Matialth Good concept, poorly executed.

StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Billie Morin This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

Roxie The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

lifesoboring I was blown away by this movie. During certain scenes I was yelling at the screen. And you know it's a darn good movie if it has you doing that. It was incredibly touching. I was cheering for the boy very hard, hoping that he would survive and be rescued. All the skillful survival stuff he did was amazing for an eight-year-old However, it makes me doubt that, in real life, a boy that age would be as smart and resourceful as Dirkie is. The dangers and the incidents that happen to him (and his faithful tiny dog) keep you riveted to the screen. This is a movie where you care about the characters (the boy and his dog) as much as you possibly could care about any movie characters. The dog is a very important character; the movie would not have been the same without him. Just a couple of days prior to watching Lost in the Desert, I watched Storm Boy, which is similar, and which I also rated 10 stars. It's also a boy/father/pet, family story. Storm Boy is not a life or death survival story, but it also conveys a lot of emotion. If you watch that one you will see the similarities, which is interesting. Old Yeller seems to be in the same vein as these movies too, and in some ways, Born Free. And(it just occurred to me), Walkabout.

osama_onaize Hi, My mother used to show me a movie 30 years back regard a boy who flew with his uncle where their own airplane crashed in the middle of the jungle. The boy survived the crash however his uncle didn't. In the night the boy wants to start a fire to protect himself from the hyena however accidentally he sets fire on the airplane and lost the only connection to his father. He starts the journey with his Dog. I remember the followings: 1. he ate ants who bits him. 2. A scorpion sting him and an African man treat him using a chewed herb. 3. He ate an ostrich's Egg. 4. He used to drink a Cough syrup. 5. He has a clock in his travelling bag. 6. He used this bag to put the ostrich's egg in them. 7. He accused the African man that he barbecue his dog.

owen-170 I saw this film as a double bill with 'The Golden Voyage Of Sinbad' back in 1974, with my father when I was growing up in Sutton Surrey. As an 8 year old it had an enduring impact on me. I then remember seeing it again in 1980 one Monday afternoon on TV - which confirms it was broadcast on British television at least once. I'm still searching for a copy on DVD which I believe is available now after all these years. It's a shame that this film of a boys survival & a fathers determination to find him has been largely forgotten now. It was powerful as a children's film, but certainly rises above a lot of the pointless movies made for children these days. I'm looking forward to finding a copy very soon. Regards

dan_egan31 When I think of the film 'Dirkie' aka 'Lost in the Desert', I am immediately filled with numerous emotions; from pity for the child, to gratitude for how the film educated me, to amazement at how so few people appear to have seen it, to anger at the fact that none of my three movie books (nor any others through which i have flicked) make any reference to it! 'Dirkie' should be compulsory viewing for all children, as I am certain that, for me anyway, my life was enriched through experiencing it (and I was only five years of age)! While 'Lost in the Desert' was a mere 'support' to the main feature 'The Flight of the Doves'- mum having brought myself and my sisters to see the latter in 1970- 'Dirkie' blew us away! This masterpiece (I exaggerate not) was clearly aimed at a young audience, but having recently acquired -and viewed- a DVD copy, I have once again confirmed after 36 years, that this movie is so much more. Many of you have listed some of the profound images which have remained with you over the years, and I fully concur, but for me, Dirkie has so many more attributes; like the clever direction, timing and script, in addition to a rich soundtrack (of which we are not always consciously aware). The juxtaposition of sophisticated Chopin and images of primitive, arid desert was a move taken by an inspired director, indeed, the entire movie is inspired, with each and every scene having meaning, relevance and the ability to stir a spectrum of emotions in those who have the privilege to experience (and the intelligence to understand) it. I will be eternally grateful to the director (and his son) for the enjoyment which their creation has given me for so many years. Apart from all of the other things which this film has done for me, it succeeded in stirring primal emotions in me (a little 5 year old boy at the time) and inspiring me to dream.