Footrot Flats: The Dog’s Tale 1986

Animation

Comedy

Box Office

$1.2K

Runtime

71 mins

Language

English

Directed by

Murray Ball

Made by

Independent Newspapers

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Footrot Flats: The Dog’s Tale Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Footrot Flats: The Dog’s Tale (1986). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Set in a rural environs outside the town of Raupo in New Zealand, the film centers on sheep and cattle farmer Wal Footrot and his border collie sheepdog Dog. Wal is supported on Footrot Flats by his nature-loving neighbour Cooch Windgrass, by local boy Rangi, and by Wal’s niece Pongo Footrot.

Wal and Cooch find themselves threatened by their troublesome neighbours, the Murphys, led by patriarch Irish Murphy and backed by his two sons Spit Murphy and Hunk Murphy, who try to steal Cooch’s deer and stag. The tension escalates when the Murphys buzz Wal’s shearing shed from their “deer slayer” helicopter, sending Dog into a sheep dip where he nearly drowns. This incident triggers a flashback in which Dog recalls being given as a puppy to Wal by Aunt Dolly and meeting his future girlfriend Jess. The memory ends with Wal saving and reviving him.

Beyond farming, Wal pursues two non-agricultural obsessions: his relationship with his girlfriend, the local hairdresser Cheeky Hobson, and his constant attempts to impress a selector for New Zealand’s national rugby team, the All Blacks. Dog initially rails against Wal’s romance with Cheeky, but the dog’s own troubles unfold when Jess is swept away in a flood and winds up at the Murphys’ farm, where she faces danger from rats and ferocious “croco-pigs.” Dog rescues Jess from the rats, yet the two dogs become targets of Irish Murphy’s menace. Meanwhile, Rangi manages to steer Wal away from a rugby game and toward the Murphys’ property. Together, Dog and Jess embark on a perilous raft journey with the fearless cat Horse, who has been shot by Irish. Rangi and Wal race to rescue Jess, but Dog and Horse are swept out to sea. The group returns to the shore, unable to spot the missing dogs, who are presumed dead—only to reappear, riding a giant wave back to land. The story closes with a cheerful note: Dog and Jess are now proud parents, welcoming a litter of puppies.

Footrot Flats: The Dog’s Tale Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Footrot Flats: The Dog’s Tale (1986) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Wal Footrot and his crew on Footrot Flats

Wal Footrot runs a farm on Footrot Flats with help from neighbor Cooch, Rangi, and his niece Pongo. The film establishes a rural New Zealand setting and a tight-knit but contentious community. The Murphys quickly emerge as a disruptive presence nearby.

Footrot Flats, New Zealand

Deer theft attempt and the dog's near-drowning

The Murphys buzz Wal's shed with their 'deer slayer' helicopter as they try to steal Cooch's deer and stag. In the chaos, Dog bolts into a sheep dip and seems to drown. Wal rescues and revives him, renewing their unbreakable bond.

Footrot Flats

Dog's flashback of his origin and Jess

The near-drowning triggers a flashback where Dog recalls being given as a puppy to Wal by Aunt Dolly and his first meeting with Jess. The memory deepens his loyalty to Wal and foreshadows his love for Jess. The moment adds emotional depth to the farm's daily routine.

Wal's preoccupation with Cheeky and the All Blacks

Wal pursues his romance with hairdresser Cheeky Hobson and aims to charm a selector for the New Zealand All Blacks. Dog resents Wal's attention shifting away from Jess and the farm. The two strands of Wal's life create tension on the property.

Footrot Flats

Jess swept away by a flood to the Murphys' farm

A flood sweeps Jess toward the Murphys' farm, where she faces danger from rats and aggressive croco-pigs. Dog leaps to her defense, rescuing her from the rats and saving her life. The escape escalates the conflict with Irish Murphy.

Murphys' Farm

Irish Murphy hunts Dog and Jess

After the rescue, Irish Murphy pursues Dog and Jess, driving them to flee their safety. The chase heightens the sense that the Murphys will stop at nothing to reclaim control of the Farm and its inhabitants. Dog's loyalty to Jess becomes more evident.

