Never Cry Wolf (1983)

Director:

Carroll Ballard

Writers:

Farley Mowat (book)
Curtis Hanson (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

7 October 1983 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama

Tagline:

A True Story.

Plot:

A government researcher, sent to research the "menace" of wolves in the north, learns about the true beneficial and positive nature of the species.

Plot Keywords:

Wolf | Nature | Wilderness | Narration | Biologist

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 5 wins

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Charles Martin Smith	...	Farley Mowat / Tyler
Brian Dennehy	...	Rosie
Zachary Ittimangnaq	...	Ootek
Samson Jorah	...	Mike
Hugh Webster	...	Drunk
Martha Ittimangnaq	...	Woman
Tom Dahlgren	...	Hunter #1
Walker Stuart	...	Hunter #2

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Inuktitut

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Canada:A (Nova Scotia) | Iceland:12 | Australia:G | Canada:F (Ontario) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba) | Finland:K-8 | Sweden:7 | UK:PG | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Alaska, USA

Company:

Walt Disney Pictures

Trivia:

The US Copyright Notice field with the Library of Congress lists Curtis Hanson as co-writer.

Goofs:

Factual errors: According to Tyler's background narrations, it is early April when the snow melts and the lake is completely unfrozen by early May. In reality, snow in the Arctic doesn't melt until June.

Quotes:

Mike: To me a wolf means money. It's a way of making a living. One wolf pelt is about $350 dollars. And I've got to feed my family; my children. Buy a snowmobile; food, rifle, bullets whatever.
Tyler: You wouldn't ah... you wouldn't kill these wolves?
Mike: These ones... no. No I don't think so. Besides you would get mad if I killed one of them... and your gun is bigger than mine.
Tyler: Yeah.
Mike: I'd like to though.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Disneyland: Disney Goes to the Oscars (#30.8)" (1986)

Raw and Intense

This film is not a typical Disney movie; so much so that you wonder why they did it. The simple good-evil storyline common to most Disney movies does not exist here. All characters have a different motive, and all are convinced of their own morality. What's more, they convince you. You see the issue of enviornmentalism in Alaska from all sides; and even if you may not agree with everyone, you can at least see it from their perspective. In the end however, the message is far more simple and it is tough to argue with.

Another trait that immediately stands out about this movie is its striking rawness. For a good part of the film, the main character narrates, and one gets the feeling he's writing home, as opposed to telling an audience. This adds both an intimacy and a sincerity and is very effective.

Though it is largely unknown (and therefore largely under-appreciated), Never Cry Wolf is a beautiful, complex and forceful. A high point for Disney -- no contest.