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Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey Worksheets

“Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey” is a heartwarming adventure comedy film directed by Duwayne Dunham that premiered on February 3, 1993. “The Incredible Journey,” the movie narrates the remarkable adventures of three pets.

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“Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey” is a heartwarming adventure comedy film directed by Duwayne Dunham that premiered on February 3, 1993. Taking inspiration from Sheila Burnford’s 1961 novel “The Incredible Journey,” the movie narrates the remarkable adventures of three pets – two dogs named Shadow and Chance, and a cat named Sassy. Their journey unfolds as they navigate extraordinary challenges in the pursuit of reuniting with their cherished owners. The film captures the spirit of friendship and loyalty among these animals in their quest for home.

See the fact file below for more information about the Film Study, Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey or you can download our 22-page Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

FILM RELEASE

  • “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey” is a 1993 adventure comedy film that’s a remake of the 1963 film “The Incredible Journey” produced by Walt Disney.
  • The original film drew inspiration from Sheila Burnford’s 1961 novel of the same name.
  • Duwayne Dunham, making his debut as a feature film director, helmed this heartwarming tale.
  • The movie hit theaters on February 3, 1993, and went on to achieve global success, grossing an impressive $57 million.
  • Notably, it pays tribute to producer Franklin R. Levy, who passed away during the film’s production.
  • The film’s popularity even prompted a sequel, “Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco,” released in 1996.

PLOT SUMMARY AND KEY CHARACTERS

  • Chance (voiced by Michael J. Fox) is a lively and somewhat selfish American Bulldog who narrates the story and lets us in on his life as the pet of Jamie Burnford (Kevin Chevalia).
  • He lives with Shadow (voiced by Don Ameche), a wise Golden Retriever owned by Jamie’s brother Peter (Benj Thall).
  • They also live with Sassy (voiced by Sally Field), a fancy Himalayan cat owned by Hope (Veronica Lauren), the sister of Peter and Jamie.
  • Trouble brews when the children’s mother and the pets’ owner Laura, marries Bob Seaver, and at the wedding, Chance munches on the cake, causing a bit of chaos. 
  • Things take a turn when the family has to go to San Francisco for a while. 
  • They leave the pets at a friend’s ranch, but there’s a mix-up and the pets think they have been left all alone.
  • Shadow, who is super loyal, decides to find his way back home. 
  • Not wanting to stay behind on the ranch, Chance and Sassy join him on this unexpected adventure. 
  • Even though the pets are very different from each other in terms of personalities, this journey brings them closer.
  • Ultimately, they discover the importance of being together.
  • They journey into the wild mountains of the Sierra Nevada, with Shadow leading the way.
  • A night filled with spooky forest sounds makes them uneasy, and the next morning, they stop by a river for breakfast. 
  • Wildness enters the picture when two black bear cubs show up and a big brown bear makes them back off.
  • Later, at another river, Sassy chooses a tricky wooden path, but it breaks, and she falls into the water.
  • Shadow tries to save her, but it seems like she has gone over a waterfall. 
  • Feeling guilty, Shadow and Chance continue without her.
  • Meanwhile, Sassy survives and is taken care of by an old man named Quentin (William Edward Phipps). 
  • Shadow and Chance face challenges like a mountain lion, but they cleverly use rocks to outsmart it. 
  • Sassy hears their celebration and reunites with them. 
  • On their journey, Chance messes with a porcupine and ends up with a face full of quills. 
  • They then meet a lost little girl named Molly (Mariah Milner) and stand guard over her at night.
  • The next morning, Shadow finds a rescue party and leads them to Molly. 
  • The group is taken to an animal shelter, but Chance panics when he mistakes it for a pound. 
  • While the medical staff deals with Chance’s quills, Sassy sneaks in, frees Shadow, and they all escape, unaware that their owners are on their way to bring them home.
  • As they near their hometown, the friends pass through a train yard. 
  • Shadow takes a tumble into a muddy pit and accidentally hurts his leg. 
  • Feeling really sad, he tells Chance and Sassy to go ahead without him.
  • Even though Chance argues and says he would not let Shadow give up, the older dog shares that he has taught Chance everything he needs to know and now it’s time for him to learn to say goodbye. 
  • That was a tough moment that makes Chance feel heartbroken.
  • At dusk, Chance and Sassy finally get home and happily reunite with their owners. 
  • Shadow is a bit late to show up, but when he limps into view, he’s overjoyed to see Peter. 
  • Chance explains that it was Shadow’s belief that guided them home.
  • As he reunites with his boy, he feels like a puppy again.
  • The movie wraps up with Chance realizing that he truly feels at home with his family.

