The Doberman Gang

A group of clever criminals train a six Doberman Pinchers to rob a bank for them in this low-budget crime caper film. Director Byron Chudnow doesn't display a great deal of finesse, nor does the cast of unknowns for that matter, but he manages to get the job done. One of the better B-caper films of its time. This is a guilty pleasure I return to time and time again.

Training 6 doberman dogs to rob a bank? Actually, this outlandish premise is executed with far more believability than you'd think. The criminals behind the dogs are not portrayed as buffoons or as totally unredeemable; in fact, they are pretty likable guys for the most part. (And - shock of all shocks - it's the Vietnam veteran character who comes across as the most sympathetic!) As well, we are taken through the plan step by step, seeing how they slowly train the dogs and deal with any potential problems that come up during the way. It's a little dry at times (the low budget doesn't exactly make it flashy), but never does it get really boring. The only thing I question about the movie is how it got a "G" rating, given a couple of (mild, admitedly) love scenes and a couple of *seriously* bloody sequences! Those bloody sequences really shatter the agreeably fluffy and light tone, and make it questionable as a family movie. Despite that, the movie was pretty successful, subsequently generating two theatrical sequels and one made-for-TV movie.

I remember seeing this when I was just six years old and I really enjoyed it. This was probably one of the most outlandish films I ever saw, but it is still a great film to watch. Even though the budget was low and the acting is barely professional, it still was a great treat. Also, even though there are a few violent moments, especially when one of the dogs attacks the bank guard, it is still something that I wouldn't mind showing younger kids.

Crime planner Byron Mabe is tired of having his beautifully worked out robberies loused up when one of the books fails to follow follow the plan or tries to double-cross him. So he hires a dog trainer and buys a bunch of Doberman Pinschers to execute a bank robbery.

It's almost a Disney film, with its love of animals and twangy, country-western score, except for the implied sex out of wedlock, blood from the Dobies savaging people upon command and, oh yeah, the fact that a bunch of crooks are the heroes of the movie. Most of the movie is taken up with the planning and training stages, and by the time the robbery takes place, the audience pretty much knows how it will go. Yet the wackiness of the entire scheme more than makes up for the lack of well-known performers.

Director Byron Chudnow had spent much of his career up to this as a TV editor, and it does have the pacing and look of something from that medium. Certainly, he paces the movie very well, and it was sufficiently successful to result in two sequels; a 'reboot' is currently scheduled for release in 2022.

I really liked this film, I thought it was a good, fun romp and I liked the mix of light-hearted moments and the slightly grittier more exciting parts.

I will admit that I also loved the two main songs in the film aswell -the theme tune and the romantic one, really enjoyed them, 70's or not!

And of course there were lots of beautiful, precious doggies - who are (as others so rightly pointed out) the real stars of the film!, the main human leads were all solid but forgettable.

Overall pretty good, and the ending is just perfect, see this fun film if you can.