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The Belstone Fox

The Belstone Fox
"The Belstone Fox" (1973).jpg
Original British quad by Brian Bysouth
Directed by James Hill
Produced by Sally Shuter
Basil Rayburn
Julian Wintle
Written by James Hill
Based on novel The Ballad of the Belstone Fox by David Rook
Starring Eric Porter
Jeremy Kemp
Bill Travers
Rachel Roberts
Heather Wright
Dennis Waterman
Music by Laurie Johnson
Cinematography James Allen
John Wilcox
Edited by Peter Tanner
Production
company
Distributed by Fox-Rank (UK)
Release date
  • 1973 (1973)
Running time
88 minutes
Country United Kingdom
Language English
Budget £361,000
Box office £400,000

The Belstone Fox is a 1973 British children's film directed by James Hill, and based on David Rook's 1970 novel.

The Belstone Fox is the nickname given to Tag, a fox cub rescued from the woods and adopted by huntsman Asher. The young fox is reared in captivity with a litter of hound puppies, including Merlin, with whom Tag becomes especially friendly. Asher is devoted to Tag, but when Tag leads the hunt into the path of a train and many hounds are killed, the result is tragic.

Time Out called the film "a dismayingly literal and unimaginative version of David Rook's novel," ; the Radio Times gave it two out of five stars, calling it a "workmanlike adaptation," adding, "Porter and Rachel Roberts acquit themselves adequately but the film ultimately impresses more for its wildlife photography than for its dramatic interest," ; whereas TV Guide gave the film three out of four stars, writing, "Porter is solid as the hunter who brings the baby fox to the hound for nurturing. Hats off to the trainers and technical experts who let the animals steal the show." ; and Britmovie described it as a "touching tale," adding, "Eric Porter as Asher and Rachel Roberts as his wife are first-rate."


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