Nikki is a malamute / wolf hybrid (the narration informs us that he's 1/8th wolf) who's the devoted companion to late 19th century French-Canadian trapper Andre Dupas (Jean Coutu). One day, after they've acquired a black bear cub as a third member of the group, their canoe capsizes in some rapids, and the man and the animals are separated. The bulk of the tale details what happens as Nikki and the cub (dubbed Neewa) form a friendship and survive in the wilderness together.
The novel "Nomads of the North" by James Oliver Curwood (whose writings were also the basis for the 1989 film "The Bear") seems ideal fare for the Disney company, if perhaps a little intense and violent at times for the youngest of children. But there is still very little blood, and there are a steady parade of engaging animal characters (including a mean-tempered grizzly) to keep younger viewers enchanted. Ultimately, the film is one of those appealing tales that either enriches our appreciation for nature, or helps to develops it. The scenery (this was actually filmed in the Canadian wilderness) is as beautiful as one would expect it to be, and the pacing & storytelling pretty succinct. (This only runs an hour and 14 minutes). The final portions, with Nikki forced into a brief bout of dog-fighting, will be uncomfortable for members of the audience.
This does come off as a little cheesy and precious at times (with amusing, genial narration spoken by Jacques Fauteux), so it likely won't be to all tastes, but the animal action is top-notch. The animals are actually more engaging than the human characters, who aren't really fleshed out. All you need to know about trapper Jacques Lebeau (Emile Genest) is that he's a very bad man. Uriel Luft plays Lebeaus' Indian companion Makoki, a much more kind-hearted individual. Nikki himself is simply adorable.
Written by Ralph Wright & producer Winston Hibler, and directed by Jack Couffer (also one of the cinematographers) and Don Haldane. Since the cast members were French-Canadian, they did the dubbing for the French-language version.
Seven out of 10.
The novel "Nomads of the North" by James Oliver Curwood (whose writings were also the basis for the 1989 film "The Bear") seems ideal fare for the Disney company, if perhaps a little intense and violent at times for the youngest of children. But there is still very little blood, and there are a steady parade of engaging animal characters (including a mean-tempered grizzly) to keep younger viewers enchanted. Ultimately, the film is one of those appealing tales that either enriches our appreciation for nature, or helps to develops it. The scenery (this was actually filmed in the Canadian wilderness) is as beautiful as one would expect it to be, and the pacing & storytelling pretty succinct. (This only runs an hour and 14 minutes). The final portions, with Nikki forced into a brief bout of dog-fighting, will be uncomfortable for members of the audience.
This does come off as a little cheesy and precious at times (with amusing, genial narration spoken by Jacques Fauteux), so it likely won't be to all tastes, but the animal action is top-notch. The animals are actually more engaging than the human characters, who aren't really fleshed out. All you need to know about trapper Jacques Lebeau (Emile Genest) is that he's a very bad man. Uriel Luft plays Lebeaus' Indian companion Makoki, a much more kind-hearted individual. Nikki himself is simply adorable.
Written by Ralph Wright & producer Winston Hibler, and directed by Jack Couffer (also one of the cinematographers) and Don Haldane. Since the cast members were French-Canadian, they did the dubbing for the French-language version.
Seven out of 10.