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Balto (1995)

Director: Simon Wells

Average user rating
3 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

The true story of a 1925 sled team's 'serum run' across Alaska, and its husky hero Balto. Whereas Disney would have pillaged the facts for its own exacting purposes, the makers of this half-hearted animated feature let the story ramble on with a minimum of second-hand plotting and characterisation. Balto being the archetypal dog-from-the-wrong-side-of-the-tracks, when diphtheria strikes Nome, his services aren't required for the team that must fetch the life-saving anti-toxin. Injustice is compounded by the team being led by the pure-breed Steele, vain, scheming, town favourite and Balto's rival for the beautiful Jenna. The one notable spin on the story is that Balto's half-wolf. As you'd expect, we start with the old boy having internalised prejudices about his lack of pedigree; only when he's stuck down a canyon does he realise the advantages of his make-up. Mismatched TV-standard animation styles (plus some one-dimensional live action inserts); a Hoskins-voiced Russian émigré goose (fun); and a pair of comic-relief polar bears (Collins-voiced, and not fun). Probably insufficient for any but the least demanding kids.

Author: NB 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Time Out Film Guide

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User reviews of this film

  • Hyena said...
    Posted on Dec 16 2007 11:14 This little known film is a real winner in the world of animated films. No cheesy songs, no retarded jokes and no immaturity, Ignore the critics and watch it. I like it more than some so-called 'Disney Classics.'
    Report as inappropriate
  • blueeyedwolf said...
    Posted on Nov 10 2007 11:59 i adore this film its a must see. Vicki its not a disney film
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  • Vicki said...
    Posted on Sep 14 2007 12:35 this film is wkd!!! luv Disney!!!
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Cast & crew

Director: Simon Wells

Producer: Steven Hickner

Cast: Miriam Margolyes, Bob Hoskins, Bridget Fonda, Phil Collins, Jim Cummings, Donald Sinden, Lola Bates-Campbell, Kevin Bacon full cast

Duration: 77 mins


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