The Call of the Wild (1972)

A house dog is abducted and brought to the north as a sled dog.

Director:

Ken Annakin

Writers:

Federico De Urrutia, Hubert Frank

Stars:

Charlton Heston, Michèle Mercier, Raimund Harmstorf

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charlton Heston	...	John Thornton
Michèle Mercier	...	Calliope Laurent (as Michelle Mercier)
Raimund Harmstorf	...	Pete (as Raymond Harmstorf)
George Eastman	...	Black Burton
Maria Rohm	...	Mercedes
Juan Luis Galiardo	...	Seze
Sancho Gracia	...	Taglish Charlie
Friedhelm Lehmann	...	Charles
Horst Heuck	...	Hal
Rik Battaglia	...	Dutch Harry
Alf Malland	...	Constantine
Alfredo Mayo	...	Judge Miller
Sverre Wilberg	...	Colonel
Olov Pedersen	...	Red Sweater
Per Amvik	...	François

Storyline

A house dog is abducted and brought to the north as a sled dog.

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Plot Keywords:

german shepherd | dog | sled dog | gold rush | wolf | 

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Taglines:

One of the greatest animal stories ever told ...

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Genres:

Adventure | Family | Western

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to Charlton Heston, the scenes in Dead Horse Pass were filmed with an actual dead horse, provided by a local slaughterhouse.

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Quotes

John Thornton: You hit that dog one more time, I'm gonna kill ya.
Hal: Go to hell! He's mine and I'll do what I like with him.
John Thornton: I shot four varmints already this morning. One more don't matter none to me.

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Connections

Version of Call of the Wild (1923)

User Reviews

Faithful adaption of Jack London classic

As the only name we American viewers will recognize in the cast, Charlton Heston does very well in the lead role of John Thornton rugged prospector in the Klondike Gold Rush. There are two leads of course, the other being Buck the lead sled dog that Heston puts more store in than most people.

It's not a misanthropic position by any means. As anyone who lives in the frozen north on any continent, a good sled dog is still the best transportation around. One that is loyal and smart like Buck is worth more than the gold he might carry out of a strike.

The only other version I saw of this story is the one that starred Clark Gable and Loretta Young in the Thirties, That one took considerable liberties with the story. This version is faithful to Jack London's novella which came out when folks were still panning for gold in this area in 1902.

You'll not know any other names from the cast except possibly French actress Michele Mercier who plays a saloon owner in Dawson City and who would like Heston to settle down with her. But The Call Of The Wild is as strong in him as it is in Buck The Dog who discovers his second cousin the wolf and yearns for their open existence. Though the dog develops an affection for his human the same way Heston has for the dog.

Heston is rugged and fine in the lead role. The non-recognition of the other players works out because it lends an air of authenticity to the film. Ken Annakin's direction is on target and the location cinematography done in the Lapland country of Norway and Finland is magnificent.

Heston wasn't crazy about the film, I imagine it was one rugged location shoot for him. Still his fans should like it and I can tell you he's done worse films than The Call Of The Wild.

Details

Country:

UK France West Germany Italy Spain

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 March 1975 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Call of the Wild

Filming Locations:

Lapland, Finland

Company Credits

Production Co:

Central Cinema Company Film (CCC), Norsk Film, Oceania Produzioni Internazionali Cinematografiche

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1