El lobo solitario

Fabulous adventure and compelling story make up this rushing masterpiece of the dog / man genre. The simplicity of the story with its ancestral contours perfectly frames the Yugoslav mountain community of the 70s. The animal-man friendship leans towards the boy who arrives to the extreme to save the "beast" so feared by local folklore. Work for the heart that will cheer the spectators.

This movie is a real gem, probably hidden somewhere in a dusty film archive.

I could never understand why good movies are kept in the dark and left for destruction and not restored and re-released. Hey, but maybe that's just me.

OK, I agree, this movie may be old but let me say that even though I've seen this movie years ago it still left me with a deep impression.

It's a story about a boy lost in a world where fear and survival is preserving the human beings while deforming their sense of humanity. In a world affected by the war atrocities, a boy finds a friend, a dog who needed a friend in order to remain man's best friend, for in such moments, the dog, while serving the man becomes as wild and evil as an wolf. Deformed by the war in the same manner a man would have been and remaining alone, without his master, now dead, the dog has become untamed and wild and appearing as an wolf it is considered an wolf, therefore a threat for the animal stock and hunted down.

I hope they are going to release it on DVD and distribute it world wide. Perhaps tastes differ but my advice is: If you get a chance to see this, rented or bought, don't hesitate to do it.

Lone Wolf (1972), known as Vuk samotnjak, is a remarkable piece of Yugoslav cinema, skillfully directed by Obrad Glushcevic. This digitally restored film showcases exceptional picture and sound quality, enabling viewers to fully immerse themselves in the stunning Lika mountain region, the birthplace of Nikola Tesla.

The narrative centers around a touching friendship between a German shepherd, a former military dog abandoned in the mountains after World War II, and a young boy with a deep love for dogs. As the dog becomes more feral, the local villagers mistakenly view it as a menacing wolf threatening their sheep. However, young Ranko, played by Slavko Shtimac, sees beyond the dog's rough demeanor and forms a bond with the misunderstood creature, naming it Hund after the inscription on its collar.

Lone Wolf is an ideal family film that, like a fine wine, improves with age. Its themes of friendship, trust, and empathy are intricately woven into the storyline, making it a timeless classic that appeals to audiences of all generations. The breathtaking visuals of the Lika mountains and the authentic depiction of rural life in the Balkans enhance the film's allure, providing a truly engaging experience.

Under Obrad Glushchevic's skilled direction and featuring outstanding performances from the cast, especially Slavko Shtimac as Ranko, Lone Wolf stands out as a cinematic gem. The digitally restored edition invites a new audience to discover and cherish this poignant tale, which remains as impactful and relevant today as it was at its original release.