THEMES

  • The main idea of the story is about the animals trying to find their way back to their human family.
  • The movie shows how important family is and how a home is a place full of love, safety, and where you feel like you belong.
  • Another big theme is loyalty — the characters, especially Shadow, Chance, and Sassy, stick together no matter what.
  • As the animals go through tough times on their journey, the movie talks about courage. 
  • Facing challenges and not giving up, even when things get hard, is a big part of the story.
  • In the beginning, Chance likes being on his own, but during the journey, he learns that working together is important. 
  • Shadow feels really guilty about what happens to Sassy, and that brings up themes of making up for mistakes and forgiving each other.
  • The movie also looks at the special connection between people and animals. 
  • The loyalty, understanding, and communication between the pets and their owners show how unique and strong the bond can be.

THE MAKING OF THE FILM

  • The beautiful outdoor scenes you see in the movie were filmed right in the stunning mountains of the Sierra Nevada.
  • The dogs and cat in the movie were trained by animal experts who worked really closely with them.
  • They used treats and positive words to help the animals show their personalities on camera.
  • In the movie, the animals talk through voice narration.
  • Through this production choice, it’s like the animals are telling you what they’re thinking and feeling. 
  • The people who made the movie wanted it to feel real, especially when showing the animals on their journey.
  • They worked hard to make everything look real, like when the animals faced challenges in the muddy pit and river.
  • Instead of using a lot of special visual effects, they found practical ways to make the scenes look real and exciting.

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Film Study, Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey across 22 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are pefect for teaching kids about Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey. The movie narrates the remarkable adventures of three pets – two dogs named Shadow and Chance, and a cat named Sassy. Their journey unfolds as they navigate extraordinary challenges in the pursuit of reuniting with their cherished owners. The film captures the spirit of friendship and loyalty among these animals in their quest for home.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Film study: Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey Facts
  2. Paw-some Personalities
  3. Cast Member Match
  4. Journey Map
  5. Vocabulary Builder
  6. Lessons from Furry Friends
  7. Sensory Map
  8. Conflict Quest
  9. Film Review
  10. Comparing Films
  11. Pet Ponderings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the basic plot of “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey”?

The film follows the adventure of two dogs, Shadow and Chance, and a cat named Sassy, as they embark on a perilous journey through the wilderness to reunite with their family. Thinking they have been abandoned, the trio sets out to find their owners who have moved to a new home.

Who are the main characters in the movie?

The main characters in the film are Shadow, an older and wise Golden Retriever; Chance, a playful and adventurous American Bulldog; and Sassy, a Himalayan cat. The trio is voiced by Don Ameche, Michael J. Fox, and Sally Field, respectively.

What challenges do the animals face during their journey?

The animals encounter various challenges on their journey, including crossing a mountainous terrain, overcoming a raging river, and surviving encounters with wild animals. Each challenge tests their friendship and determination to reach their family.

How was the film received by audiences and critics?

“Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey” received generally positive reviews from both audiences and critics. The heartwarming story, coupled with the excellent voice performances and emotional moments, contributed to its popularity. The film is often praised for its family-friendly appeal and the effective portrayal of the animals’ emotions.

Is “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey” based on a book?

Yes, the film is based on the 1961 novel “The Incredible Journey” by Sheila Burnford. The book tells the story of two dogs and a Siamese cat who travel 250 miles through the Canadian wilderness to reunite with their family. The film adaptation was released in 1993 and adds a more modern setting and characterizations while staying true to the spirit of the original story.

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