The film deals about a very young man (Ethan Hawke) going to Klondike , Alaska territory , where there's a mine which inherited from his deceased father . There he meets prospectors (Klaus Maria Brandauer and Seymour Cassel) and they go on looking for gold . The protagonist befriends a mixed dog-wolf called ¨White Fang¨ for its white and sharp tooth when he is saved during the attack of a bear . After that , he rescues to White Fang from hands a villainous (James Remar) who utilized it for illegal dogs fighting .
The picture is based on autobiographic life of Jack London , as in his real life was a gold seeker or prospector . Furthermore , there remains the essential elements as the young-dog friendship , the gold rush , spectacular outdoors and snowy locations and several moving scenes . Authentic film stars are the animals , there appear the followings : dogs, wolves , bear and specially ¨White Fang¨ incarnated by a magnificent animal , middle wolf and dog . As says the warning in the beginning of the movie , the animals aren't mistreated but they're well cared by an exceptional trainers group . The best part of film are the spectacular snowy outdoors , the marvelous landscapes are stunningly photographed by Tom Pierce Roberts . The film is wonderfully set in Klondike -Yukon territory- on the end XIX century and was filmed in sensational scenarios and gorgeous landscapes . The movie is a feast for the eyes and ears that captures the adventure feeling as few others have ever done . Ethan Hawke as a young adventurer is nice , he's a newcomer and would have much success later on , converting himself in a world star . Evocative and atmospheric musical score by Basil Poledouris (author of Conan soundtrack) .
The film was one of the various adaptations about Jack London novel , though differs partially from the book (other pictures were directed by David Butler , Lucio Fulci and Italian exploitation) . The movie got an official sequel : ¨White Fang II, myth of the white wolf¨ , though differs significantly from the book , being directed by Ken Olin , starred Scott Bairstow , Alfred Molina and Geoffrey Lewis . The motion picture was rightly directed by Randal Kleiser (Grease) . The flick will appeal to animals enthusiast and adventure cinema fans. Rating : Good and entertaining , it maintains the charm and magic of the classic novel but still makes for decent kiddies amusement .
