Jock of the Bushveld is the title of a famous novel by Sir Percy Fitzpatrick (1862-1931)[1]

The novel

Written for his young children in 1905, based on tales he had told them, it tells the story of his dog "Jock" and their adventures in South Africa some 20 years before the 1880s, when he had worked as a storeman, prospector's assistant, journalist and ox-wagon transport-rider in the Bushveld region of the South African Republic. First published (by Longmans, Green, and Co.) in 1907 upon persuasion by his friend Rudyard Kipling. Illustrations for the book were done by Edmund Caldwell. The book has been re-published numerous times since.

Film versions

The story of Jock of the Bushveld has been filmed a number of times, among the versions have been:

Jock of the Bushveld (1986)

In 1986 produced and released Jock of the Bushveld[2], produced by Edgar Bold and Duncan MacNeillie, written by John Cundill and directed by Gray Hofmeyr, with a South African cast that included Jonathan Rands, Gordon Mulholland and Jocelyn Broderick, Michael Brunner, Wilson Dunster, Tom Barnett, Marloe Scott Wilson, Nadine Kadey, Jim Neal, Fred Baylis, Oliver Ngwenya, Fiona Fraser and the dog Umfubu (or Mfubu) as "Jock".

(For the full list of credits for this film, see "Jock of the Bushveld (1986)" IMDb[3]

Jock: A True Tale of Friendship (1994)

In 1994 Duncan MacNeillie Film Productions and Toron International produced and released another version, one with a happy ending, intended for the US market. It was released as Jock: A True Tale of Friendship[4], produced by David Asherson,Duncan MacNeillie and Stan Roup (line producer), written by Duncan MacNeillie, Johann Potgieter and Greg Latter, and co-directed by Duncan MacNeillie and Danie Joubert. The large cast included Sean Gallagher, Fay Masterson, Wilson Dunster, Sello Sebotsane, Ron Smerczak, Russel Savadier, Brendan Grealy, Michael Brunner, Jeremy Crutchley, Mike Oosthuizen, Liz Staughton, Jenny de Lenta, Peter Tunstall, Jeremiah Ndlovu, Amanda Strydom, Michael Richard and Victor Melleney.

(For the full list of credits for this film, see "Jock: A True Tale of Friendship (1994)" IMDb[5]

Jock the Hero Dog (2011)

In 2011 Jock Animation released a 3-D animated version called Jock the Hero Dog[6] as a South African-American venture, written by Duncan MacNeillie, Jim Cox and others, based on MacNeillie's earlier film. Directed by Duncan MacNeillie the film features a star-studded international cast, (e.g. Bryan Adams, Donald Sutherland, Helen Hunt, Ted Danson, Mandy Patinkin and William Baldwin), and including numerous South African performers, such as Desmond Tutu, Bongani Nxumalo, Sylvaine Strike, Michael Richard, Theo Landey, Jason Kennett, Michael de Pinna, Anthony Bishop, Robert Hobbs and Dianne Simpson.

(For the full list of credits for this film, see "Jock the Hero Dog" (2011)" IMDb[7]

Stage versions

Jock of the Bushveld: The Musical (2010)

The original text

A children's musical loosely based on the famous novel by Percy Fitzpatrick, with the book and lyrics are by Deon Opperman and Sean Else and music by Johan Vorster. Devereaux van der Hoven was the music producer responsible for orchestration and arrangements together with Juan (Floors) Oosthuizen) while Eddie Clayton was the musical director and conductor. Robin Kelly was responsible for mixing and Trevor Peters was the sound designer. A large orchestra is credited in the programme.