Never Cry Wolf

PG

Released Oct 14, 1983

1h 46m

Adventure

Drama

List

100%

19 Reviews

Tomatometer

84%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Research scientist Tyler (Charles Martin Smith) is sent to the desolate Canadian tundra to find out whether the local wolf population is responsible for decimating Canada's caribou herds. Helped by Ootek (Zachary Ittimangnaq), a local Inuit native, Farley manages to establish an observation post and, while braving the harsh climate, begins to study a family of wolves, as well as the caribou. He eventually determines that the greatest danger to the caribou doesn't move on four legs.

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Audience Member

Director Carol Ballard and Walt Disney Pictures presents a true story of a man exploring the vast wilderness to find real culprits not just animals Caribou herds used to be in the millions but the numbers have dwindled down The Lupine Project is then initiated having someone do research to determine if wolves are the actual cause of caribou going extinct A research scientist named Tyler Henry Fowat goes into the Canadian tundra Ootek is a local Inuit native who assists him, he sets up an observation post But the elements prove to be challenging while studying a family of wolves as well as caribou The greatest threat to the species might not be the wolves themselves The Canadian landscapes are breathtaking, Charles Martin Smith makes for a terrific lead, and much of this is filmed pretty much like a nature documentary Although it's hard to buy it as a harmless Disney film Maybe less man nudity would've helped I mean really But the story shows even a man from the modern world can fall in love with one not so keen to such proclivities We can also learn a bit about ourselves in the process

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/09/23

Full Review

Mikey P

A thoughtful character study of inner strength challenged by impossible odds.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

Jonathan C

This is an extraordinary movie. It has everything - drama, comedy, tragedy, combined with minimalist dialogue, amazing cinematography, an exquisite score, and deeper levels to ponder. A film to savour and re-watch. I have seen it perhaps twenty times since its theatrical release, and it never palls. Probably my all round favourite movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/30/22

Full Review

Audience Member

What an utterly confusing movie. I heard about this movie from a friend, however I didn't hear much about it. It has very strange scenes in it, however nothing about it feels off. It's a good, albeit a bit old, movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I love nature and the Wolves in this Movie. I also like the Character that is studying the wolves as well.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

r 9

Almost loved it. The first 45 minutes of 'Never Cry Wolf' are terrific, I enjoyed how they set everything up - I was very much intrigued. Unfortunately, for the next 15-30 mins events kinda plateaued, before eventually ending in underwhelming fashion. I would be rating this higher if it had been a 70-85 minute run time, that would've been perfect. I will say, from start-to-finish, the film is superb visually. Charles Martin Smith is very good as Tyler, he also does a grand job with the narration; the dialogue for which is excellent. This is a lot better than Disney's other wild animal style productions, this is probably what they were aiming for in the likes of 'The Legend of Lobo' etc. It just ends, at least for me, in a disappointing manner. With that stated, it still rounds off to be classed as a film I liked - just with a hint of what could've been.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Carroll Ballard

Director

Charles Martin Smith

Farley Mowat

Brian Dennehy

Rosie

Zachary Ittimangnaq

Ootek

Samson Jorah

Mike

Curtis Hanson

Screenwriter

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Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

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

Mar 9, 2009

Full Review

Ronald Holloway

Variety

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

Jul 23, 2008

Full Review

Time Out

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

Jan 26, 2006

Full Review

Octavi Marti

El Pais (Spain)

A splendid movie because of the quality and strength of its images as well as the tone of the story. [Full Review in Spanish]

Feb 6, 2020

Full Review

Common Sense Media Editors

Common Sense Media

Suspenseful, poignant wilderness film; a few gross scenes.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 5, 2011

Full Review

TV 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.

Rated: 3.5/4

Mar 9, 2009

Full Review

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Synopsis

Research scientist Tyler (Charles Martin Smith) is sent to the desolate Canadian tundra to find out whether the local wolf population is responsible for decimating Canada's caribou herds. Helped by Ootek (Zachary Ittimangnaq), a local Inuit native, Farley manages to establish an observation post and, while braving the harsh climate, begins to study a family of wolves, as well as the caribou. He eventually determines that the greatest danger to the caribou doesn't move on four legs.

Director: Carroll Ballard
Producer: Ron Miller
Screenwriter: Curtis Hanson, Sam Hamm, Richard Kletter
Production Co: Walt Disney Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Adventure, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 14, 1983, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2014
Runtime: 1h 46m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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