Balto (1995)

An outcast half-wolf risks his life to prevent a deadly epidemic from ravaging Nome, Alaska.

Director:

Simon Wells

Writers:

Cliff Ruby (screenplay), Elana Lesser (screenplay),

Stars:

Kevin Bacon, Bob Hoskins, Bridget Fonda

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kevin Bacon	...	Balto (voice)
Bob Hoskins	...	Boris the Goose (voice)
Bridget Fonda	...	Jenna (voice)
Jim Cummings	...	Steele the Sled Dog (voice)
Phil Collins	...	Muk and Luk (voice)
Jack Angel	...	Nikki (voice)
Danny Mann	...	Kaltag (voice)
Robbie Rist	...	Star (voice)
Juliette Brewer	...	Rosy (voice)
Sandra Dickinson	...	Sylvie / Dixie (voice)
Miriam Margolyes	...	Grandma Rosy / Extra Voices
Lola Bates-Campbell	...	Granddaughter
Donald Sinden	...	Doc (voice)
William Roberts	...	Rosy's Father (voice)
Garrick Hagon	...	Telegraph Operator (voice)

Storyline

A half-wolf, half-husky named Balto gets a chance to become a hero when an outbreak of diphtheria threatens the children of Nome, Alaska in the winter of 1925. He leads a dog team on a 600-mile trip across the Alaskan wilderness to get medical supplies. The film is based on a true story which inspired the Iditarod dog sled race.

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Plot Keywords:

nome alaska | dog | alaska | wilderness | children | 

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Taglines:

His story became a legend. His adventure is one you'll never forget.

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Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Drama | Family | History

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 December 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Balto - Ein Hund mit dem Herzen eines Helden

Filming Locations:

Central Park, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$11,268,750 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Amblimation, Amblin Entertainment, Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

78 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS-Stereo DTS

Color:

Color (Rankcolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Born in 1919 in the small town of Nome, Alaska, Balto spent the first two years of his existence to carry food for the minors. He was considered rather slow and very little suited for this work.

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Goofs

At one point in the movie, a bush plane can be seen being used in one of the failed attempts to carry the serum because of the severe weather. Bush planes in the 1920s were not used for deliveries, medicine, or mail. They were used for surveys and firefighting and were popularized after World War II. Before that, they were not a common sight. Also, bush planes were concentrated in Canada and weren't used commercially in Alaska until the 1940s.

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Quotes

Kaltag: Balto! What are you, nuts? If Steele catches you around here, he's gonna turn ya into kibble!
Nikki: Why not let the half-dog run? It will be fun making him eat our snow.

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Crazy Credits

After the credits, Fievel from "An American Tail" (1986) pushes the Amblimation logo into place, then stands next to it and his hat falls down over his eyes.

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Connections

Referenced in Stuart Little 2 (2002)

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Soundtracks

"Reach for the Light"
Composed by James Horner and Barry Mann
Lyrics by Cynthia Weil
Performed by Steve Winwood
Backing Vocals: Bonnie Keen (uncredited), Chris Rodriguez (uncredited), Micah Wilshire (uncredited), and Tina Clark (uncredited)
Chorus: Caitlin McCollister (uncredited), Elizabeth Winwood (uncredited), Emily Estes (uncredited), Evan Brooder (uncredited), Gianno Caputo (uncredited), Holly Burt (uncredited), Jamie Grable (uncredited), Joel Dunham (uncredited), Katy Dunham (uncredited), Lauren Caputo (uncredited), Leah Lofton (uncredited), Mary Claire Winwood (uncredited), Natalia DiGesare (uncredited)

User Reviews

Great Animation, Greatly Produced

Where can I start? This movie is greatly animated, directed and written. There's no cheesy songs to slow it up or a boring storyline. Every angle that is shown is perfect, every background and colour scheme is great. The music by James Horner is well done and fits the moods of the film. Whether you're a kid or an adult, you will find yourself cheering Balto on.