MovieChat Forums > Last of the Dogmen (1995) Discussion > observations about Zip (SPOILER)

observations about Zip (SPOILER)

posted 15 years ago by pathfinder616
4 replies | jump to latest

Zip is a particularly interesting character and aspect of the film. Consider that during the film we learn while in civilization Zip is certainly man's best friend. Zip is highly intelligent and every bit an equal partner in the relationship with Berenger's character with respect to their livelihood as trackers. during the journey Zip manages to come to the rescue and save the day. at which point Hersey acknowledges that Zip is the most intelligent of the three.

the leader of the tribe who shot Zip mainly out of instinct because he saw Zip as a danger to be feared. Hersey clearly cares for Zip by now knowing that her survival is at stake. when Zip encounters the natives of the village he is being cared for by Hersey who was looking after his wellbeing after being shot.

this unusual scene must have made an impact the the villagers seeing Zip so well cared for and it obviously makes an impact on the young medicine woman who comes to help Zip heal his injuries. this young medicine woman makes the leap to understanding that this dog is intelligent and should be seen as more than a food source.

Cheyenne Dogmen got their name because they ate dog and now Zip enters their camp and ends up staying on as almost an equal and certainly not as a food source. a partnership with the young medicine woman would seem to be quite a powerful combination especially since many medicine women needed to be out in the wilderness searching for medicinal herbs and Zip would make the best watchdog. i'm betting you could even train him to find herbs.

one of my favorite scenes with Zip is when he comes running through the archeology camp with the femur bone.

a beautiful movie with some important messages.

"only one food for the rest of my life? That's easy, cherry-flavored Pez. No question about it."

[–] chickdr-1 15 years ago

I don't think Zip was shot because he was seen as a food source. He was seen as a threat by the Dogmen. I think it was pretty obvious to the Indians he was with Berenger and Hershey. He is a welcome addition to the movie and they did a great job making him into a full fledged character rather than an extra...

[–] pathfinder616 15 years ago

excellent point and i agree. Zip was most definitely seen as a threat and the most immediate threat in that moment but they would have eaten him nonetheless. both Hersey and Berenger would have been killed as previous 'trespassers' were had Hersey not known their language so Berenger's reason for bringing her along was correct. he needed to be able to communicate with the Dogmen but i was never really convinced as to why. just to prove he did see something and his theory was right?

back to Zip. i thought the connection made between Zip and Berenger's hat was ingenious. in fact Berenger's hat was almost a character in itself. Zip and the hat stay together in the end. quite a strong metaphor and further evidence of excellent screenplay writing.

"only one food for the rest of my life? That's easy, cherry-flavored Pez. No question about it."

[–] FAnconia 15 years ago

Yea, I kinda liked that scene where Zip is told to give the bone back.

I had a giant Schnauzer once that would listen that well and obey. The dog would look at me as if to say, “say what, ya gotta be kidding me”, but she would do as told!

[–] WestyCat 14 years ago

That was a beautiful observation Pathfinder616!

I LOVE ZIP!!!!

WestyCat