The Snow Walker (2003)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Charles Martin Smith

Writers:

Farley Mowat (book)
Charles Martin Smith (screenplay)

Release Date:

5 March 2004 (Canada)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama

Tagline:

Their Fight For Survival Formed An Unbreakable Bond.

Plot:

A pilot and his passenger struggle for survival after crashing in the Arctic tundra.

Plot Keywords:

Survival | Plane | Tuberculosis | Inuit | Tundra

Awards:

8 wins & 20 nominations

Cast

Barry Pepper	...	Charlie Halliday
Annabella Piugattuk	...	Kanaalaq
James Cromwell	...	Walter Shepherd
Kiersten Warren	...	Estelle
Jon Gries	...	Pierce
Robin Dunne	...	Carl
Malcolm Scott	...	Warren
Michael Bublé	...	Hap
Brad Sihvon	...	Mr. Izzard
Greg Spottiswood	...	Mr. Moss
Samson Jorah	...	Sammy
William MacDonald	...	Miner in Bar
Mariano Aupilardjuk	...	Elder Inuk
Peter Henry Arnatsiaq	...	Young Inuk
Peter Ipkornerk	...	Inuit Snow Camp
Yvo Samgushak	...	Inuit Snow Camp
Michael Wallace	...	Inuit Snow Camp
Albert Kimaliakyuk	...	Inuit Snow Camp

Directed by
Charles Martin Smith

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Farley Mowat		book "Walk Well My Brother"
Charles Martin Smith		screenplay

Produced by
John Houston	....	co-producer
Ellen Dinerman Little	....	executive producer (as Ellen Little)
Rob Merilees	....	producer
Michael Ohoven	....	executive producer
Barry Pepper	....	executive producer
Christina Toy	....	line producer
William Vince	....	producer

Original Music by
Mychael Danna

Cinematography by
David Connell		(main cinematographer)

Film Editing by
Alison Grace

Casting by
Jared Valentine

Production Design by
Doug Byggdin

Set Decoration by
Scott Rossell

Costume Design by
Allisa Swanson

Makeup Department
Joann Fowler	....	key hair stylist: winter unit
Joann Fowler	....	key makeup artist: winter unit
Eve Gardner	....	hair stylist
Leslie Graham	....	key hair stylist: British Columbia
Leslie Graham	....	key makeup artist: British Columbia
Jessica McFarlane	....	hair stylist swing: Inuit casting unit
Jessica Rain	....	hair stylist
Margaret Solomon	....	key makeup artist
Nancy Steyns	....	hair stylist: Inuit casting unit

Production Management
Joe Hobel	....	production supervisor: Infinity Media
Hugh McClelland	....	post-production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Brian Giddens	....	first assistant director: British Columbia
John Houston	....	second unit director
Dwane Launt	....	second assistant director: winter unit
Seanna McPherson	....	first assistant director
Kathleen Millar	....	third assistant director
Wendy Newton	....	second assistant director: British Ciolumbia
Michael Shandley	....	second assistant director
John Wilson	....	third assistant director: winter unit

Art Department
Larry Ballard	....	scenic painter
Reg Bardsley	....	fence construction: British Columbia unit
Bruce Cook	....	set dresser
Ron Dini	....	assistant carpenter
Catherine Greene	....	art assistant
Gerry Gyles	....	art department buyer
Gideon Hay	....	props
Robert Henderson	....	scenic painter
Bill Hicks	....	head scenic painter
Jamie Hicks	....	assistant carpenter
Glenn Hilworth	....	assistant props
Jim Hogan	....	scenic carpenter (as James Hogan)
Steve Jansen	....	carpenter
Tim Jansen	....	construction coordinator
Gabriel Karlik	....	construction laborer: Nunavut unit
Alex Kutschera	....	property master
Brad Leiman	....	assistant carpenter
Gord Martens	....	construction coordinator
Jack Nuviyak	....	construction laborer: Nunavut unit
Walter Ockley	....	construction: insert unit
Walter Ockley	....	set designer: insert unit
Murray Oman	....	construction laborer
Michael Powell	....	scenic painter
Robert Pratt	....	storyboard artist
Ricky Spence	....	carpenter
John Ulurksik	....	construction laborer: Nunavut unit
Lawrence Van Went	....	scenic painter
Jonathan Van Winkle	....	graphic artist
Jason Wilkins	....	lead set dresser
Chris Wren	....	storyboard artist
Tim Yanicki	....	painter assistant

