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Never Cry Wolf

Play trailer Poster for Never Cry Wolf PG 1983 1h 46m Adventure Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 17 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Research scientist Tyler (Charles Martin Smith) is sent to the desolate Canadian tundra to find out whether the local wolf population is responsible for decimating Canada's caribou herds. Helped by Ootek (Zachary Ittimangnaq), a local Inuit native, Farley manages to establish an observation post and, while braving the harsh climate, begins to study a family of wolves, as well as the caribou. He eventually determines that the greatest danger to the caribou doesn't move on four legs.
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Never Cry Wolf

Critics Reviews

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Richard Schickel TIME Magazine Mar 9, 2009
Ballard and his masterly crew of film makers have reimagined a corner of the natural world...They leave us awed. Go to Full Review Ronald Holloway Variety Jul 23, 2008
Measures up to the promise Ballard amply provided in his first feature, The Black Stallion. Go to Full Review Vincent Canby New York Times Aug 30, 2004
3.5/5
Perhaps the best thing about the film is that the wolves are never made to seem like strange but cuddly dogs. They look like wolves, not especially threatening but still remote and complete unto themselves. Go to Full Review Octavi Marti El Pais (Spain) Feb 6, 2020
A splendid movie because of the quality and strength of its images as well as the tone of the story. [Full Review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Common Sense Media Editors Common Sense Media Apr 5, 2011
4/5
Suspenseful, poignant wilderness film; a few gross scenes. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Feb 14, 2009
A-
Genuinely affecting nature film with spectacular location shots. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad 1 day ago Never Cry Wolf is a *4.5* star Movie! See more Wade A @RT79289835 Oct 29, 2025 What a masterpiece of cinematography and sound and performances and on and on and on. So glad this movie exists. See more Per S @RT83737705 Sep 29, 2025 One of a kind - a strange masterpiece! See more Joseph T @WildWestern Aug 10, 2025 A crisp breath of fresh air. The wonder and aww of nature Tranquil, meditative and immersive. And in all honesty, Carol Ballard, director of Never Cry Wolf, I would recommend his entire filmography for anyone who enjoys nature’s beauty and intelligence. See more David A @RT69662000 Sep 24, 2024 Wonderfully done, and a interesting subject…Great casting… See more Rick M @RT28141542 Aug 26, 2024 Educational, profound, and poetic. See more Read all reviews
Never Cry Wolf

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Cast & Crew

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Carroll Ballard

Director

Charles Martin Smith

Farley Mowat

Brian Dennehy

Rosie

Zachary Ittimangnaq

Ootek

Samson Jorah

Mike

Hugh Webster

Drunk

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Never Cry Wolf

Never Cry Wolf (1983) Never Cry Wolf (1983) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Research scientist Tyler (Charles Martin Smith) is sent to the desolate Canadian tundra to find out whether the local wolf population is responsible for decimating Canada's caribou herds. Helped by Ootek (Zachary Ittimangnaq), a local Inuit native, Farley manages to establish an observation post and, while braving the harsh climate, begins to study a family of wolves, as well as the caribou. He eventually determines that the greatest danger to the caribou doesn't move on four legs.
Director
Carroll Ballard
Producer
Lewis M. Allen, Jack Couffer, Joseph Strick
Screenwriter
Curtis Hanson, Sam Hamm, Richard Kletter
Production Co
Walt Disney Pictures
Rating
PG
Genre
Adventure, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 14, 1983, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2014
Runtime
1h 46m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo
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