bodger from the incredible journey

The Incredible Journey

Sheila burnford.

145 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1960

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Lying awake in the dark that night,unable to sleep, he thought he would have given anything to feel the heavy thud on the bed that used to announce the old dog's arrival. How extremely unloving and intolerant he had felt so often , waking in the middle of the night to the relentless shoving and pushing of his undesirable and selfish bedfellow.

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The Incredible Journey (film)

1963 film by fletcher markle / from wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, dear wikiwand ai, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:.

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The Incredible Journey is a 1963 Canadian-American adventure film directed by Fletcher Markle and produced by Walt Disney Productions . Based on the 1961 novel of the same name by Scottish writer Sheila Burnford , [2] the film follows the adventure of Luath the Labrador Retriever , Bodger the Bull Terrier , and Tao the Siamese cat as they journey 300 miles (480   km) through the Canadian wilderness to return to their home. The film's human cast consists of Émile Genest , John Drainie , Tommy Tweed, and Sandra Scott, with Rex Allen providing narration.

Released on November 20, 1963 by Buena Vista Distribution , the film received $4.2 million in overall rentals. It was the final film to be scored by longtime Disney composer Oliver Wallace , who died two months prior to its release.

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Fletcher Markle

Emile Genest

John Longridge

John Drainie

Professor Jim Hunter

Tommy Tweed

Sandra Scott

Mrs. Hunter

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The Incredible Journey Symbols, Allegory and Motifs

By sheila burnford.

These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own.

Written by people who wish to remain anonymous

Timberwolves

The small boat symbolizes Longridge's love for animal expeditions and exploration. Longridge's work involves researching different species of animals. Every time Longridge goes to study animals, he uses his small canoe instead of large ships. The small ship gives Longridge a wider view of the animals he intends to study. In addition, the small boat allows Longridge to choose which sites to visit during his explorations.

Lynx symbolizes the violence of the wild. While traversing the dangerous terrains of the forest, Tao comes across the lynx, which preys on her. Tao is the only tactical member who helps her friends to get food when crossing the forest. Tao does her best to evade the lynx but realizes her life is in danger. Tao only survives after a child hunter shoots the lynx to save his life. Consequently, Burnford uses the lynx to show the violence of the wild. Predator animals prey on other animals, and humans use tools such as guns to defend themselves from aggressive animals such as the lynx.

Bodger (the elderly dog)

Bodger is a symbol of love. Throughout the text, readers realize that Bodger is lovely to every human being who handles him. Despite being 11 years old, Bodger does not create territories. Bodger starts showing his love for Peter, who has taken care of him for the last eleven years. When Hunters relocate to England, Bodger is the first to love Longridge, forming a great friendship. Similarly, Mrs. Oaks misses Bodger after discovering that the pets sneaked at night and ran away. Consequently, Bodger is an emblem of affection because every human character in the novels would like to bond with him.

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The Incredible Journey Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Incredible Journey is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Study Guide for The Incredible Journey

The Incredible Journey study guide contains a biography of Sheila Burnford, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About The Incredible Journey
• The Incredible Journey Summary
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The Incredible Journey (1963)

Directed by fletcher markle.

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Description by Wikipedia

The Incredible Journey is a 1963 live-action Walt Disney film based on the novel The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford. Narrated by Rex Allen, the film follows the adventure of three pets, Luath the Labrador Retriever, Bodger the Bull Terrier, and Tao the Siamese cat, as they journey 250 miles through the Canadian wilderness to return to their home.

The Syn Cat was also in the title role of the Disney film That Darn Cat! (1965).

The film was mostly well received for the nature scenes as well as for Rex Allen's narration, however, the human scenes, including the climatic ending got mixed to negative reviews, stating that the human scenes had interrupted the mood of the film.

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When the Hunter family depart from their Canadian town for a summer in England, they leave their pets--Bodger (an elderly bull terrier), Luath (a yellow Labrador retriever), and Tao (a Siamese cat)--with their friend John Longridge, who lives in Ontario 250 miles away. Toward the end of the summer, John goes off on a hunting trip, and the three homesick animals set out to find their way back to the Hunter house. During their journey across some of Canada's wildest terrain, the three participate in numerous adventures. There are an encounter with a lynx, a battle with a vicious farm dog, and a scuffle with a bear. Tao, a natural hunter, brings Bodger food after he collapses from weakness. The dogs become separated from Tao when he falls into a river and nearly drowns, but they are reunited after the cat has been rescued and nursed back to health by a little Finnish girl. Luath has a painful encounter with a porcupine, but his wounds are treated by a kindly farmer. Along the way an old hermit entertains the trio as his guests. Upon returning from England, the Hunters are informed of the disappearance of their pets. A short time later a somewhat unhappy birthday party in the Hunter garden is turned into a homecoming celebration as the three pets emerge from the woods behind the house and rush to join the family for a happy reunion.

John Drainie

Tommy tweed, sandra scott, marion finlayson, ronald cohoon, robert christie, beth lockerbie, irena mayeska, eric clavering, james algar, lloyd beebe, carroll clark, robert o. cook, jack couffer, walt disney, halleck h. driscoll, chuck keehne, evelyn kennedy, william r. koehler, john b. mansbridge, mickey mccardle, pat mcnalley, william o'sullivan, norman r. palmer, kenneth peach, walter sheets, charles thompson, erwin l. verity, oliver wallace.

Filmed on location in Canada.

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The Incredible Journey

The Incredible Journey is a 1963 American live-action family adventure/drama film based on Sheila Burnford's novel of the same name, which was released on November 20, 1963 by Walt Disney Pictures.

