To Build a Fire (1969)

Too Literal an Interpretation; You Should Read the Original First (and That's Not Long)

This 56-minute film is, according to the video, 'Jack London's short story, narrated by Orson Wells and filmed with complete fidelity to London's graphic narrative' and 'could be called a screen short story in its purest form.' It is certain that the film follows the original story faithfully, but the effects of watching the filmed story is not the same as the feeling you might get while reading this well-known story.

The events described are identical to those in London's original. A man is travelling among the Alaskan wilderness with his dog. As Orson Wells's solemn voiceover suggests, this man is perhaps unprepared for the climate. At first, things look easy, but as his toes get numb because of the temperature and the traps the nature provided, to build a fire finally becomes a matter of life and death.

The original short story is, if I remember correctly, written from the viewpoint of the man. The sentences are about how he feels, not how he looks. The film, on the other hand, is about how he does look on screen, and the feelings of the traveller are explained by the acting (of the actor Ian Hogg) and the narration of Orson Wells (who, as you know, scared the people by his fake announcement about the killing Martians). His narration is very good, but you might think, if we have his good narration, why should we watch the screen? A taperecorder will do.

I don't have complaint about the film itself, but I still cannot understand why this film should be made. Chilly experience and the struggle for survival are here, to be true, but you must read Jack London's story (before or after watching the film) to really start to care the severe situations of this traveller. Otherwise, you might find it pretty dull to see a middle-aged man slowly, very slowly frozen.

The film is like reading a Cliff Note; you understand what happens in the tale, but it remains true that you don't feel anything without actually reading the tale. (By the way, does someone know anything about the film itself? Some say it's made in 1969 while others not, and director's name on the jacket is David Cobham while the film is credited to another person at other places. Did anyone see it in theater?)
August 15, 2005

To Build A Fire

I was very impressed with this movie. After reading, and re-reading this wonderful Jack London short story for years, I just heard it was made into a movie and I placed an order to have it overnighted to me. I watched it as soon as FED-EX delivered it, and I was riveted to it from the beginning to the end. I loved hearing Orson Welles voice as he narrated the movie. The period dress and scenery was perfect, just as I had imagined it in my head all the years as I read the story. I watched it with my 14 year old son, and he loved it also. Those who have spent time in the wilderness and in the bitter cold as I have will identify with the movie. I give it a 5 out of 5, and I will rewatch it many times I am sure. I highly recommend !. February 22, 2005

To Build a Fire

"To Build a Fire" was one of the most boring movies we've ever seen. The movie was drawn out and could have been completed in fifteen minutes. Throughout the movie, the man had a bitter and cocky attitude. He was ungrateful to his only companion, his dog. The dog could have helped him live longer with his nature-like instinct. Although he built a couple of fires, they were not sufficient in temperatures that cold. The dog could have shared its body heat with the man by lying on the man's feet after he fell into the water. But the man's arrogance caused his own death in the end. The dog found his way to camp with his instincts. All and all, we give this "flick" two thumbs way down. February 7, 2005

Up in Flames

Building a fire under this movie would be beneficial to us all. It followed Jack London's "To Build a Fire" well, but showed a poor portrayl of someone in the Yukon. After reliezing the temperature was seventy-five degrees below zero, the man knew it was dangerous to be outside in such cold conditions. Falling through the frozen spring made him relieze taht he needed to build a fire as soon as possible or death would meet hi,. If the man would have paid more attention to his dog's instincts, he may have beateb the blistering weather and survived. All in all, the slow-moving pace made us want to throw the video into the fireplace! January 30, 2005

To Build A Fire Narrated By Orson Welles

I recently read the story "To Build A Fire," written by Jack London. I found it to be interesting and eventful. However, the movie, narrated, by Orson Wells was terrible. It did not receive five stars in my opinion. Many times a movie that is based on a book adds and subtracts scenes, in this movie some scenes would've been better left out.
The story line consists of a man hiking the Yukon Trail with his dog, Pepper. The man, who never is given a name, doesn't listen to the "old timer" often referred to, and decides to hike in seventy-five degrees below zero temperatures without a partner. The man overcomes many difficulties along the trip, but doesn't survive do to the outstanding weather and his wet feet.
The movie was uneventful. Many times I found my mind wandering back to the story and reading it in my head instead of watching the film. The excitement that can be read in 20 minutes isn't mean to be made into an hour movie. The story has a wonderful plot with a lesson to be learned. However, I do not recommend this movie to anyone due to the monotonous nature of it. Although, I give the story five stars and I hope you will take a few minutes to read it.
January 27, 2005

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