Sound Department
Mark Berger	....	sound re-recording mixer
Frank Canonica	....	supervising sound recordist: mix stage
Chris Duesterdiek	....	sound mixer: location
Amy Giammarco	....	assistant sound editor
Dean Giammarco	....	sound effects editor
Dean Giammarco	....	sound re-recording mixer
Dean Giammarco	....	sound supervisor
Matthew Hale	....	technical support: sound
David Horner	....	adr recordist
Robert Hunter	....	foley editor
Robert Hunter	....	foley recordist
James Kusan	....	location sound mixer: British Columbia
Jody Robert Lessard	....	assistant dialogue editor
Johnny Ludgate	....	sound effects editor
Christine McLeod	....	dialogue editor
Maureen Murphy	....	foley artist
Gene Radzik	....	stereo sound consultant: Dolby
Karen Schell	....	sound: Inuit casting unit
Bill Sheppard	....	sound re-recording mixer
Bill Sheppard	....	sound supervisor
Steve F.B. Smith	....	sound effects editor (as Steve Smith)
Daniel Sperry	....	sound consultant: Dolby (as Dan Sperry)
Graham Timmer	....	boom operator

Special Effects by
Robert Martin Luther Carter	....	special effects assistant (as Robert Carter)
Andrew Chamberlayne	....	special effects consultant (as Andy Chamberlayne)
Mark Higham	....	special effects coordinator
Todd McKay	....	model airplane technician: Nunavut unit
Glenn Nixon	....	special effects assistant: British Columbia
William D. Ryan	....	special effects coordinator: winter unit
Chris Sturges	....	special effects assistant: British Columbia
Dennis Ward	....	model airplane technician: Nunavut unit

Visual Effects by
Trevor Adams	....	3D animator
Michael Adkisson	....	lead composite artist (as Michael 'Mookie' Adkisson)
Mark Benard	....	visual effects coordinator: Lost Boys
Mark Benard	....	visual effects producer
Drake Conrad	....	digital layout: Cinebyte
Paul Cox	....	visual effects supoervisor: Northwest Imaging & FX (as Paul R. Cox)
Jean-Luc Dinsdale	....	visual effects coordinator: GVFX
Bob Dohrendorf	....	opticals: Cinematte Inc.
Arlend Engar	....	3D animator
Elton Garcia	....	visual effects supervisor
Kevin Genzel	....	digital compositor
Jason Giberson	....	scanning: Cinebyte
Rick Hannigan	....	project manager: Cinebyte
Roula Lainas	....	visual effects coordinator: Lost Boys
Jason Macza	....	3D animator
Pete Mastalyr	....	Inferno composite artist: Northwest Imaging & FX (as Peter Mastalyr)
Mark Meloche	....	digital compositor
Ken Meyer	....	3D animator
Andrew Midgley	....	visual effects producer
Reece Mills	....	3D animator
Merysa Nicholas	....	digital composite artist (as Merysa Nichols)
Tony Power	....	visual effects coordinator
Judy D. Shane	....	digital compositor
Michael Stewart	....	digital compositor: Lost Boys Studios
Suzanne Thompson	....	visual effects producer: Northwest Imaging & FX
Mark Tureski	....	digital layout: Cinebyte
Chris Uyede	....	3D animator
Kris Varga	....	3D animator

Stunts
Charlie Armitage	....	stunt pilot
Brett Armstrong	....	stunt coordinator
Scott J. Ateah	....	stunt coordinator: British Columbia unit (as Scott Ateah)
Robertson Lee	....	stunt double: Sammy
Dave Robertson	....	stunt pilot
Roxanne Wong	....	stunt double: Kanaalaq, British Columbia unit

