Product Description

ACADEMY AWARD® winner Charlton Heston (Ben-Hur) heads an international cast as John Thornton in this adaptation of the classic novel by Jack London, famed author of The Sea Wolf and White Fang. Government mail carriers Thornton and Pete Smith (Raimund Harmstorf) take mail and supplies across the brutal Yukon wilderness from Skagway to Dawson City during the 1898 Klondike gold rush. An intelligent German Shepherd, Buck is stolen from his beloved owner in California and sold to John as a sled dog, whose loyalty to his new master is tested when John tries his own hand at prospecting. Praised by Leonard Maltin’s Movie & Video Guide for its "striking...scenery," this 1972 version of the family adventure was shot in Norway by Ken Annakin (The Swiss Family Robinson, The Longest Day).

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12946 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-12-17
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 100 minutes

Customer Reviews

Buck realizes his potential
"The Indians in this frozen land tell of a ghost dog which runs at the head of a wolf pack. - They are afraid. For it has more strength than any wolf, more cunning than any dog. No one knows from whence he came or why he stays."

It is summer in California and Buck has it made as the family pet. That is until it is discovered that he was worth his wait in gold or at least $75. He is sold to a broker who will take him to the Klondike where only dogs can do the work usually delegated to horses. There Buck goes through many lives, trials, and tribulations finally realizing his potential. On the way he learns many concepts from surprise, to deceit, and cunning; he also learns loyalty, devotion, and love. As he is growing he feels the call of the wild. And so do we.

Screen Play:
Peter Welbeck
Win Wells
Peter Yeldham

True to the book this film holds nothing back. All the highlights of the original story are portrayed and Charlton Heston has the main character, John Thornton down to a tee. And unlike some Disney versions we see Buck's tribute and love for John.

The Call of the Wild: Annotated and Illustrated

Jack London's Best, Charlton Heston at his best & Buck rounds it all out to be a perfect 5!
This wonderfully naturalistic movie is not for the weak at heart. The story line was taken from Jack London's adventures in his own life experiences. Charlton Heston did an absolutely wonderful job acting out the part, Buck the dog made the entire movie perfect! So this movie more than deserves the 5 stars! This story was taken from the late 1800's during the great gold rush days, hard core times for many men... it's not supposed to be easy on the emotions!

let me explain!
This film is roughly cut, and sloppily done. However, I believe it a a very good film! Heston is excellent, the visuals are excellent, and the picture does a fine job of portraying the Klondike gold rush conditions. Sure, there are slicker jobs out there, but with just a little work, I think this could be fixed nicely. Perhaps someday they could redo this for a better DVD release, add in a bunch of the footage, pretty it up. But until then, this film provides an authentic look at how it must have been, and, Heston is great.