Title: Never Cry Wolf
Year: 1983
Country: USA
Genre: Adventure, Drama
Running time: 105 min.
Directed by: Carroll Ballard
Starring: Charles Martin Smith, Brian Dennehy, Zachary Ittimangnaq
imdb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086005/
The bond between people and animals is one of the more fascinating aspects of human psychology, although, more often than not, portraying that bond on a movie screen has proved to be a daunting task that falls short of success. Filmmaker Carroll Ballard (Black Stallion, Fly Away Home) uses subtle imagery and gorgeous cinematography to make Never Cry Wolf a marginally successful tale of a man who discovers his soul through his connection with nature. We are able to identify with Tyler (Charles Martin Smith) right from the start because he has no past. A brave, naďve man, he embarks on a journey known as the Lupine Project. He will travel to a remote section of the Arctic to study wolf habitat and discover whether the wild wolves are killing off the highly valued caribou. If they are, then the Canadian government will have all the reason it needs to exterminate the species. From the start, Never Cry Wolf seems as if it might become a study of Murphy’s Law in sub-zero temperatures. During Tyler’s first few months in seclusion, anything and everything goes wrong – wrong enough to make him begin the most disgusting rodent-eating habit this side of the television program, Survivor. Through all his adversity, however, Tyler bonds with a wolf pack, and comes to admire the subtlety and cleverness of their behavior. But Tyler is not as alone as he believes, and soon a group of hunters threatens to disrupt the wolves’ peaceful habitat. Tyler is forced to make a choice between going home and standing up for this new world that has become his own. Never Cry Wolf is based on a book written by Farley Mowat, and one gets the feeling that the story was more effectively told on the printed page. This is often a beautiful film to look at, and some of Tyler’s narration borders on the profound, but the truth is that there isn’t much going on for a large portion of the movie’s105 minutes. Those accustomed to fast-paced filmmaking are advised to stay away. According to Martin Smith, the one-and-a-half year shoot was a grueling experience. The movie was filmed in difficult conditions, including freezing temperatures and remote locations. Curtis Hanson, who went on to direct L.A. Confidential and Wonder Boys, co-wrote the screenplay, but large portions of the movie were filmed without scripted dialogue. It shows. But if you can get past the lack of significant dialogue then you will find a touching tale of one man’s journey – a journey that can teach us all a little bit about ourselves.
by Akiva Gottlieb
Cosmopapi rating: 77%
This post first appeared on 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die - Part II, please read the originial post: here
