Who doesn’t love a heartwarming story of a boy and his wolf?
From the vault of Disney classics, Flight of the Grey Wolf, currently available on DVD, was originally developed for the Wonderful World of Disney television series in 1976.
The backbone of the film is the great storytelling that was the hallmark of all the projects developed by Walt Disney.
While the made-for-tv movie was produced many years after Disney's death, one of his favorite cinematic themes was the Romantic Age ideal of the relationship between man and nature. Picking up where his uncle left off, producer Roy Edward Disney finds gold in this story of a wolf that is twice betrayed and twice saved by humans.
Going the Distance
Grey, the wolf that Russ Hanson (Jeff East) has raised from babyhood is involved in a deadly fight that causes the frightened animal to go on the run. A misunderstanding leads the authorities to go on a manhunt that nearly kills both man and beast. Determined to help his innocent friend, Russ takes Grey into the wilderness to escape death or captivity.
Pursued by the armed posse, Russ and Grey use their wits to foil their enemies, find food, and brave the elements.
Initially, Russ is unsure about their final destination. After much deliberation, he makes the heartbreaking decision that Grey should return to the wild and live with other wolves.
While the Disney critics might bemoan an inevitable ending (reminder - look at how things turned out for Old Yeller), the plot twists and turns are suspenseful and far from predictable.
Scenic Wonders
The major plot points certainly move the story along at a commendable pace, but the sweeping cinematography nearly steals the show.
One of the most exciting aspects of the film is the documentary-style footage that features the animals in their natural habitat. Two of the most stunning sequences involve a wolf giving birth and a fight scene between a pack of wolves and a bear.
The acting is on par with the photography in one particular instance.
With all due respect to the two-legged actors in the film, the most incredible thespian turn in the project is done by none other than the wolf himself. Whether he is feigning an injury, exhibiting tenaciousness, or even projecting fear and recrimination, Grey the Wolf never gives an on-camera performance that is anything less than Oscar-worthy. (The name of the animal wrangler was not available on IMDB).
DVD Release
Animal and nature lovers will certainly enjoy this solid family drama that is wearing its age well after more than thirty years since the original television premiere.
(In an interesting bit of trivia courtesy of Internet Movie Database, between 1972 and 1976, Disney was the only Hollywood studio that regularly made money on its movies.)
Flight of the Grey Wolf. DVD Edition. Dir. Frank Zuniga. Perf. Jeff East, Bill Williams, Barbara Hale. Walt Disney Productions, 1976. Running Time: 82 min. No bonus footage.
Teresa Wentz - Teresa Wentz holds a Master of Media Arts degree from the University of South Carolina. She has worked in various fields in the film ...
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