zoodlepepsee

I've read a lot of comments that defend this movie on the fact that it is meant to be fiction and does not need to be historically accurate but then why is it still such a "Groaner". Fiction is a great genre but still requires a form of believability that this film utterly lacks. It presumes it's audience as very simple minded. (are you?) The movie showed early promise in the build up to a mammoth hunt but when we are asked to believe that a prehistoric tribe hunting with stick's, rocks and bones could pick and choose who would perform the actual kill ("piercing of the heart" as they called it) of such a powerful beast. Humph.. Hollywood would rather feed you their formulated ONE man hero story than to pay even the slightest attention to anything realistic or believable. The hunters (as a group) would be very lucky to even kill a mammoth without some being killed themselves. Hello, go try to kill a rampaging bull elephant with a stick..lol After this the groans and disappointments come repeatedly.

If you like an over-simplified story that follows the rigid Hollywood recipe of leading man/hero unrealistically conquers overwhelming odds/ gets beautiful girl/ demonstrates magical fantasy idealism/ leaves you feeling very uninspired,then see this.

Rule one of fiction writing. The best fiction first "convinces" realism!!.

I would simply say that this is an engaging and creative film. As another reviewer said it is refreshing and is non-formula following, which in my opinion adds to the score of any movie. I enjoyed it very much and while it's true that some scenes look a little cheesy, it is almost unnoticeable given that the acting and storyline are very good. People who give a movie like this a poor review shouldn't be reviewing movie's because it suggests that they "don't get it" where good movie-making is concerned. Perhaps they prefer the common tired out prescribed formula type scripts that this is not.. I liked very much that we were not expected to like the main characters just because they were the so called good guys (American). They came across as real and war traumatized trying to deal with an unimaginable situation, to which they do "not" always measure up. (Like some phony assed John Wayne Hollywood garb). See this movie!!

An acceptable story line about two orphaned kids who reluctantly accept the assistance of a nice guy gambler on the run from past misfortune. Through trials and dangers a bond is formed between these likable characters. I rate this movie high simply for the good feeling you get watching it. Some of the animal scenes are completely unrealistic (a grizzly outdone by everyone including a few kids) but this seems to be the norm with these types of movies. It's also my peeve in the Genre but one must be capable of a more emotional response to fully appreciate what is being said in a film like this. Cue the imagination. What the movie gives up in "believability", regarding the animal scenes, it more than makes up for in filming locations. I was surprised to see the Peyto lake scenes as this is a very rugged and remote area of Alberta to shoot. Some real hiking may have been necessary for these shots but they are spectacular. A few good stunts; like a man and cougar fall from a cliff, add to the appeal. Overall, this is "feel good" 70's movie material.