Glimmer and stunning adaptation based on real facts about Marcos Rodriguez Pantoja , a lost little boy (Manuel Camacho who was Goya nominated for best new actor) against wildlife and dangerous forests . The movie narrates as a seven-years-old boy named Marcos is sent by his parents (Luisa Martin) to live with an old shepherd ( excellent Sancho Gracia , as usual ). Marcos is attacked by a wolf but later befriends . Along the way Marcos encounters a variety of wood animals, including a complete menagerie, as vultures , deers , boars and wolves . However his shepherd preceptor dies and he remains solitary and abandoned to civilization , but the little boy survives and faces down lots of risks , dangers and adventures . There he lived for twelve years since 1953 to 1965 . His only friends were a ferret and the wolves . Meanwhile , a bounty hunter named Ceferino (Carlos Bardem , Javier Bardem's brother) sets off in pursuit a bandit ( Alex Brendemul) who is helped by Marcos ( a 20-years-old played by Juan Jose Ballesta who has a secondary intervention on the half-hour final ), being also chased by a Guardia Civil sergeant ( Antonio Dechent) .
The story focuses 'the fight of a kid against natural environment' . In the picture there are drama , action ,thrills and riveting landscapes dealing with a valiant boy fighting enemies and wildlife . Fascinating outdoors shot in Sierra Morena , Natural Park of Sierra of Cardeña y Montoro . The highlights of the movie are the wolf pack attacks in ¨Felix Rodriguez De La Fuente¨ style and the survival fight of the young boy . Interpretation of actors is top notch , but especially the veteran Sancho Gracia is frankly well . The supporting cast is formed by important secondaries as a gorgeous Dafne Fernandez , Eduardo Gomez , Luis Martin , and the singer Jose Manuel Soto as the Señorito ; all of them in brief roles . Cinematography by Oscar Duran is awesome , like are reflected on the glimmer and breathtaking scenarios . Sensational musical score with emotive leitmotif by Klaus Badelt who has composed soundtracks for super-productions as Gladiator and Pirates of the Caribbean . The picture is well directed by Gerardo Olivares who is an expert filming documentaries . The flick will appeal to natural sets enthusiasts . Rating: 6,5 . Good, worthwhile seeing