Camera and Electrical Department
Shannon Abbott	....	lamp operator
Douglas Arculus	....	lamp operator: Inuit casting unit
Satu Bell	....	still photographer (as Satu Wainio)
Justin Bergler	....	second assistant camera: "a" camera, winter unit
Shawn Callahan	....	dolly grip
Kirk Chiswell	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera, British Columbia
Scott Cozens	....	camera loader: winter unit
Gabriel Daniels	....	camera trainee
Enrique del Rio	....	second assistant camera: "a" camera, British Columbia
Glen A. Dickson	....	camera operator: "b" camera, winter unit (as Glen Dixon)
Todd M. Duym	....	camera loader: Inuit casting unit (as Todd Duym)
J. Norman Earle	....	best boy grip (as Norm Earle)
Todd Elyzen	....	camera operator: Inuit casting unit
Todd Elyzen	....	director of photography: Inuit casting unit
Lee Gibeau	....	best boy grip: British Columbia
Lee Gibeau	....	dolly grip: second unit, winter
Mark Gordon	....	second assistant camera: "b" camera, winter unit
Trevor D. Gray	....	generator operator: winter unit (as Trevor Gray)
Matt Greenhough	....	key grip: winter unit
Justin Hanika	....	lamp operator
Brett Harvey	....	documentary camera operator
Ian Haughton	....	best boy lighting (as Ian Houghton)
John G. Helme	....	gaffer (as John Helme)
Cliff Hokanson	....	Steadicam operator: Inuit casting unit
Jon Joffin	....	camera operator: insert unit
Jon Joffin	....	director of photography: insert unit
Jon Joffin	....	director of photography: winter unit
Simon Jori	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera, insert unit
Norbert Kaluza	....	camera operator: "b" camera
Julie Kim	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera, Inuit casting unit
Doug Lavender	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera, winter unit
Rob Lee	....	generator operator: insert unit
Robin Lindala	....	second assistant camera: "a" camera
Stephen Maier	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera, winter unit
Rod McDonald	....	generator operator
Eric Milner	....	still photographer: winter unit
Paul Mitcheltree	....	aerial camera technician
Hans Mullock	....	grip: Inuit casting unit (as Hans Mollock)
Marty Nicholas	....	key grip: British Columbia
Diyah Pera	....	still photographer: British Columbia
Mark Roop	....	generator operator: British Columbia
Grizz Salzl	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera, British Columbia
Raj Sangha	....	second assistant camera: "a" camera, Nunavut unit
Paul Sarossy	....	director of photography: British Columbia
Scott Schonewille	....	grip
Richard Sinclair	....	second assistant camera: "a" camera, insert unit
Randy Stamhuis	....	key grip
Daniel Taylor	....	grip: Nunavut unit
Chris Thompson	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera
Gabriel Tiktak	....	grip: Nunavut unit
Marie Trembley	....	second assistant camera: "b" camera
Jim Van Dijk	....	Steadicam operator: British Columbia
Jim Van Dijk	....	camera operator: "b" camera, British Columbia
Robert Wood	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera
Cory Zaharia	....	grip

Casting Department
Michael Angalik	....	casting assistant: Kivalliq Region
Amy Anguti	....	casting assistant: Kitikmeat Region
Jolene Arreak	....	casting assistant: Iqaluit
Kyle Cassie	....	reader: Inuit casting unit
Sandy Cook	....	extras casting
Joey Evalik	....	casting assistant: Kitikmeat Region
Mary Hands	....	casting assistant: Tungasuvvingat Inuit
John Houston	....	Inuit casting
Lamech Kadloo	....	casting assistant: Pond Inlet
Aaron Kigeak	....	casting assistant: Kitikmeat Region
Albert Kimaliakyuk	....	casting assistant: Kivalliq Region
Elise Kipsigak	....	casting assistant: Pond Inlet
Martin Kreelak	....	casting assistant: Kivalliq Region
Jeeteeta Merkosak	....	casting assistant: Pond Inlet
Simon Merkosak	....	casting assistant: Pond Inlet
Rita Mike	....	casting assistant: Pangnirtung
Noah Paniloo	....	casting assistant: Kitikmeat Region
David Poisey	....	casting assistant: Pangnirtung
Johnny Qammaniq	....	Inuit extras casting: winter unit
Fiona Qilluniq	....	casting assistant: Kitikmeat Region
Kerry Rock	....	additional casting
Linda Tucktoo	....	casting assistant: Kitikmeat Region
Tracy Wallace	....	casting assistant: Kivalliq Region

