Customer Reviews

A Cry In The Wild [VHS]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(30)

 

 

"A Cry in the Wild" is a super film! The screenplay closely follows the plot found in Gary Paulsen's "Hatchet." The main character,Brian Robeson,is a kid who quickly is faced with the decision to adapt or perish in the beautiful wilds of the Canadian wilderness. The scenery is breathtaking in this movie. I was caught up with the thought, "What would I do?" The obstacles that Brian faces are demonstrated in a realistic fashion and keep the viewer wondering what is going to happen next. If you like the outdoors, challenges, and the triumph of the human spirit, see this movie!

As a professor of Reading Education, I use the book, Hatchet, and this video to demonstrate to teachers-in training that books and videos can both serve a purpose in the classroom. First we read the book. With undergraduates, I read the book to them, one chapter per day. With graduate students, they read the book on their own. After we've read the book, we do a "compare and contrast" comprehension activity. Students are expected to write notes about how the two media are similar and different. Using an "H" compare and contrast page (one leg of the H is for Hatchet, one for A Cry in the Wild -- the horizontal leg is used for common items in the book and movie). Once students see and hear Paulsen's talent for crafting words, the movie always is ranked as a distant second. The video also illustrates what Hollywood must do to command a person's attention. For the modest price of the video, it's an excellent way to demonstrate to students of all ages, the power of books over video.

This movie is based on the Young Adult novel, Hatchet. It is a good movie to show to students who have read or are reading the book. It is easy to find where it correlates to chapters in the book so you could use just part of the movie for a lesson.

The movie is very true to the book and very realistic.

This movie took you back to the basics of movies without all the new fuddy duddy stuff added to everything you watch. It had believable plots and really nice nature sceens.
It is about a kid who's parents divorced and he is flying to Canada to visit his father. During transit the pilot dies of a heart attack and the plan lands into a large lake in a mountainous region and sinks with all his belongings except the hatchet his mother gave him before he left on his trip. This hatchet was attached to his belt, and it literally saves his life as he uses it remarkably to build shelter and the such. The movie illustrates how he had to survive off the land and to protect himself from preditors (not violent). I do not really recall a lot of bad language or bloody sceens and the only time the kid is unclothed is when they show a glimpse of him diving into the water to bathe. If you like low key movies this one you'll like!

"A Cry in the Wild" is a beautifully orchestrated film. It follows closely the plot based on Gary Paulsen's "Hatchet." I was particularly impressed with the realism demonstrated in this piece. The viewer quickly realizes that the main characer, Brian Robeson, is involved in a life and death struggle to survive in the wilds of Canada. The way Brian finds the will, creativity, and courage to stay the course keeps the viewer glued to his/her seat. The natural beauty of the forest is revealed in all its glory and unforeseen danger. As the story progressed, I was really caught with the thought "What would I do if I was Brian?" If you enjoy realistic, survival-type films, then definitely see this one! It's first-rate.

Apparently a teacher has assigned her students to rip this movie apart in the reviews here, so here's my opinion as a teacher: this movie is a perfectly adequate version of a fantastic novel. There is some swearing, but other than that it is pretty true to the story. Don't let a bunch of whiny sixth graders with a bitter teacher disrupt your movie enjoyment!

Based on the novel, "Hatchet," by Gary Paulsen, this film focuses on a young boy who finds himself in the middle of the Canadian wilderness after a plane crash. With very minimal equipment (his hatchet and Mother Nature), he must do all he can to survive in the wild before help arrives (if it ever does). A Cry in the Wild is basically a standard survival film, but it does have some beautiful scenery throughout. The production value is limited, so it does look very low-budget at times, but it's saved by some impressive camerawork. The minimal music sounds nice, and the film moves along nicely without being too slow or too quick. The performances are unfortunately lackluster: Jared Rushton gives a poor performance as the main character, but I give him credit for at least trying to act. Sue Martin and Meadows give average performances as the parents. Ned Beatty gives a slightly better performance, even if he only has five minutes of screen time.

All in all, A Cry in the Wild is a beautiful-looking film. The natural scenery makes up for some wooden performances in the film. I would still recommend it as a guide on how to survive in the wild.

Grade: 6.2 out of 10

Hatchet vs. Cry In the Wild

We are 6th graders and we just got done reading Hatchet, and watching Cry In the Wild. I would give the movie 3 out of 5. But I would not recommend buying the movie, I would recommend renting it first, because the movie is good but is not great. So don't buy the movie if you don't like the book because the movie is worse than the book.

This movie is not what we thought we were getting. this movie is not showing a picture when you order. It is not about the young boy surviving in the wilderness!!!

I've been looking for this video for years, just never realized it was called "A Cry in the Wild". I bought this to show my 5th grade class after reading "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen (the movie is based on this book). I was a bit disappointed it was so expensive, it's a pretty old movie but must be in demand somewhere!