Arctic Blue (1993)

A man from L.A. gets a job as ecologist in Alaska's wilderness. He takes part in arresting and transporting a trapper wanted for murder. But the trapper Ben (Rutger Hauer) and his friends will do anything to free Ben.

Director:

Peter Masterson

Writer:

Ross LaManna

Stars:

Rutger Hauer, Dylan Walsh, Rya Kihlstedt

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rutger Hauer	...	Ben Corbett
Dylan Walsh	...	Eric Desmond
Rya Kihlstedt	...	Anne Marie
Johnny Cuthbert	...	Lemalle (as Jon Cuthbert)
John 'Bear' Curtis	...	Mitchell (as John Bear Curtis)
Bill Croft	...	'Viking' Bob Corbett
Richard Bradford	...	Wilder
Kevin Cooney	...	Meyerling
Michael Lawrenchuk	...	Earl Kenai
Stephen E. Miller	...	Arthur Neff
Gunargie O'Sullivan	...	Dixie
J.B. Bivens	...	Sportsman #1
Michael St. John Smith	...	Sportsman #2
Ron Chartier	...	Sportsman #3
Dan Shea	...	Pilot

Storyline

An environmentalist gets involved in transporting an accused killer (Ben) from an isolated Alaskan town to the authorities. Ben is determined to escape, and his fellow trappers are ready to help.

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Plot Keywords:

trapper | bare breasts | radio | digging | color in title | 

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Taglines:

In Alaska, when the nights get longer... People get crazy.

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Genres:

Action | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

1993 (Canada)

Also Known As:

Apodrasi stin Arktiki

Filming Locations:

Britannia Beach, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arctic Blue Inc., New City Productions

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Wonderful escapist material.............'Arctic Blue' is a portal to Alaska!

Whenever I see this film, I always feel like tucking myself away in bed, wishing the weather outside would be Grey, windy, cold and rainy so as I could feel safe in my home and lazy. I'm not saying 'Arctic Blue' is mediocre - on the contrary.....

This is one of the few films I've seen where I feel completely relaxed. Even with the violence that fills it, this film has such a relaxing, gentle beauty about it - not to mention the exhilarating Alaskan scenery this film showcases.

Peter Masterson, the director, delivers an authentic feeling of isolation and paints a picture of the enormity of the location to the viewer. This is a good base for an original story - In an isolated town in the middle of nowhere, anything can happen....even murder! The atmosphere was built very well and you get a touch of what it would be like living there.

The cinematography was splendid. It constantly gave me the urge to want to be there - still tucked in bed though. The film painted such a brilliant picture of just how far the nearest town could be by utilizing the treacherous yet beautiful landscape.

The music was nothing special, although at times I could say it added well to the wilderness and action scenes well.

I couldn't say much about the story either - also nothing special - although it is original. Nevertheless, it does hold your attention for all duration. The dazzling scenery adds most to the experience though.

Rutger Hauer was an excellent choice for the misunderstood individual - the same role he played masterfully in Blade Runner. His commanding presence always gives films great credibility. Here he plays a sad individual who feels he has nothing to lose and that nature is his home after losing his wife years earlier. It is for this reason he and a band of friends murder rival trappers on a hunting trip without remorse. Dylan walsh plays his role convincingly as an ecologist for an oil company who's responsibility, being the only pilot in town, is to transport Rutger Hauer to the nearest town to be trialled for his crimes.

In general, I found the film quite entertaining - like a 1.5 hour portal to Alaska. And it is so relaxing and beautiful that you forget about its shortcomings and plot holes. It isn't a classic, but in my books, a definitive escapist experience and a must for all the wilderness film fans out there.