At first glance, I couldn't understand why I would be writing the very first IMDb review of this film made for television way back in 1976 until I searched the website under the topic "Call of the Wild" and found no fewer than 50 or so titles with the same name listed above it, including many individual episodes of several tv series through the years. Jack London, the original author of the iconic novel, would be very gratified knowing how many times his one literary source has been filmed. Unfortunately, as a result of so many offshoots, this production did not receive the attention that it should have achieved.
I was surprised to discover the only filming locations on this website as two areas of southeastern Virginia, Brunswick County and Chesterfield, since spectacular mountains covered in snow appear throughout the movie. Other websites list the filming locations as the Teton Mountains in Wyoming and the "Sierra Madre Mountains" without specifying whether the latter range is located in the California or Mexico varieties. In any case, the photography of Matthew Leonetti is very commendable as is the direction of Jerry Jameson. Both men earned extensive credits mostly in the television industry extending from the 1970's well into the twenty first century. The musical score by Peter Matz is excellent and contributes significant drama to the action. James Dickey, the author of "Deliverance", wrote the screenplay.
Unlike other filmed versions of London's novel, this one tells the story as it was originally written through the eyes of the true star, Buck the dog. The narrator is Marvin Miller, whose distinctive voice was instantly recognized by me as that of the host and narrator in the immensely popular 1950's tv show, "The Millionaire". Yes, I'm that old! John Beck does a fine job as the other human star, John Thornton, the young prospector who adopts Buck and shows him kindness for the first time since he was sold to traders by a cruel, selfish, and ignorant employee of the original California estate where he lived a very comfortable existence.
Being a lifelong dog lover, I was immediately captivated by Buck, whose harrowing journey from the cushy estate to a life of hardship and harshness should teach us all very important lessons about the possibilities of drastic reversals in life and the ability to survive under the most difficult of circumstances. Through it all, Buck is able to adapt and eventually to thrive as a welcome member of a Yukon wolf pack. The shots of Buck romping in the wild with his canine relatives are magnificent and spiritually uplifting.
I discovered this film buried deep within my own, personal collection of VCR tapes. I hope that it is available to others because it should not be missed as one of the best films made for television that I have seen.
I was surprised to discover the only filming locations on this website as two areas of southeastern Virginia, Brunswick County and Chesterfield, since spectacular mountains covered in snow appear throughout the movie. Other websites list the filming locations as the Teton Mountains in Wyoming and the "Sierra Madre Mountains" without specifying whether the latter range is located in the California or Mexico varieties. In any case, the photography of Matthew Leonetti is very commendable as is the direction of Jerry Jameson. Both men earned extensive credits mostly in the television industry extending from the 1970's well into the twenty first century. The musical score by Peter Matz is excellent and contributes significant drama to the action. James Dickey, the author of "Deliverance", wrote the screenplay.
Unlike other filmed versions of London's novel, this one tells the story as it was originally written through the eyes of the true star, Buck the dog. The narrator is Marvin Miller, whose distinctive voice was instantly recognized by me as that of the host and narrator in the immensely popular 1950's tv show, "The Millionaire". Yes, I'm that old! John Beck does a fine job as the other human star, John Thornton, the young prospector who adopts Buck and shows him kindness for the first time since he was sold to traders by a cruel, selfish, and ignorant employee of the original California estate where he lived a very comfortable existence.
Being a lifelong dog lover, I was immediately captivated by Buck, whose harrowing journey from the cushy estate to a life of hardship and harshness should teach us all very important lessons about the possibilities of drastic reversals in life and the ability to survive under the most difficult of circumstances. Through it all, Buck is able to adapt and eventually to thrive as a welcome member of a Yukon wolf pack. The shots of Buck romping in the wild with his canine relatives are magnificent and spiritually uplifting.
I discovered this film buried deep within my own, personal collection of VCR tapes. I hope that it is available to others because it should not be missed as one of the best films made for television that I have seen.