The Plague Dogs (1982)

Director: Martin Rosen

Two dogs escape the research facility where they’ve been subjected to cruel experiments, and are subsequently hunted by the government because they may carry the plague.

‘The Plague Dogs’ follows the adventures of two dogs, Snitter and Rowf, who manage to escape from an animal research station. Snitter recently had a complicated brain operation, and he has a crack on his skull. He fondly remembers his master, who was sadly killed when he saved Snitter from being run over by a truck.

Now free, they set out to find a new master. Rowf is unfamiliar with the outside world and is haunted by the experiments he underwent. Unable to find a master, they realize they have to become “wild animals” in order to survive, and they must kill to eat.

They meet a fox named The Tod, who teaches them how to hunt. But hunting sheep makes them unpopular with the farmers, who sets out to hunt them down. Meanwhile, the Research Centre is also trying to find them. With growing media attention and rumours of the dogs carrying a plague, Snitter and Rowf are on the run trying to find a new home.

The third act is fast-paced and action-packed. The film cleverly never shows the faces of the human characters, and the cinematography is beautiful – often as seen from the dogs’ perspective. I felt so sad for Snitter, whose health was deteriorating due to his head injury, and him longing for his master. He is wonderfully voiced by John Hurt.

The ending makes the viewer decide how it ends, but this final moment together with that theme song made me reach for the tissues!! ‘The Plague Dogs’ reminded me of ‘Watership Down’, and no doubt will be just as memorable.

Would I watch it again? Yes.