Murphys' Farm

Rangi lures Wal away from the rugby game

Rangi manages to pull Wal away from a rugby game and heads him toward the Murphys' farm. The detour drags the group deeper into the escalating danger surrounding Jess, Dog, and the Murphys. The farm's residents rally around the central conflict.

Murphys' Farm

Dog and Jess escape on a raft with Horse

Dog and Jess escape on a raft accompanied by Horse, a fearless cat who has been shot by Irish Murphy. They drift toward the sea, pursued by danger as the Murphys close in. The bond between human, dog, and animal companion is tested by the treacherous voyage.

Offshore near Murphys' Farm

Wal and Rangi rescue Jess; Dog and Horse drift out to sea

Wal and Rangi manage to rescue Jess from the raft, but Dog and Horse are swept farther out to sea. The dangers of the Murphys' pursuit push the group to act decisively to save their loved ones. Tension peaks as the sea becomes the final barrier between them and safety.

Sea vicinity

Dog and Horse ride a giant wave back to shore

A colossal wave carries Dog and Horse toward the beach, where they are dumped ashore alive. The community rushes to the coastline, scanning the surf for signs of their vanished companions. Joy and relief replace fear as the dogs return.

Beach

Jess is rescued and reunites with the group

Jess's safety is confirmed as Wal, Rangi, Pongo, Cooch, and Jess regroup on the shore. The bond among the farm's residents strengthens as danger recedes. Dog's role in saving Jess becomes a defining moment for the family.

Footrot Flats

Ending: Dog and Jess as parents of a litter

The film ends with Dog and Jess proudly parenting a litter of puppies, signaling a hopeful future for their on-farm family. The pastoral life resumes with renewed warmth and community spirit. Peace returns to Footrot Flats as the sun sets.

Footrot Flats

Footrot Flats: The Dog’s Tale Characters

Explore all characters from Footrot Flats: The Dog’s Tale (1986). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Wal Footrot (John Clarke)

A practical, stubborn sheep and cattle farmer who navigates neighborly tensions and his own romantic ambitions. He values his dog’s loyalty and often relies on community help, showing stubborn resilience with a soft side for his niece and friends.

🧑‍🌾 Farmer 🐕 Protagonist 💬 Practical

Dog (Peter Rowley)

A brave border collie and Wal's devoted companion. Dog acts heroically—saving Jess, protecting Wal's farm, and challenging Wal’s relationship choices—embodying loyalty and courage.

🐶 Dog 🛡️ Protector 🐾 Loyal

Cooch Windgrass (Peter Hayden)

Wal's nature-loving neighbor who supports farm life and adds a steady, folksy voice of reason to the clashes with the Murphys.

🧭 Neighbor 🐐 Ally 🎣 Outdoorsy

Rangi Jones (Rawiri Paratene)

A local youth who helps Wal escape to the Murphy farm during a rugby distraction, acting as a bridge between the community and the main action.

🧍 Local ally 🗺️ Helper 🏉 Sports-minded

Pongo Footrot (Fiona Samuel)

Wal's niece who is part of the Footrot family circle, contributing to the farm's dynamic and characters with warmth and resolve.

👧 Niece 🐕 Family ties 🌟 Central

Irish Murphy (Peter Hayden)

Patriarch of the Murphy family; a belligerent neighbor whose plans include undermining Wal and Cooch and who drives much of the conflict.

👨 Antagonist 🧱 Neighbor 🚁 Ambition

Spit Murphy (Brian Sergent)

One of the Murphy sons, involved in the antagonistic schemes against Wal and the farm, contributing to the community's tension.

🧒 Rival 🤼 Conflict

Hunk Murphy (Marshall Napier)

The other Murphy son, part of the threat to Wal's farm and the deer-related capers, reinforcing the comic yet dangerous neighbor dynamic.

🧒 Rival 🐾 Mischief

Aunt Dolly (Dorothy McKegg)

Aunt Dolly is the source of Dog’s origin, having given the dog as a puppy to Wal, symbolizing family and tradition.

👵 Relative 🐶 Origin

Jess (Dog)

Dog's girlfriend; a dog who becomes part of the canine subplot and contributes to the narrative's romance and peril elements.