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Scarlet D. Armstrong	....	assistant costume designer (as Scarlet Armstrong)
Erica Bluhm	....	seamstress
Annie Bowkett	....	inuit seamstress
Lucy Denny	....	costume cutter
Lucy Denny	....	seamstress
Joan Friesen	....	wardrobe assistant: Nunavut unit
Sylvie Gendron	....	costumer: preparation
Rosie Oolooyuk	....	inuit seamstress
Audrey Wong	....	costumer: preparation

Editorial Department
Amy Amantea	....	post-production assistant
David Armstrong	....	color timer
Kevin James Brown	....	dailies colorist
Edward Joseph Douglas	....	on-line editor
Sarah Hedar	....	assistant editor
Ryan Hogan	....	colorist: dailies
Janet Kendrick	....	post-production coordinator
B.F. Painter	....	post-production coordinator
Claudio Sepulveda	....	final colorist

Music Department
Mychael Danna	....	orchestrator
Nicholas Dodd	....	conductor
Nicholas Dodd	....	orchestrator
Paul Intson	....	composer: additional music
Paul Intson	....	music editor
Paul Intson	....	orchestrator
Dave King	....	musician: additional drumming
Ron Korb	....	musician: North American wood flute
Penner MacKay	....	musician: barrelhouse taiko drumming
Dan Parr	....	music preparation
Dennis Patterson	....	assistant music score recording engineer
Ron Searles	....	music score recording engineer
Mark Skazinetsky	....	concert master
Ron Skinner	....	assistant music score recording engineer
Lenny Solomon	....	music contractor
Tristana Ward	....	music consultant

Transportation Department
Lindsey Bart	....	driver: set deck
Darren Collins	....	driver: winter unit
Ralph Eugster	....	transportation coordinator: British Columbia unit
David Halliday	....	transportation captain
Kris Iversen	....	driver: insert unit
Sammy James	....	driver: British Columbia
Gina Marks	....	driver: British Columbia
John O'Toole	....	transportation coordinator
Jeff Robson	....	snowmobile driver: winter unit
James Stewart	....	transportation captain: British Columbia
Hamish Tatty	....	driver: Nunavut unit
Peter Ugjuk	....	driver: Nunavut unit
Miles Vince	....	driver: Nunavut unit

