a much beloved 4 year old neutered male Akita. What bothers me the most about this movie (and this is in no way the movies fault) is that many people will be rushing out to buy Akita puppies with no idea of what raising and training of this breed entails. There are already so many Akitas left in shelters when they reach maturity due to problems with behavior that are due ONLY to lack of proper training.
Nov 7, 2009 at 6:28 PM I agree with you D. Shields, I thought the Hachiko book was good enough and did not need to be made into a film.It will just make people seeing it think "Oh What a cute dog they chose for the movie." And not understand the true meaning of the film.I do not like how they added a "special" twist to the book, only to make the film more confusing.In my opinoin I think that Hollywood is just insulting the Japanese tales.And like what you said D. Shields, I don`t recall Hachiko falling out of a box. I don`t like it when people make a wonderful story and change it into a film to make a "tribute" to the book. So, due to these comments and mine I am not going to be one of these people to see this film.
Jan 7, 2010 at 3:30 PM I agree with D. Shields and Kim Rudolph totally. I also add that´s better watch the original movie.
Feb 4, 2010 at 5:00 PM D. Shield let me tell you now, if you love the animal the nationality of the actors should not and will not matter. I have seen this film and it is incredible. I am a grown man and tears were pouring out of my eyes, and have never in my life seen a more beautiful thing, Richard Gere play a role, but Hachiko is truly the star. Please keep an open mind and watch this I dare to say "Masterpiece".
Feb 11, 2010 at 3:40 AM i watched it awhile ago and it made me cry...cant help it...especialy in the last two scenes of hachi, when mrs. wilson saw hachi still waiting at the train station and the last scene where he was walking slowly going to his place at the train station and slowly falling to "sleep"
Feb 12, 2010 at 5:43 AM The movie is great, it touch my heart. I have two dogs and I love then both. I also read the true story of Hachiko. The Hachiko: A Dog’s Story claimed only it is “base on a true Story” not the actual scenario. It is funny to think you guys that the true meaning of the movie is affected only by the falling shipping box, its that the way you think…
Mar 29, 2010 at 3:10 PM i watched the movie this weekend. it was wonderful. it doesn't matter who played the role of the owner/owners. if you r a true animal lover, you can't help but love this wonderful, heart felt move. it moved me to tears. i loved it in its entirety. this is a wonderful testament of mans/womens best friend.
May 20, 2010 at 7:06 PM I watched the American movie last month in Australia. The depiction of an astounding tale of loyalty left me in tears for days. And more days. It caused me to research and discover the truth of the real Hachiko behind the movie. It matters not how the story was depicted - just that it was. I would probably not have known about Hachiko and the original movie. Now I will find the original and watch that one too. Because of the American movie - shipping box et al - I have been reminded of the incredible devotion between man and his best friend (which I have experienced three times in my life with German Shepherds) and I salute Hachiko. Just enjoy. A beautiful movie about a very special soul mate. (My daughter is in Tokyo as i speak here, and she knows which train station she has to visit!!!! Or Else!!)
Jun 13, 2010 at 10:06 AM It doesn't matter what race or who made the movie!
Hachiko's original story is wonderful and so is the movie.
Jul 19, 2010 at 5:32 AM I don't agree with D. Shields. If Mr. Gere didn't make a version of this movie. I will not have a chance to know Hachiko. I am now 25 years old and never have idea that Hachiko existed before watching this film and now I love Hachiko after watching this. I hope people will look this film as a whole and knowing what the message is. By the way i've watched the Japanese version and liked it also but i can't understand what they're saying because im not Japanese.
Jul 26, 2010 at 3:25 PM As the poster says - the movie was inspired by a true story. It does not claim to be accurate. Those who refuse to watch the movie simply because there has been a little tweaking of the story line will miss what appears to be a beautiful movie. And those who have a problem with it being a "white" version have totally missed the point. This is about something that transcends time, place and ethnicity. I fully intend to see it and those who don't...well, my gain, your loss.
Jul 29, 2010 at 3:32 AM the movie is truly amazing i am an 11 year old. tears were pouring out of my eyes. this was touching