The film follows the adventure of three pets: Luath the Labrador Retriever, Bodger the Bull Terrier, and Tao the Siamese cat as they journey 250 miles through the Canadian wilderness to return to their home.

• Rex Allen as Narrator
• Emile Genest as John Longridge
• John Drainie as Professor James Hunter
• Sandra Scott as Nancy Hunter
• Marion Finlayson as Elizabeth Hunter
• Ronald Cohoon as Peter Hunter
• Tommy Tweed as The Hermit
• Robert Christie as James MacKenzie
• Beth Lockerbie as Nell MacKenzie
• Beth Amos as Mrs. Oakes
• Eric Clavering as Bert Oakes
• Jan Rubeš as Carl Nurmi
• Syme Jago as Helvi Numi
• Muffy the Bull Terrier as Bodger
• Rink the Labrador Retriever as Luath
• Syn Cat the Siamese cat as Tao

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• Literature & Fiction

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The Incredible Journey Hardcover – February 13, 2018

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• Print length 160 pages
• Language English
• Grade level 3 - 7
• Lexile measure 1320L
• Dimensions 5.81 x 0.63 x 8.56 inches
• Publisher Delacorte Press
• Publication date February 13, 2018
• ISBN-10 0385322798
• ISBN-13 978-0385322799
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• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Delacorte Press (February 13, 2018)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 160 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0385322798
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0385322799
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 11 years, from customers
• Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1320L
• Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.6 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.81 x 0.63 x 8.56 inches
• #1,077 in Science & Technology for Teens (Books)
• #1,507 in Teen & Young Adult Survival Stories

About the authors

Sheila burnford.

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Joanna Strange

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Customers find the storyline very descriptive and touching. They also describe the book as a good read for middle grade readers. Readers also mention the emotional impact never fails to grab their hearts, steal their breath, and hold them first page to.

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Customers find the storyline beautiful, moving, and wonderful. They also say the adventures the animals have returning home are incredible. Customers also mention the book has suspenseful moments and is a timeless classic for the whole family.

"...Will the hunger finally take over? This is truly a story of an INCREDIBLE JOURNEY !..." Read more

"...to much of the story line, they have adventures and scary moments so well written you want to jump in and help them!..." Read more

"...A wonderful story for children , and weary adults." Read more

"...The stories are timeless and teach lessons about love, devotion, honesty and bravery...." Read more

Customers find the book a good read for middle grade readers, a classic in English literature, and well written. They also say it's inspiring and uplifting to read, perfect for school, reading, or collecting.

"...This is an excellent read for young and young at heart." Read more

"...Elizabeth Zott's dog in Lessons in Chemistry. It was a totally charming book of course with a happy ending." Read more

"...Honestly it’s perfect for school ,reading, or collecting!" Read more

" Perfect read aloud " Read more

Customers find the story grabs their hearts, teaches inner strength, loyalty, and determination. They also say the message is strong, magical, and bonding. Readers also mention that the book is exciting and they find themselves cheering the animals on.

"...surprised how well I remembered the book's details, and how happy and magical it made/makes me feel!..." Read more

"...The stories are timeless and teach lessons about love, devotion , honesty and bravery...." Read more

"...This book never gets old. This story never fails to grab your heart , steal your breath, and hold you first page to last...." Read more

"...insights into animal behavior and loyalty written with deep sensitivity and affection for what I believe may have been a true story ...." Read more

Customers find the book touching, perfect for animal and adventure lovers, and describe the personalities of the animals. They also say the lack of animation and talking animals is refreshing. Readers also mention that the journey teaches everyone a lesson in friendship, sacrifice, and loyalty.

"A touching story of three animal friends , surviving together in the wilderness while trying to find their way back to their loving family...." Read more

"...It’s very descriptive and I love the personalities of the animals , especially the cat...." Read more

" Sublime insights into animal behavior and loyalty written with deep sensitivity and affection for what I believe may have been a true story ...." Read more

"The Incredible Journey t valuable teaches everyone a lesson in friendship , sacrifice and loyalty...." Read more

Customers find the tone of the book great, timeless, and an enduring classic. They also say the story remains ageless in the tenacity, courage, and camaraderie of three beautiful animals.

"... This book never gets old . This story never fails to grab your heart, steal your breath, and hold you first page to last...." Read more

"An awesome classic that is inspiring and uplifting to read if your 8 or 80 years old...." Read more

"...This story remains ageless in the tenacity , courage, and camaraderie of three beautiful animals who are tied to each other and the human family..." Read more

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The Incredible Journey (1963)

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The Incredible Journey

44 pages • 1 hour read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-2

Chapters 3-8

Chapters 9-11

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Chapters 3-8 Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 3 summary.

The next morning, Bodger rises stiffly from his slumber. He hears Tao crunching upon some freshly-caught prey and hopes that he will share his kill. However, the cat leaves only a pile of inedible feathers in his wake. After taking a drink of water from the creek, Bodger returns in desperation to the pile of feathers, eating it in order to gain some sustenance. The feathers only stick to his throat and he must retch them back out. He settles for some foraged blades of grass and wild raspberries, which do nothing to truly satiate his hunger. Luath soon leads the charge to continue the journey, and all three animals proceed onwards.

Bodger journeys for as long as his body will allow him. He eventually reaches such a point of exhaustion that he collapses on the forest floor. His two companions try to rouse him, but eventually leave his prone body in order to explore the surrounding area on their own. While Luath is hungry too, killing goes against his nature.

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