Other crew
Paul Anawak	....	security: Nunavut unit
Jerry Angidlik	....	security: Nunavut unit
Lena Angoo	....	stand-in: Kanaalaq, winter unit
Holly Atchison	....	script supervisor: Nunavut unit
Pia Athayde	....	production accountant
David Bastock	....	assistant accountant
Jon Bell	....	office assistant: Infinity Media
Steven Benoit	....	security: Nunavut unit
Grant Beyer	....	reindeer wrangler: British Columbia
Heenan Blaikie	....	legal services
Duane Bradley	....	animal trainer
Connie Brown	....	controller: Infinity Media
Anita Brunen	....	location production assistant
Kevin Burke	....	polar bear management
Holly Carinci	....	publicist: HollyWords Publicity Inc.
Carrie Chase	....	production financing: Royal Bank of Canada
Debbie Coe	....	wrangler
Dennis Compayre	....	assistant location manager
Murray Compayre	....	location production assistant
Eric Dahinden	....	reindeer handler: British Columbia
Emile Daudet	....	location production assistant
Anthony Dohm	....	production assistant: Vancouver
Ty Douglas	....	stand-in: David Duchovny
Linda Dubuc	....	insurance broker: Taillefer Desjardins Inc.
Paul Duke	....	chef: British Columbia
Cathie J. Edgar	....	location manager (as Cathie Edgar)
Kelsey Eliasson	....	polar bear management
Dan Falkenberg	....	production assistant: British Columbia unit
Natalie Fokes	....	post-production accountant
Steven Forster	....	assistant chef: British Columbia
Tracy Gartner	....	assistant craft service
Mary Pat Gleeson	....	marketing consultant
Merv Gunter	....	tundra buggies supplier: Tundra Buggy Tours
Maren Harman	....	production assistant: Inuit unit
Jim Heaton	....	location production assistant: winter unit
Elaine Hiebert	....	assistant craft service
Moira Holmes	....	completion bond: The Completion Guarantors
George Hughes	....	reindeer wrangler: British Columbia
Melissa Irwin	....	production assistant: Nunavut unit
Laura Ivey	....	legal and business affairs: Infinity Media
Arsene Karlik	....	security: Nunavut unit
Ingrid Kenning	....	script supervisor
Phil Kieran	....	location manager: British Columbia
Albert Kimaliakyuk	....	location manager: Nunavut unit
Keith Alan Kozak	....	chef (as Keith Kozak)
Calvin Kuch	....	assistant production coordinator
Warren Langille	....	craft service
Warren Langille	....	first aid
James MacLean	....	publicist: Infinity Media
Andrew Mann	....	chief financial officer: Infinity Media
Kyle Mann	....	legal and business affairs: Infinity Media
Fred McGillivary	....	security officer
Jody McRae	....	helicopter pilot
Michael Meinhardt	....	assistant: Mr. Merilees and Mr. Smith, British Columbia
Andrew Merilees	....	post-production accountant
Laura Merritt	....	stand-in: Kanaalaq, Nunavut unit
Jackson Murphy	....	assistant: Mr. Merilees
Edna Oman	....	production assistant: Churchill
Keith Oman	....	location production assistant
Rob Oman	....	location production assistant: winter unit
Darren Ottaway	....	liaison: Churchill Township
Richard Panika	....	security: Nunavut unit
Manbir Parhar	....	post-production accountant
Levon Parseghian	....	assistant: Mr. Ohoven
Mark Pearson	....	helicopter pilot
Doug Pepper	....	assistant: Mr. Pepper
David Porter	....	assistant chef
Ritch Renaud	....	location manager prep: British Columbia
Alain Rioux	....	helicopter pilot
Scott Robarts	....	corporate accountant: Infinity Media
Jeff Robson	....	stand-in: Halliday, winter unit
Kerry Rock	....	development executive: Infinity Media
Manford Russell	....	liaison: Churchill Township
Eva B. Schmieg	....	legal services
Norman Schweder	....	location production assistant
Jim Seibel	....	sales executive: Infinity Media
Anna Smith	....	assistant: Mr. Smith
Dale Smith	....	security: British Columbia
Barbara Snelgrove	....	office coordinator: Vancouver
Jim Sternberg	....	completion bond: The Completion Guarantors
Weslie Stevens	....	location production assistant
Solomon Subgut	....	security: Nunavut unit
Peggy Sullivan	....	post-production accountant
Jacques Taillefer	....	insurance broker: Taillefer Desjardins Inc.
Ross Tatty	....	security: Nunavut unit
Sean Thompson	....	stand-in: Halliday, winter unit
Fredrik Thorsen	....	documentarian: winter unit
Noah Tiktak	....	production assistant: Nunavut unit
Mark Tuit	....	production assistant: Vancouver
Kelly Turcotte	....	location production assistant
Graham Twomey	....	assistant animal wrangler
Ana Valine	....	production coordinator
David Valleau	....	office assistant: Infinity Media
Pete Valleau	....	assistant: Mr. Vince (as Peter Valleau)
Grant Vetters	....	production coordinator: British Columbia
Evelyn Victory	....	assistant: Ms. Plugattuk
Michaela Vince	....	assistant craft service
Nathanial Vince	....	production assistant: British Columbia unit
Tracy Wallace	....	assistant production coordinator: Nunavut unit
Randy Wasylkoski	....	polar bear management
Paul Websdale	....	accounting and tax consulting services: MacKay LLP
Aimee Williams	....	stand-in
Oliver Wong	....	chef: winter unit
Don Woodman	....	production accountant: British Columbia

Thanks
Louise O'Brien-Moran	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Astral Media
• British Columbia Film Commission
• CanWest Western Independent Producers Fund
• Canadian Television Fund
• First Look International
• Infinity Media
• Movie Central Network
• Movie Network, The (TMN)
• Snow Walker/Walk Well Productions
• Super Écran
• Téléfilm Canada (as Telefilm Canada)

