Old Yeller1957Old Yeller
1957
With their father away on a long cattle drive, young Travis is the man of the house on their Texas homestead. A stray yellow dog shows up and steals the family's meat, and Travis's heart, and becomes the family's fierce protector through a hard frontier season.
The default: films the whole family can watch together; any scary or intense moments for the littlest viewers are flagged in the Context Notes.
Why it’s here
A boy left as man of the house learns responsibility and, in the end, must make the hardest choice of his young life. A tender, honest look at loss, with a father's wise words about taking the bitter with the good.
Context notes
For parents, before you press play.
Old Yeller fights wolves, a bear, and wild hogs, then catches rabies and Travis must shoot him, so prepare sensitive children for the ending. The film treats it as a hard duty that a boy grows up by doing.
Old Yeller (1957)
Discussion questions
When the credits end, go around the room. Each person gives the film a score out of ten and says why.
- What did it mean for Travis to be the man of the house?
- Why did Travis have to do what he did at the end? Was it right?
- What did his father tell him when he came home?
- What did you think of little Arliss?
Content advisory
Common Sense Media 8+: animal fights with wolves, a bear, and wild hogs; the heartbreaking death of a beloved dog.
Trailer
Best edition
The disc comes first.
Old Yeller Blu-ray (Disney Movie Club Exclusive)
Blu-ray · February 10, 2015
Coming later
Where to stream
Streaming services are not listed yet. When they are, this note stays secondary to the disc.