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Nanook of the North (1922)

7.8
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Ratings: 7.8/10 from 4,953 users  
Reviews: 30 user | 34 critic

In this silent-film predecessor to the modern documentary, filmmaker Robert J. Flaherty spends one year following the lives of Nanook and his family, Inuit Eskimos living in the Arctic Circle.

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Title: Nanook of the North (1922)

Nanook of the North (1922) on IMDb 7.8/10

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
Allakariallak ...
Nanook (as Nanook)
Nyla ...
Herself - Nanook's Wife, the Smiling One
Allee ...
Himself - Nanook's Son
Cunayou ...
Herself - Nanook's Wife
Allegoo ...
Himself - Nanook's Son
Camock ...
Himself - Nanook's Cat
Edit

Storyline

Documents one year in the life of Nanook, an Eskimo (Inuit) and his family. Describes the trading, hunting, fishing and migrations of a group barely touched by industrial technology. Nanook of the North was widely shown and praised as the first full-length, anthropological documentary in cinematographic history. Written by <xaviermartin@hotmail.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

inuit | seal | starvation | walrus | harpoon | See more »

Taglines:

A picture with more drama, greater thrill, and stronger action than any picture you ever saw. See more »

Genres:

Documentary

Certificate:

TV-PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
Edit

Details

Country:

|

Release Date:

11 June 1922 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Nanuk der Eskimo  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Budget:

$53,000 (estimated)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (TCM print)

Sound Mix:

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Included among the '1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die', edited by Steven Jay Schneider. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Petticoat Junction: Wings (1968) See more »

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User Reviews

 
Warmth, despite the Arctic surroundings
21 September 1999 | by (Toronto, Canada) – See all my reviews

Apparently, Flaherty's working method was to shoot a lot of footage, then piece together a scenario back in the cutting room. That clearly has to be an oversimplification. Regardless, he did a remarkable job of showing the daily drama in the lives of these people -- ordinary within their own society, and impervious to cold by the standards of ours -- and treating them with great warmth and humour.

Nanook is really quite a dashing and self-effacing hero.

Flaherty subsequently had trouble finding backing, and in any collaboration with another director, his influence is said to be the lesser of the two. Did he ever recapture quite this quality of mood? Perhaps he came closest with the delightful Sabu, in "Elephant Boy" (1937), collaborating with Zoltan Korda on that occasion.

Some people believe he did in "Man of Aran" (1934). At the moment, I remain unconvinced, although I have not had the opportunity to see that one projected on a proper screen.

If "Nanook" does not come to life for you at home, it will in a theatrical setting.


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