The Call of the Wild (1972 film)
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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The Call of the Wild is a 1972 family adventure film directed by Ken Annakin and starring Charlton Heston, Michèle Mercier, Raimund Harmstorf, George Eastman, and Maria Rohm.
Based on Jack London's 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.
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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
- Michèle Mercier – Calliope Laurent
- Raimund Harmstorf – Pete
- George Eastman – Black Burton
- 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.
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 wasn't 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".
