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:

Part Dog. Part Wolf. All 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 final leg of the serum relay was not run by Seppala and Togo, but by Gunnar Kasaan, who reached Nome on Groundhog Day. Kasaan was driving Seppala's second string of dogs, using a dog named Balto as the lead dog. In Seppala's considered opinion, Balto was a second-rate dog. For once, Seppala was wrong.

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Goofs

When Jenna gets close to Balto after he says "but I'm glad you came", she says "Are you okay?", then Balto says "Are you okay?", but neither of their mouths move when they say it.

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Quotes

Boris: Oh, Balto. I was so scared, I got people bumps.

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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

A dramatic and well made film

This film has a seriousness and drama to it that will surprise you. There are no songs, and it has an adult feel to it, with mature themes and exciting action. The voice characters are its main failing, with Kevin Bacon giving rather flat performance to Balto, and there is an overall lack of conviction in most of the other voices as well. But this movie has good story and excellent pacing- there are several gripping action sequences, and very few childish moments. Balto is an excellent family film, and will keep adults and older kids enthralled and entertained. I think it's a little too serious for very young kids to enjoy, though. It has realism and is not light hearted. There are ideas about sickness, death and prejudice which are used very well to move this story along and help resolve it in the end. This is a hero story with a feel-good ending, and plenty of adventure along the way. The art and appearance is interesting and unique, mostly classic animation with a few computer assisted scenes-- the overall look is tidy and quality, with some charm and humor that will get you smiling. It has a live action entry and closure (including a view of the Balto statue in Central Park) which acts as a tie-together, and the true story behind this movie gives it additional appeal. This film, like the WB's 'Iron Giant', has been breezed over by the public and not gotten the recognition it deserves. I would recommend Balto for anyone who likes dogs, realism, or just a smooth, enjoyable film.