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Charles Martin Smith, Brian Dennehy, Zachary Ittimangnaq, Samson Jorah, Hugh Webster ... see more see more... , Martha Ittimangnaq , Tom Dahlgren , Walker Stuart

The wolves of the Arctic Circle and its environs, the stunning beauty of a Northern winter, a biologist who braves it all to record the lives of the wolves, and Inuits who save the biologist's hide an... read more read more...d share their own wisdom openly are all winners in this film that is a tribute to the skills of writer and director Carroll Ballard (The Black Stallion). Based on Farley Mowat's autobiographical novel of the same name, Tyler (Charles Martin Smith) is a normal biologist until he gets up into the Arctic winter in order to prove that the caribou herds are not being decimated by wolves; then he becomes a semi-klutz, unable to instinctively adapt to the deep freeze around him. After he sets up his first stake-out, a native Inuit named Oolek (Zachary Ittimangnaq) comes along to help him out and gets him better established in an isolated hut, where Tyler is left to fend for himself again. That he does, but not because he can see in advance what his needs or problems are going to be -- he just comes up against the worst when it happens and works from there. At the same time, Tyler gets to carefully and closely observe a wolf family he has already dubbed as George, Angeline, and the three pups, and he has several comic interactions with his distant "pets." Oolek and his friend Mike (Samson Jorah) drop by to keep Tyler company for awhile, sharing their observations on nature and life in an easy-going, non-committal manner. With Tyler's perseverance and the knowledge gained from experience and through these conversations, the real culprit in the decimation of the caribou turns out not to have four legs at all. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

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80% liked it

4,777 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

18 critics

PG, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Carroll Ballard

Release Date: January 1, 1983

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DVD Release Date: February 22, 2000

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Stats: 222 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (222)

  • fb653545547
    February 5, 2012
    fb653545547
    Never Cry Wolf looks, sounds and feels like a DisneyNature film, for the most part. A desolate location, focus on animals, minimal dialogue...though the movie never quite knows what it wants to be. Initially, there are hints of comedy, then "man against nature" drama, then docu... read morementary and so on. By not picking one genre to play in, Never Cry Wolf borders on lacking focus. Charles Martin Smith plays well against the frigid backdrop and the occasional humans he runs into, but this is really about the place and the animals. An episode of Planet Earth is, arguably, more interesting.
  • laney33
    June 28, 2008
    laney33
    My parents dragged me, kicking and screaming, to this movie when it first came out. It was weird! This guy kept chasing reindeer around - NAKED!! EW! I was 10! I didn't want to see an old guy's butt! I do not remember this fondly!
  • AcmeFoods
    March 19, 2008
    AcmeFoods
    This is the one movie I would take to a deserted island... with a DVD player and electricity, of course.
  • bluequill
    September 18, 2007
    bluequill
    I was inspired by this story, even though i doubt i could do so well on my own in the Alskan wilderness. It's a great reminder to us all that, despite the roads and commercial buildings and malls, we- humans, people, whatever you like to call us- are and have always been a part ... read moreof the natural world.
  • GodoHell
    March 26, 2007
    GodoHell
    Reading Farley Mowat is better than watching films based on his books, but the films are still pretty darn good.
  • okamiwakko
    March 22, 2007
    okamiwakko
    i really liked this movie. its a great choice for people hoping to have a career in canine biology too. ^_^
  • dutchboydvh
    September 10, 2006
    dutchboydvh
    This is a wonderful film. Farley Mowat is a great writer; i'm waiting to see an adaptation of "The Dog That Wouldn't Be". (Hopefully NOT done by Disney!)
  • justjessica
    September 8, 2006
    justjessica
    Hahaha I was kind of curious to see if this was actually listed as a "movie." I just finished watching it in science class today. It's very... scientific. Unanswered questions at the end, but apparently my teacher knows everything. Anyway, this biologist is CRAZY. UBER NUTS, I'm ... read moretelling you. And I don't particularly enjoy seeing his white bum. Or watching him eat hairy mice.

    But I will say that for this type of movie, whatever THAT is, it was well done. I mean, it was interesting enough to keep me awake, and that is not often easy to do durring my morning classes.

View All Never Cry Wolf Reviews

Critic Reviews

Richard Schickel
March 9, 2009
Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine

Ballard and his masterly crew of film makers have reimagined a corner of the natural world...They leave us awed. Full Review

Ronald Holloway
July 23, 2008
Ronald Holloway, Variety

Measures up to the promise Ballard amply provided in his first feature, The Black Stallion. Full Review

Vincent Canby
August 30, 2004
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Perhaps the best thing about the film is that the wolves are never made to seem like strange but cuddly dogs. They look like wolves, not especially threatening but still remote and complete unto thems... Full Review

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

The film is still memorable for its compassion, commitment, and unexpected humor, qualities that go a long way toward tempering the ecological didacticism of the screenplay. Full Review

Common Sense Media Editors
April 5, 2011
Common Sense Media Editors, Common Sense Media

Suspenseful, poignant wilderness film; a few gross scenes. Full Review

March 9, 2009
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Capturing the changes a man goes through as he learns about life in the wilds, Never Cry Wolf is very informative, but it is Smith's performance that makes the film a resounding success. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
February 14, 2009
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Genuinely affecting nature film with spectacular location shots. Full Review

January 26, 2006
Time Out

For the most part very absorbing, the film suffers from some embarrassingly obvious symbolism. Full Review

James Rocchi
November 7, 2002
James Rocchi, Netflix

A gorgeously shot and smartly written outdoors adventure. Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
September 1, 2002
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

Set in the Arctic wilderness of Canada where a biologist has a mystical experience of oneness with nature. Full Review

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Never Cry Wolf Trivia

  • Name the 1983 movie which was adapted by the book by an amazing Canadian author, Farley Mowat, featuring Brian Dennehy?  Answer »
  • In the Disney film, "Never Cry Wolf," the leading character was studying the behavior of wolves in the arctic, what did he eat?  Answer »
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