The Incredible Journey film series (also referred to as the Homeward Bound series), consists of American adventure family-comedy films, based on the 1961 novel of the same name by Sheila Burnford. The plot centers around unlikely trios of pets, who must work together as teams to find their way back through hundreds of miles to their respective homes. Each film uses a combination of voice acting with animal actors to portray for triple leads and emote their thoughts and spirit, alongside the actors for their family of owners.
The franchise includes the 1963 critically esteemed original feature film adaptation of the novel, as well as the 1993 remake and its respective 1996 sequel. The remake was similarly a box office success and met with positive reception with critics, and its sequel was met with mixed reviews.
Origin
The 1961 British adventure children's novel by Scottish author Sheila Burnford, served as the inspiration for The Walt Disney Company's Homeward Bound film series. The story follows three pets: a young Labrador Retriever named Luath, an old English Bull Terrier named Champion Boroughcastle Brigadier of Doune (nicknamed "Bodger" for short), and a loyal Siamese cat name Tao. Together the animals brave over 300 miles through the Northwestern Ontario Canadian wilderness, searching for their masters. The events along the way portray the stress and suffering they experience along the way, as well as the loyalty and love the animals have for their owners.
Burnford has stated that though the novel is associated with children's literature, she did not write it with this intention. The author was inspired to write the story, based on the three family pets that she and her husband had while living in Canada, which each had a remarkably close relationship with each other. Following The Walt Disney Company 1963 adaptation, the studio developed a film franchise, with a reboot and its sequel.
Films Film U.S. release date Director Screenwriter(s) Producer(s) The Incredible Journey Fletcher Markle James Algar Walt Disney and James Algar Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey Duwayne Dunham Caroline Thompson and Linda Woolverton Jeffrey Chernov and Franklin R. Levy Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco David R. Ellis Chris Hauty and Julie Hickson Barry Jossen
The Incredible Journey (1963)
Professor James Hunter is the proud owner of an aging English Bull Terrier named Bodger. His children Peter and Elizabeth are the owners of a young and rambunctious Labrador Retriever named Luath and a Siamese Cat named Tao, respectively. While the Hunter family is away, they take their pets across the country to their close friend named John Longridge. Under his care, the trio of pets begin to miss their owners. When John goes for a camping trip, leaving the animals in the care of his maid, the pets' loneliness overwhelms them. The three animals decide to find their way home, braving dangers and the 250 miles between. Along the way, the trio work together to overcome hunger, wild animals, and avoid the risks of natural wildlife. Despite the long journey, the trio work together to achieve their goal and return to their owners.
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)
A trio of animals – a young and adventurous American Bulldog named Chance, a wise and aged Golden Retriever named Shadow, and a reserved Chocolate Point Himalayan Cat named Sassy – are the beloved pets of the Seaver family. When the Seavers prepare to leave for a family vacation to San Francisco, California, they leave their three beloved pets at a family friend's ranch. As the animals grow restless, they begin to suspect that they have been abandoned and left for good. Together they decide to risk their lives, working together to brave the dangerous and exciting journey through the California wilderness to find their way home.
Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco (1996)
When the Seaver family plans a family trip to Canada, they decide that this time they're bringing their three beloved pets with them. As they arrive at the San Francisco International Airport, and begin checking in their bags as well as their animals, the pets begin to panic thinking that they are being taken to the pound. As a group they break out of their carrier kennels, and rush out into the town. Together Chance, Shadow, and Sassy brave the big city which is home to various stray animals, all while avoiding the local dogcatchers. As they make new friends, the trio decides that they're not fit for vagrant lifestyle and work to once again find their owners and return home.
Main cast and characters
Character Film The Incredible Journey Homeward Bound: Homeward Bound II: Bodger Muffy Luath Rink Tao Syn Cat The Narrator Rex Allen Prof. James Hunter John Drainie Nancy Hunter Sandra Scott Peter Hunter Ronald Cohoon Elizabeth Hunter Marion Finlayson Chance Michael J. Fox Shadow Don Ameche Ralph Waite Sassy Sally Field Jaimie Burnford-Seaver Kevin Chevalia Peter Burnford-Seaver Benj Thall Hope Burnford-Seaver Veronica Lauren Laura Burnford-Seaver Kim Greist Bob Seaver Robert Hays John Longrige Émile Genest Mrs. Oakes Beth Amos Bert Oakes Eric Clavering Kate Jean Smart Frank Gary Taylor Delilah Carla Gugino Riley Sinbad Sledge Tisha Campbell Stokey Michael Bell Spike Ross Malinger Lucky Lasorda Tommy Lasorda Sparky Michaels Al Michaels Trixie Uecker Bob Uecker Pete Adam Goldberg Ashcan Jon Polito
Additional crew and production details FilmCrew/Detail Composer Cinematographer Editor(s) Production companies Distributing company Running time The Incredible Journey Oliver Wallace Kenneth Peach Norman R. Palmer Walt Disney Productions, Cangary Productions Buena Vista Distribution 1hr 20mins Homeward Bound: Bruce Broughton Reed Smoot Jonathan P. Shaw Walt Disney Pictures, Touchwood Pacific Partners I Buena Vista Pictures 1hr 24mins Homeward Bound II: Jack Conroy Peter E. Berger & Michael A. Stevenson Walt Disney Pictures, City Dog Productions 1hr 29mins
Reception
Box office and financial performance
Film North American Box office gross Box office ranking Home video sales gross Totalgross income Budget Worldwide totalnet income All-time North America All-time worldwide North America The Incredible Journey $4,200,000 >$4,200,000 ~≤$4,200,000"All-time Film Rental Champs", Variety, January 7, 1976, p 48 Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey $41,833,324 #2,107 #3,230 >$41,833,324 ~≤$41,833,324 Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco $32,709,423 #2,639 #3,817 >$32,709,423 ~≤$32,709,423 Totals >$74,542,747 x̄ #1,582 x̄ #2,349 >$4,200,000 >$78,742,747 ~≤$78,742,747
Critical and public response Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic CinemaScore The Incredible Journey 89% (9 reviews) 87/100 (5 reviews) Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey 87% (30 reviews) A+ Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco 53% (17 reviews) B+
Notes
References