Synopsis

In 19th-century Flanders, orphaned Nello lives in poverty with his grandfather and forms a devoted bond with Patrasche, an abandoned dog he rescues. Nello dreams of becoming a painter and finds inspiration in the work of Peter Paul Rubens, while enduring hardship, social prejudice, and the disapproval of his wealthy neighbors. His friendship with Alois offers hope amid increasingly difficult circumstances.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film is based on Ouida's 1872 children's novel A Dog of Flanders, a story that became especially well known in Japan despite its Belgian setting.

• The production was filmed on location in Belgium, using rural landscapes, farms, windmills, and historic architecture to recreate 19th-century Flanders. Ironically, the movie was not filmed in Antwerp, the city associated with the story.

• The film was produced by Woodbridge Films and released in North America, the United Kingdom, and Ireland by Warner Bros. on August 27, 1999.

• This version is one of several feature-film adaptations of Ouida's novel. Earlier screen versions include films released in 1914, 1924, 1935, 1959, and a Japanese animated feature released in 1997.

• The story's depiction of Rubens' art reflects a central theme of the novel: Nello's artistic ambition and his admiration for the paintings displayed in Antwerp Cathedral.

• The production had a reported budget of approximately $7 million and earned about $2.2 million in theatrical release.