The Call of the Wild

This week’s film centers around a large dog named Buck, whose blissful domestic life comes to a sudden end when he’s abducted and transported to the harsh lands of the Alaskan Yukon during the Gold Rush of the 1890s. He soon joins a mail delivery dog sled team, where the power dynamics among his canine teammates are essential to the teamwork needed to tackle the exhausting and dangerous job.

As Buck earns his place as an essential member of the team, he makes a few enemies on the way, including a mean-spirited prospector who blames the dog for his failure to find riches.

A more playful adaptation of Jack London’s classic novel, Buck’s adventures nicely illustrate several themes, such as how the challenges of life can help us uncover our true selves, and that true leadership is about service to others rather than controlling others through power and fear. The film is rated PG but does include some mild violence.

Runtime: 1 hour, 40 minutes
Rated PG
USCCB Rating: A-II
IMDb Parents Guide
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