White Fang (1991)

the audience applauded

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS After reading both of Jack London's novels CALL OF THE WILD and WHITE FANG in that order, I felt it necessary to see the film again since I hadn't seen it for years.Expecting nothing but a regurgitated clone of lassie from the mouse house, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the film followed the storyline in its own right (though with some flaws).We start it in the Klondike Gold rush in the Yukon in Canada with Jack Conroy (Ethan Hawke pre-beard) arriving in the Yukon. He joins with a couple of old friends of his father to join in heading for their claim. At the same time, a young wolf cub is being brought up in the wilderness by his mother who, in a sequence concerning Conroy (Hawke) is shot and injured when she tries to lure one of Conroy's friend's dogs away to attack (and undoubtedly eat).And now comes the tarnishing part of the film that is the one part that I loathe and despise. She drags herself back to her cub before dying in front of him and leaving him to fend for himself in the wilderness. It's very frustrating to see Disney resort to the Bambi-esquire cliché of killing off the mummy to tug at the heartstrings, especially since there's no evidence of this in the book, his mother was actually an important character, and not to forget that most of us will have seen it all before! The sequence in the book that this campfire part is based on, was before White Fang was even born, and the gradual growing climax that it built in the Jack London novel is terrifying! (Though I suppose that has no place in a Disney film.) If you intend to read the book, I won't spoil it for you!Afterwards, Conroy comes across the pup in certain circumstances where he has been taken in by the Indians and changes hands to take part in illegal dog-fighting before winding up in the hands of Conroy to rehabilitate him. These plot lines follow fairly accurately to the original London novel, albeit with some deviations, e.g: White Fang's mother was called Kiche and was taken in by the Indians, only to be separated from White Fang when she was sold to another Indian, Jack Conroy never appeared in the book, though he is similar to Weedon Scott's character in the novel.The ending to White Fang was bugged with one or two clichés, in that with a gold claim freshly unearthed and ready to leave for California, he lets him "free" because "he'd be miserable in a city" though White Fang went TO a new urban home later. We're not too sure why Jack decides to stay in the wilderness either, especially when there's a new life as a rich man in California waiting, except for White Fang to return to him and for them to be reunited (as they are) and a possible instinct of this happening, but it's not very well explained.It's also totally different to that of the ending of the book (that ends in California in the same way Call of the Wild starts there), but before I condemn it, I still have some praise for it being not so lassie-esquire to the effect of being nauseating, satisfying in its own right and closing the story nicely.Perplexingly though, the end tacks on a concluding text from the Defenders of Wildlife that says that "JACK LONDON'S White Fang is a work of fiction. There has never been a documented case of a healthy wolf or pack of wolves attacking a human in North America. Because wolves were systematically eliminated throughout most of the United States during our early history and continue to be persecuted today, a nationwide effort is underway to reintroduce wolves into wilderness areas and insure their survival for generations to come." Firstly, White Fang is set in Canada (sorry to be picky but people may still think that wolves have attacked people elsewhere).Secondly, I don't see why the film needs an epilogue like this - it isn't a nature documentary, it's a story! Maybe this is because the film is from 18 years ago when people were more prejudiced about wolves, and though I think wolves are great animals and it is important to protect them, it seems unnecessary to tack this information on at the end!In general, I would recommend this film, whether you've read the book or not. Despite the faults I've listed and the Godawful Bambi-style rubbish, White Fang does have its saving graces. The relationship between Conroy and White Fang is excellently portrayed, and quite poignantly acted by Hawke and Jed the wolf (or wolf-dog, whichever one he falls into). The backdrops of Canada in both Spring and Winter are nothing short of breathtaking, and combined with the settings of the late 19th Century, put us in a real and harsh, but beautiful world that draws you in. If you've read the book, then remember it's Disney and they are liable to changing story material for film-making. Just don't take it too seriously.I wouldn't touch MYTH OF THE WHITE WOLF with a 10 ft fishing pole, though!

A very overlooked film. I saw it on the TV and thought.. wow.. what have I been missing out on? Based on the book by Jack London though not entirely sticking to the storyline. I think that it would have been better if the ending had been how it was in the book. I won't give anything away.. White Fang is a moving story about the lives of a boy, wishing to fulfil his father's dream and an orphaned wolf cub searching for survival. Set within times of the Yukon gold rush. Perhaps not overall suited for young children since there are some disturbing scenes. Not just for wolf/dog fans either. I think that this film should be given a chance. At times, it is tearful others make you want to hug your own dog by your side. Overall, an amazing film that SHOULD NOT be missed!!

My son loved this movie as a child. He was really into wolves. Having read the Jack London book, I was a little bewildered by what they did to the plot. Except for a few names of the characters, there isn't a whole lot of the book in the movie. Putting that aside, I decided to not look at it as an adaptation and view it as an adventure movie. It has a whole lot going for it. I'm not sure where it was filmed, but the scenery is breathtaking. It would make a romantic head north, looking for gold. The characters are fun, especially Klaus Maria Brandauer, whom I've always liked, as the rugged Alex Larson. Ethan Hawke is a little goodie two shoes for his role, but he's OK. The prospectors were right, though. He wouldn't last a day without an experienced partner. The scenes with the wolves are very effective. The most memorable scene is when Jack goes through the water and a corpse, that is being transported to his burial site, goes in with him. There are some excellent scenes with dog fights, bear chases, training the wolf after he is rescued from his persecutors, that work. It's nice when you can have a movie like this that can keep the attention of kids without the usual gross out elements. At times it's a little too antiseptic, but that's fine. We could use a little antiseptic these days.

The film deals about a very young man (Ethan Hawke) going to Klondike , Alaska territory , where there's a mine which inherited from his deceased father . There he meets prospectors (Klaus Maria Brandauer and Seymour Cassel) and they go on looking for gold . The protagonist befriends a mixed dog-wolf called ¨White Fang¨ for its white and sharp tooth when he is saved during the attack of a bear . After that , he rescues to White Fang from hands a villainous (James Remar) who utilized it for illegal dogs fighting . The picture is based on autobiographic life of Jack London , as in his real life was a gold seeker or prospector . Furthermore , there remains the essential elements as the young-dog friendship , the gold rush , spectacular outdoors and snowy locations and several moving scenes . Authentic film stars are the animals , there appear the followings : dogs, wolves , bear and specially ¨White Fang¨ incarnated by a magnificent animal , middle wolf and dog . As says the warning in the beginning of the movie , the animals aren't mistreated but they're well cared by an exceptional trainers group . The best part of film are the spectacular snowy outdoors , the marvelous landscapes are stunningly photographed by Tom Pierce Roberts . The film is wonderfully set in Klondike -Yukon territory- on the end XIX century and was filmed in sensational scenarios and gorgeous landscapes . The movie is a feast for the eyes and ears that captures the adventure feeling as few others have ever done . Ethan Hawke as a young adventurer is nice , he's a newcomer and would have much success later on , converting himself in a world star . Evocative and atmospheric musical score by Basil Poledouris (author of Conan soundtrack) . The film was one of the various adaptations about Jack London novel , though differs partially from the book (other pictures were directed by David Butler , Lucio Fulci and Italian exploitation) . The movie got an official sequel : ¨White Fang II, myth of the white wolf¨ , though differs significantly from the book , being directed by Ken Olin , starred Scott Bairstow , Alfred Molina and Geoffrey Lewis . The motion picture was rightly directed by Randal Kleiser (Grease) . The flick will appeal to animals enthusiast and adventure cinema fans. Rating : Good and entertaining , it maintains the charm and magic of the classic novel but still makes for decent kiddies amusement .