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:

The true story of an American hero

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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

The steam engine waiting at the Nenana depot is from the Alaska RR. Because of a storm, the Alaska RR was only able to send the serum from Anchorage to Nenana.

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Goofs

When Jenna and Balto are in the boiler room by the boiler, and Steele comes in between them, Jenna's on Steele's right, with Balto on Steele's left. A few shots after Steele says "You start at one end, I start on the other, and when we get to the middle" to Jenna, Balto is not on Steele's left, but by the boiler, almost in front of it.

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Quotes

Nikki: Good wordplay there, boss!
Kaltag: You are the wittiest, you are the drollest, the cleverest, the sharpest, you are the most hilariousest!
Star: You crack me up!
[laughs, then gets bonked on the head by Kaltag]
Star: Whoopee!
[falls down dizzily]

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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 Balto: Wolf Quest (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

A Movie Worth Seeing

Not many animated films from other major movie companies not of Disney are very good. Balto is one of these rare films. Very good voice acting from names like Kevin Bacon, Bridget Fonda, and Bob Hoskins. I enjoyed every minute of it. In fact, I liked James Horner's score so much I bought the soundtrack. There may be sometimes when the film doesn't follow the plot, but still it entertains. Roger Ebert gave it three stars. I must agree plenty.