Never Cry Wolf (1983)

Good start, but then it gets ruined

An action-packed slog

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

For my money Carroll Ballard is one of the all time great directors, and his effort in "Never Cry Wolf" only reinforces my conviction. Magnificent outdoor cinematography of breathtaking locations and wildlife action, captivate the viewer in this highly narrative tale about a man on an assignment to discover what's happening to the local fauna.I've never read the book. I'll admit to that right now. But, from what I understand, the book is driven more by plot than by the main characters self exploration, which is what drives the filmic version of the story. This is where fans of the book will diverge from the cinematic portrayal Tyler, a government naturalist. In both story versions he's assigned to discover what's happening with the caribou population, and specifically how the wolves in this predator-prey relationship, are effecting the balance.The film shows some of the short sighted and over thought preparation for Tyler's mission, and shows us his isolation and how he copes with combating loneliness and the nature's environment. We see his struggle (more often humorous than not) as he comes to terms with creating his own predator-prey relationship, and further comes to an understanding with the "locals" to balance himself with their existence. In this way it's a conservationist message, though not one driven by some political agenda. It's a story about man fitting in with the rest of creation, and how he can learn to live and adapt in the natural environment without disrupting the existence of others.The film veers a little to Robinson Crusoe kind of theme, and shows us imbalance after balance, and the transformation of Tyler's character. It's somewhat forced near the end, but Tyler and story both pull through, though not without some profound consequences and outcomes.Definitely one to rent and watch. If your family has taboos against nudity, there are some ever so brief scenes of Tyler (played by Charles Martin Smith) in the "altogether". They're meant to capture the spirit of man in the element from which he came, and imbue us with a sense of what we were so many eons ago.Enjoy :-)

I've only seen "Never Cry Wolf" once, during its original theatrical run. I was eight years old then and was completely bored by this film. I have a feeling that I would love it now for all of the reasons that I hated it then.Those reasons are the fact that it takes place in the Alaskan wilderness and is full of stunning visuals of the terrain and wildlife. And, it's a movie told largely without dialogue and spends large parts of its running time with one lone character. I'm fascinated by movies like that now, and so think it's worth giving "Never Cry Wolf" another try.Grade: B+

This is a great film. It succeeds on every level and really needs to apologize for nothing. The casting is exquisite - Charles Martin Smith is simply perfect as the somewhat overwhelmed academic who finds himself smack in the middle of his most anticipated/feared situation. Brian Dennehy is terrific as Rosie. "How do you beat boredom, Tyler? ... Adventure!". That may be one of my all-time favorite movie quotes. Many of us wish we had the nerve to accept this type of challenge and the self-awareness it will reveal. I have experienced the horror of finding myself lost, miles from any vestige of civilization, and the reaction of Tyler is spot on. Unlesss you've been there, you really can't get it. This film captures the experience of a man virtually alone in the wild as few have.

This film is not a typical Disney movie; so much so that you wonder why they did it. The simple good-evil storyline common to most Disney movies does not exist here. All characters have a different motive, and all are convinced of their own morality. What's more, they convince you. You see the issue of enviornmentalism in Alaska from all sides; and even if you may not agree with everyone, you can at least see it from their perspective. In the end however, the message is far more simple and it is tough to argue with.Another trait that immediately stands out about this movie is its striking rawness. For a good part of the film, the main character narrates, and one gets the feeling he's writing home, as opposed to telling an audience. This adds both an intimacy and a sincerity and is very effective.Though it is largely unknown (and therefore largely under-appreciated), Never Cry Wolf is a beautiful, complex and forceful. A high point for Disney -- no contest.