A sumptuous visual feast from MGM that makes the most of its rugged outdoor locations,The Wild North (1952) boasts a compelling story, thrilling action set pieces, and a wonderfully hammy performance by Stewart Granger in the lead. Unquestionably a stereotypical guys film from the era; it will entertain those willing to give in to its charms.
The narrative centers around fur trapped Jules Vincent (Stewart Granger); a man comfortable living alone in the Canadian wilderness and adept at coexisting with the elements. He ventures into a town and agrees to transport a Chippewa Indian woman (Cyd Charisse) back to her tribe. They embark in a canoe after Jules reluctantly agrees to bring along burly Max Brody (Howard Petrie) with whom he recently had a drunken brawl. When the canoe arrives upriver it is minus Brody whom Jules accidentally killed after the man panicked while shooting the rapids. Jules flees further north knowing the laws of civilization cannot properly judge his actions which puts dogged Constible Pedley (Wendell Corey) on his trail. For Pedley catching up with Jules is the easy part; transporting his crafty prisoner through the deadly wilderness is quite another matter.
Director Andrew Marton was very adept at directing outdoor adventures and delivers one of his best. The most striking aspect of the film is how it was mostly shot on location (mainly Idaho and Wyoming) with minimal studio scenes. The actors are clearly trudging through snow, riding dog sleds, and performing many scenes in the cold. Compare this film to the 1943 Errol Flynn Canadian outdoor potboiler Northern Pursuit that was shot almost exclusively on sound stages; the sense of realism in The Wild North is a huge advantage. Marton composes two exceptional action sequences; the first being a night time wolf pack attack on Jules and Pedley. This intense scene is foreshadowed for a bit before occurring; it is particularly savage and suspenseful. The climax involving a canoe traversing the boiling rapids is most thrilling even though close shots of Granger and Corey were clearly done in a controlled environment. The segment itself was accomplished for real by a pair of brave stuntmen.
The two antagonists, Jules and Pedley, are solid characters that perfectly compliment one another: Jules is more at home in the wild and follows the rules of nature while Pedley is a by-the-book policeman more interested in completing assignments than making moral judgements. The two men come to respect one another through their adventure and grow as people by the conclusion. Perhaps a bit corny but emotionally satisfying in the context of the film. Of course, the story wouldn't work without the stellar performances of Stewart Granger and Wendell Corey breathing life into the characters.
If would be hard to imagine a more bravo, scenery-chewing hero than Jules Vincent as enacted by Stewart Granger. While it would be simple to ridicule his ridiculously cheesy French accent and broad performance it would sell the actor short to do so. Granger is truly magnificent as a larger than life personality in an infinitely larger, more dangerous Canadian wilderness. He is completely believable as a man living by his own code and keeping interactions with his fellow humans to a minimum. On the opposite end of the emotional spectrum is Wendell Corey as the dour Pedley; a man who would suck the life out of any party. He is also relentless, fair-minded, and a good companion to have in a tight spot. The two men need to rely on their particular strengths to survive their journey back to civilization.
If one is seeking a rugged outdoor adventure from the 1950's The Wild North will satisfy that urge. The film would benefit from a remastering as all the prints I've seen don't do justice to the adventure and spectacular scenery the camera captures. Fans of Stewart Granger will undoubtedly love this performance and rank it among his most entertaining work. Do yourself a favor: grab a mug of hot chocolate, a comfortable blanket, and tune in The Wild North.
The narrative centers around fur trapped Jules Vincent (Stewart Granger); a man comfortable living alone in the Canadian wilderness and adept at coexisting with the elements. He ventures into a town and agrees to transport a Chippewa Indian woman (Cyd Charisse) back to her tribe. They embark in a canoe after Jules reluctantly agrees to bring along burly Max Brody (Howard Petrie) with whom he recently had a drunken brawl. When the canoe arrives upriver it is minus Brody whom Jules accidentally killed after the man panicked while shooting the rapids. Jules flees further north knowing the laws of civilization cannot properly judge his actions which puts dogged Constible Pedley (Wendell Corey) on his trail. For Pedley catching up with Jules is the easy part; transporting his crafty prisoner through the deadly wilderness is quite another matter.
Director Andrew Marton was very adept at directing outdoor adventures and delivers one of his best. The most striking aspect of the film is how it was mostly shot on location (mainly Idaho and Wyoming) with minimal studio scenes. The actors are clearly trudging through snow, riding dog sleds, and performing many scenes in the cold. Compare this film to the 1943 Errol Flynn Canadian outdoor potboiler Northern Pursuit that was shot almost exclusively on sound stages; the sense of realism in The Wild North is a huge advantage. Marton composes two exceptional action sequences; the first being a night time wolf pack attack on Jules and Pedley. This intense scene is foreshadowed for a bit before occurring; it is particularly savage and suspenseful. The climax involving a canoe traversing the boiling rapids is most thrilling even though close shots of Granger and Corey were clearly done in a controlled environment. The segment itself was accomplished for real by a pair of brave stuntmen.
The two antagonists, Jules and Pedley, are solid characters that perfectly compliment one another: Jules is more at home in the wild and follows the rules of nature while Pedley is a by-the-book policeman more interested in completing assignments than making moral judgements. The two men come to respect one another through their adventure and grow as people by the conclusion. Perhaps a bit corny but emotionally satisfying in the context of the film. Of course, the story wouldn't work without the stellar performances of Stewart Granger and Wendell Corey breathing life into the characters.
If would be hard to imagine a more bravo, scenery-chewing hero than Jules Vincent as enacted by Stewart Granger. While it would be simple to ridicule his ridiculously cheesy French accent and broad performance it would sell the actor short to do so. Granger is truly magnificent as a larger than life personality in an infinitely larger, more dangerous Canadian wilderness. He is completely believable as a man living by his own code and keeping interactions with his fellow humans to a minimum. On the opposite end of the emotional spectrum is Wendell Corey as the dour Pedley; a man who would suck the life out of any party. He is also relentless, fair-minded, and a good companion to have in a tight spot. The two men need to rely on their particular strengths to survive their journey back to civilization.
If one is seeking a rugged outdoor adventure from the 1950's The Wild North will satisfy that urge. The film would benefit from a remastering as all the prints I've seen don't do justice to the adventure and spectacular scenery the camera captures. Fans of Stewart Granger will undoubtedly love this performance and rank it among his most entertaining work. Do yourself a favor: grab a mug of hot chocolate, a comfortable blanket, and tune in The Wild North.