🐾 Love interest 🐕 Animal companion

Footrot Flats: The Dog’s Tale Settings

Learn where and when Footrot Flats: The Dog’s Tale (1986) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

The events unfold across multiple seasons in a rural New Zealand setting, emphasizing farming routines, weather-driven challenges, and community life rather than a specific calendar date.

Location

Raupo, Footrot Flats, New Zealand

Set in the rural environs outside Raupo, New Zealand, Footrot Flats is a sheep and cattle farm where Wal Footrot tends to his flock with Dog the border collie. The landscape is defined by open pastures, rolling hills, and the daily bustle of farm life. The farm’s proximity to the Murphys’ land accentuates the tension between neighbors.

🐑 Rural community 🏡 Farm setting 🌾 Agricultural life

Footrot Flats: The Dog’s Tale Themes

Discover the main themes in Footrot Flats: The Dog’s Tale (1986). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

🐕

Loyal Companions

The film centers on the deep bond between Wal and his dog Dog, showcasing loyalty that pushes Dog to risk danger. Dog’s actions—saving Jess, protecting Wal’s farm, and challenging Wal’s relationship choices—highlight how companionship can define a community. The relationship anchors both the plot and the emotional stakes of the story.

🐑

Rural Life

Footrot Flats presents a vivid picture of farm life, with sheep and cattle work shaping daily rhythms. Seasons, weather, and farm chores frame the narrative, grounding the characters in a practical, weather-driven world. The setting emphasizes resourcefulness, camaraderie, and the simple joys and tensions of rural living.

🌊

Nature's Danger

The sea, floods, and waves loom as threats and sources of salvation, driving action and rescue attempts. Natural forces test the farm community, making the landscape an active character in the story. The peril culminates in a dramatic return of Dog and Jess after being swept to sea.

⚔️

Neighborly Conflict

The Murphys embody antagonism toward Wal and Cooch, including attempts to steal deer and relentless pursuit of Dog and Jess. The conflict introduces themes of intrusion, pride, and moral choice, stressing how rivalry can disrupt a peaceful community. Yet, resolutions arise through shared danger and cooperation.

💖

Love & Romance

Wal's romance with Cheeky Hobson frames part of the human subplot, contrasting with Dog's romance with Jess (a dog) as the story unfolds. The narrative tracks how affection, jealousy, and loyalty intersect with farm life and social dynamics. The ending underscores love's role in creating a family, as Dog and Jess become parents to a litter.

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Footrot Flats: The Dog’s Tale Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of Footrot Flats: The Dog’s Tale (1986). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In the rolling countryside surrounding the small New Zealand town of Raupo, life is measured by the rhythm of the farm and the chatter of its colorful inhabitants. Wal Footrot tends his sheep and cattle with a blend of practicality and gentle optimism, while his border‑collie, simply called Dog, is the ever‑watchful guardian of the flock. The landscape—wide‑open fields, dusty sheds, and a lively homestead—sets the stage for a story that feels both deeply rooted in rural tradition and bright with comic exaggeration.

Amid the daily chores, Wal finds his thoughts drifting toward Cheeky Hobson, the local hairdresser whose presence adds a splash of romance to his otherwise straightforward world. Their budding connection is playfully contested by a local rival, hinting at a light‑hearted competition that keeps the atmosphere lively. At the same time, Wal nurtures a quieter ambition: to catch the eye of a selector for New Zealand’s national rugby team, an aspiration that injects a touch of heroic yearning into his otherwise modest life.

The farm’s community is a tapestry of endearing characters. Rangi, a spirited local boy, and his cousin Pongo Footrot share a mischievous bond with the adults, often joining in the everyday adventures that swirl around them. Their neighbour, Cooch Windgrass, a nature‑loving friend, adds an earthy humor and a hint of mystery to the mix. A neighboring family, the Murphys, looms on the horizon, their presence introducing a gentle rivalry that promises occasional mischief without darkening the film’s sunny tone.

Animated with the spirit of Murray Ball’s beloved comic strip, the movie balances slapstick comedy with heartfelt moments, inviting viewers into a world where farm life, friendship, and a touch of romance weave together in a breezy, family‑friendly adventure. The tone remains warm and upbeat, promising plenty of laughs, charming mishaps, and a vivid portrait of New Zealand’s countryside charm.

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