The Call of the Wild (1975)

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).

Call of the Wild

Great adaptation of the Jack London classic novel. I just love Charleton Heston in this role. He looks liek the rugged kind of man you would see in Alaska back then and even now. June 18, 2008

JACK LONDON'S CALL OF THE WILD

If you like Jack London's The Call of The Wild, then you'll probably love this internationally cast, (dubbed, save Charlston Heston) and earnest adaptation of the classic fiction with shanghied german shepherd, Buck, sold into the 19th Century Yukon dog trade, where he finds guidance and companionship in dog sled mail rider, John, (Heston). What appears to be a small budget for the film, does remarkably well in capturing the crude and bawdy Yukon gold rush boom towns, and the genuinely wintery and snowy northern wilderness. The film pulls no punches in delivering the violent aspects of the book, (the dog trade is crude and ugly), and animal star, Buck, (as himself, the credits say), would make Lassie proud. January 12, 2007

Call of the Wiid (C. Heston)

I see there have been some negative views on this particular film on which I disagree. Of the many remakes following after, I have to say, this one is the best of the bunch. I guess I'm a Charlton Heston fan die-hard. I simply like the man; think I've seen most of what he has done. In his acting--can't say a bad thing about him.
I've been waiting for this movie to come out on DVD for the longest time, so why haven't I gotten it yet? Guess I'm waiting for the right time. At the moment, the price seems to be right. Perhaps after the New Year, that will be the right time. There are a couple of other movies I'd like to get first.
Call of the Wild is a classic people. I guess I just was brought up right---to appreciate the 'films of yesteryear',---like my mother. She appreciated them too. And she did have a few favorites. And I share some of those favorites, but this one--no. This one's just for me, dispite the it's somewhat an oldie, sort of--in a way, from my point of view.
But in Call of the Wild, it really isn't Heston that's the star, it's the dog who potrays Buck. He's the one who more or less, 'runs away with show/bone', so to speak. Early on in the film, Buck feet bleeds and is made booties until he can take the pace. And after a while Buck prooves he can stand on his own; his love for John is unyielding. Between man & dog, it is a powerful story; what a man won't do for a dog and what a dog won't do for a man. Food for thought.

P.A. Gross December 30, 2006

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! November 26, 2006

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 June 10, 2006

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