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The Call of the Wild (1972 film)
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Wikipedia article
'The Call of the Wild' is a 1972 family adventure film directed by Ken Annakin and starring Charlton Heston, Michle Mercier, Raimund Harmstorf, George Eastman, and Maria Rohm.
Based on Jack London's 1903 novel 'The Call of the Wild', the film follows the adventures of a dog that is brought north to Canada to be used as a sled dog.
Plot
John Thornton (Charlton Heston) a prospector in the 1897 Klondike Gold Rush is trying to eke out a living in the harsh conditions of the bitterly cold Yukon region of Canada, with Buck the German Shepherd dog he befriends. Thornton struggles against unscrupulous rivals and natural hazards in the extreme conditions and is greatly helped by Buck who has his own story to tell: he was abducted from a family home and taken north to become a working sled dog. Man and dog forge a true bond of friendship, working together to survive life in the treacherous frozen North. Thornton is killed by Yeehat Indians, but Buck kills the men to avenge John Thornton. At the end of the film, Buck comes to the White River to mourn the place where he died.
Cast
* Charlton Heston John Thornton
* Michle Mercier Calliope Laurent
* Raimund Harmstorf Pete
* George Eastman Black Burton (dubbed by Robert Rietty)
* Maria Rohm Mercedes
* Juan Luis Galiardo Seze
* Sancho Gracia Taglish Charlie
* Friedhelm Lehmann Charles
* Horst Heuck Hal
* Rik Battaglia Dutch Harry
* Alfredo Mayo Judge Miller
* Sverre Wilberg Colonel
Production
The film was shot on location in Finland, Norway, and Spain.
Reception
Charlton Heston in his autobiography 'In the Arena: An Autobiography' made it very clear how unhappy he was with this film and asked people to not watch it. Although it was poorly received upon release, and was not released in the United States until 1975, today the film is seen in a better light. 'Contemporary British and Irish Film Directors: A Wallflower Critical Guide' described it as a "swinging back to action-adventure", starring "Charlton Heston at his best", another in the "long line of Annakin's panoramic films featuring a myriad of beautiful locations".
References
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