Dogmatic (film)

Lore & Background

Dogmatic was filmed in Canada in 1996. The film's plot follows Dennis Winslow, an advertising executive engaged to Amy, who owns a dog named Rocky. After lightning strikes both Dennis and Rocky, they switch bodies. Dennis begins eating dog food and licks people's hands before shaking them, leading Amy to break up with him. The duo discovers that Pal Acres, his firm's largest customer, operates a puppy mill in a warehouse. While Dennis and Rocky attempt to free the puppies, Pal tries to court Amy and prove the body swap has occurred.

Reader's Guide

Dogmatic is a minor entry in the body-swap comedy subgenre, notable for its canine twist. It aired as part of the long-running Wonderful World of Disney anthology series, which gave it a broad family audience. The film received largely negative reviews: Gerald Pratley called it a 'pathetic piece of slapstick' and 'a dog of a film,' while David Parkinson of Radio Times noted that the canine angle added nothing new to the body-swap concept seen in Big and Vice Versa. The Guardian deemed it an 'uninspiring comedy,' and The Messenger called it a 'zany comedy.' Nancy McAlister of Redding Record Searchlight compared its conclusion to films like 101 Dalmatians and Beethoven. The dog actor Barkley, a Jack Russell Terrier named after an Out of Africa character, had previously appeared on The Drew Carey Show and Friends, with a stunt double used for some scenes. The film's legacy is as a forgotten television movie, remembered mainly for its negative critical reception and its place in the Disney anthology.

Did You Know?

• Dogmatic was filmed in Canada in 1996.
• The dog who played Rocky was a Jack Russell Terrier named Barkley, inspired by an Out of Africa character.
• Barkley previously appeared on The Drew Carey Show and Friends.
• A stunt double performed some of Barkley's scenes.