Distributors

• Cinemien (2004) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Lions Gate Films (2004) (USA) (theatrical)
• Casablanca Filmes (2005) (Brazil) (all media)
• First Look International (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• Homescreen (2005) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Movie-Eye Media (2009) (Japan) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Cine-Byte Imaging (VFX scanning and recording by) (as Cinebyte)
• Cinematte (opticals)
• Gajdecki Visual Effects (GVFX) (visual effects coordination) (as GVFX)
• Lost Boys Studios (mosquito sequence VFX by) (as Lost Boys Studios Inc.)
• Lost Boys Studios (visual effects coordination) (as Lost Boys)
• Northwest Imaging & FX (additional digital and VFX by)
• Northwest Imaging & FX (additional visual effects) (as Northwest Imaging)
• Title House Digital (additional visual effects)
• Title House Digital (digital and VFX)

Other Companies

• Action Animals  wolves supplied by
• Alphacine Laboratory Services  laboratory services
• Background, The  walla group (as The Background)
• Celluloid Jukebox  music consultant
• Chimo Air Service  float planes supplied by
• Cinesonic Productions  sound editing facilities (as Cinesonic Productions)
• Clairmont  camera systems by
• Coe's Animal Talent  animal coordination
• Completion Guarantors (TGC)  completion bond
• Customs Helicopter  helicopters supplied by
• DBC Sound  sound post-production
• Delivered Films  picture editing facilities
• Glen Gould Studio, CBC Toronto  score recorded at
• HollyWords Publicity Inc.  publicity
• Hudson Bay Helicopters  helicopters supplied by
• MacKay & Associates  accounting and tax consulting services
• Marc Graye Studios  additional adr recorded at (as Marc Graue Recording Studios)
• Maverik Catering Inc.  catering
• Mondo Catering  catering: British Columbia unit
• National Film Board of Canada (NFB)  stock footage provided by
• Natsiq Productions  locations contact
• Northern Dene Airways  float planes supplied by
• PS Production Services  lights and equipment
• Panavision Canada  camera systems by (as Panavision)
• Post Modern Sound  adr recorded at
• Royal Bank of Canada  production financing
• Saul Zaentz Film Center  sound mixing facilities
• Sharpe Sound Studios  foley studio
• Taillefer Desjardins  insurance company
• The Bush Edit House  negative cutting
• Thompson-Nicola Film Commission  production services
• Title House Digital  titles
• Toronto Film Orchestra, The  score performed by
• Toybox  dailies processing
• Tundra Buggy Tours  tundra buggies supplied by
• UQSIQ Communications  interpreter

MPAA:

Rated PG for thematic elements, language, some disturbing images and brief nudity.

Runtime:

103 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

South Korea:All | Australia:M | Brazil:14 | Netherlands:MG6 | USA:PG | Canada:PG

Filming Locations:

Churchill, Manitoba, Canada

Company:

Astral Media

Trivia:

A tame reindeer herd stood in for the wild caribou during the hunt scene.

Goofs:

Continuity: Early in the film Charlie's girlfriend Estelle takes a photograph of Charlie and his fellow pilots. When the photo is snapped Charlie is clearly inhaling a cigar and has his eyes closed. Later in the film this photo is presented to Charlie's boss but the cigar is absent, his eyes are open, and he's smiling.

Quotes:

Kanaalaq: Walk well, my brother.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Weird Sex and Snowshoes: A Trek Through the Canadian Cinematic Psyche (2004) (TV)

Closer to fact than fiction

Having spent several years in air search an rescue, this movie is most excellent on how people react when things go wrong. The producers went to great lengths to give accuracy as seen by the detailed mock up they had of the Norseman and the great amount of mosquitos encountered. To rate this movie in a low category would indicate to me that the commenter has had very little to do with wilderness survival in the high arctic.

Even the crash details were reasonably accurate in that the floats on the aircraft had crumpled at the tips. The anger of the pilot after the crash is indicative of shock reaction in such and incident. His methods of survival versus her small fire and small shelter add to the realism of this movie.