While I’ve never done movie marketing, I feel strongly that this Disney trailer for Never Cry Wolf doesn’t sell the movie well.
So I guess it’s up to me to convince you that it’s worth your while to watch it.
I’ve considered this to be among my favorite films since I first saw it in the 1980s. Part of the attraction is the main character, Tyler, who reminds me a little of a favorite uncle… and a little of myself. There are those of us who will resonate with Tyler’s introverted thoughtfulness. He’s one of those people who quietly observes the world, “a watcher of things” as he calls himself. Anyone who has felt as if they were “always watching others do and feel things I wouldn’t or couldn’t do myself” will identify with Tyler.
But my love for the movie goes far beyond the main character. Never Cry Wolf is every bit as visually stunning as director Carroll Ballard’s first feature film, The Black Stallion. Viewers are treated to sweeping shots of the arctic wilderness and, of course, lots of footage of wolves. Mark Isham’s score is a perfect match for the cinematography; it’s a shame that there isn’t even a snippet of his music in the trailer. Fortunately, the composer has shared his score on SoundCloud. Listen to the second track to hear how he managed to musically capture the essence of wolves’ howls.
The trailer does capture a little of the humor in the movie, although there are far better scenes than Tyler throwing crates of toilet paper out of a plane in an attempt to lighten the load. The movie isn’t a comedy, but like the book on which it’s based, it contains several comic moments. Perhaps it’s best that Disney didn’t share some of the funnier scenes; it means they’ll surprise you.
According to IMDB, one of the movie’s taglines is “A true story.” The quibble I hear most often about both the movie and Farley Mowat’s book by the same name is that the story isn’t particularly true. In 1973, a decade after the book’s publication, Mowat wrote that “it is my practice never to allow facts to interfere with truth.” I understand what he means. Stories that are not factually accurate can convey the truth. Mowat also said that Never Cry Wolf had started as a satire about bureaucracy, but “the wolf took the book right out of my hands.” Still, because there are people who feel misled, I wish the book had been published as fiction.
Continuing scientific research has revealed that some of the things Mowat thought were true about wolves aren’t so. None of this changes the value of Never Cry Wolf in fostering a love of and appreciation for nature, including wolves. For this alone, the movie is worth watching.
Never Cry Wolf is easy to find. Disney offers it on demand, and you can also purchase the DVD, get it through Netflix or, perhaps, borrow it through your local library. Hunt it down and take the time to enjoy it. Like me, you may decide that it’s among your favorite movies.
2 replies on “Something Wonderful: Never Cry Wolf”
One of your favorite uncles thanks you for being noted as such. Enjoyed the piece as I also like films more than just a little. I think
I recall Gene Shalit, years ago, writing a piece criticizing Disney studios for giving a wrong impression of animals in some of their film work (I can’t say that of this one as I haven’t seen it) in the long haul – romanticizing animals in some ways that leave children and adults (those of more urban environments) unacquainted with a more realistic view of wildlife. Different from earlier times when we all lived closer to Nature.
Indeed, both the movie and the book tend to romanticize the wolves. That said, it is a beautiful movie, and I believe that it does good in teaching that there is more to love than to fear about wolves.