Never Cry Wolf (1983)

100% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
80% of users liked it
(4,778 ratings)

The wolves of the Arctic Circle and its environs, the stunning beauty of a Northern winter, a biologist who braves it all to record the lives of the wolves, and Inuits who save the biologist's hide and share their own wisdom openly are all winners in this film that is a tribute to the skills of… More The wolves of the Arctic Circle and its environs, the stunning beauty of a Northern winter, a biologist who braves it all to record the lives of the wolves, and Inuits who save the biologist's hide and share their own wisdom openly are all winners in this film that is a tribute to the skills of writer and director Carroll Ballard (The Black Stallion). Based on Farley Mowat's autobiographical novel of the same name, Tyler (Charles Martin Smith) is a normal biologist until he gets up into the Arctic winter in order to prove that the caribou herds are not being decimated by wolves; then he becomes a semi-klutz, unable to instinctively adapt to the deep freeze around him. After he sets up his first stake-out, a native Inuit named Oolek (Zachary Ittimangnaq) comes along to help him out and gets him better established in an isolated hut, where Tyler is left to fend for himself again. That he does, but not because he can see in advance what his needs or problems are going to be -- he just comes up against the worst when it happens and works from there. At the same time, Tyler gets to carefully and closely observe a wolf family he has already dubbed as George, Angeline, and the three pups, and he has several comic interactions with his distant "pets." Oolek and his friend Mike (Samson Jorah) drop by to keep Tyler company for awhile, sharing their observations on nature and life in an easy-going, non-committal manner. With Tyler's perseverance and the knowledge gained from experience and through these conversations, the real culprit in the decimation of the caribou turns out not to have four legs at all. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Carroll Ballard
Written By: Farley Mowat, Curtis Hanson
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1983 Wide
On DVD: Feb 22, 2000

Critic Reviews

Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine
Ballard and his masterly crew of film makers have reimagined a corner of the natural world...They leave us awed.
Ronald Holloway, Variety
Measures up to the promise Ballard amply provided in his first feature, The Black Stallion.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
Perhaps the best thing about the film is that the wolves are never made to seem like strange but cuddly dogs. They look like wolves, not especially threatening but still remote and complete unto themselves.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
The film is still memorable for its compassion, commitment, and unexpected humor, qualities that go a long way toward tempering the ecological didacticism of the screenplay.
Common Sense Media Editors, Common Sense Media
Suspenseful, poignant wilderness film; a few gross scenes.
, TV Guide's Movie 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.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Genuinely affecting nature film with spectacular location shots.
, Time Out
For the most part very absorbing, the film suffers from some embarrassingly obvious symbolism.
James Rocchi, Netflix
A gorgeously shot and smartly written outdoors adventure.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Set in the Arctic wilderness of Canada where a biologist has a mystical experience of oneness with nature.
Akiva Gottlieb, Apollo Guide
If you can get past the lack of significant dialogue then you will find a touching tale of one man's journey -- a journey that can teach us all a little bit about ourselves.

Read all 11 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jason V

Never Cry Wolf looks, sounds and feels like a DisneyNature film, for the most part. A desolate location, focus on animals, minimal dialogue...though the movie never quite knows what it wants to be. Initially, there are hints of comedy, then "man against nature" drama, then… More
Never Cry Wolf looks, sounds and feels like a DisneyNature film, for the most part. A desolate location, focus on animals, minimal dialogue...though the movie never quite knows what it wants to be. Initially, there are hints of comedy, then "man against nature" drama, then documentary and so on. By not picking one genre to play in, Never Cry Wolf borders on lacking focus. Charles Martin Smith plays well against the frigid backdrop and the occasional humans he runs into, but this is really about the place and the animals. An episode of Planet Earth is, arguably, more interesting.

Cast

Samson Jorah
as Mike
Hugh Webster
as Drunk
Martha Ittimangnaq
as Ootek's wife

See full cast

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Never Cry Wolf (1983)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Jason V

Cast

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