I watched "Nikki" (1961) and "Benji the Hunted" (1987) back-to-back today, and since there are not enough things to say about those two films in two separate reviews, it's better to compare them in one. They have very similar storylines (a dog tries to survive in the wilderness) and they are both primarily aimed at kids, but the quality levels differ: "Nikki" (**1/2) is a simple, straightforward, adventurous, well-made Disney tale, while "Benji the Hunted" (*1/2) is a sleep-inducing one. Voice-over narration is often regarded as an annoying gimmick, but the narrator in "Nikki" has a very pleasant voice and agreeable material to work with, while "Benji" omits the narration entirely and replaces it with an obtrusive, often inappropriate music score. In short, "Nikki" is much better.
11 Reviews
Great kids' movie - SPOILER
OmegaWolf74719 June 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I remember loving to watch this movie on Wonderful World of Disney as a kid. It's about a malamute puppy who becomes separated from his master. He befriends an orphaned bear cub named Neewah and the two are together for about a year. After Neewah starts hibernating, Nikki is very lonely and seeks out the companionship of wolves, but is rejected.
I thought it was a very dramatic movie for being about an animal. It shows how a dog passes through the hands of two masters, one kind and one cruel. How easily trust can be shattered and how things must be put right again. The friendship between the dog and the bear was great too because they had to compromise in such things as diet and sleeping position.
I'd definitely recommend this movie for a kid I loved, especially one who loves dogs.
I thought it was a very dramatic movie for being about an animal. It shows how a dog passes through the hands of two masters, one kind and one cruel. How easily trust can be shattered and how things must be put right again. The friendship between the dog and the bear was great too because they had to compromise in such things as diet and sleeping position.
I'd definitely recommend this movie for a kid I loved, especially one who loves dogs.
Underrated Disney live action dog adventure movie
skotzilla5 May 2007
Warning: Spoilers
This movie is based on "Nomads of the North" by James Oliver Curwood, who also wrote "King Grizzly", which was made into the movie "The Bear".
Nikki, a malamute that's 1/8 wolf, and his kind fur trapper owner encounter an orphaned bear cub. The cub and puppy initially don't get along. An overturned canoe separates them, while tethered together, from their master, and they set out on their own in a "Defiant Ones" sequence that shows their different approaches to survival in the wild. The puppy wants to hunt critters, but can't catch any due to the cub stubbornly anchoring the other end of the tether. The cub tears into a rotten tree stump to get at a beehive, but the puppy runs away after getting stung, dragging the cub along with him. The cub climbs a tree to sleep, resulting in the puppy trying to snooze with his rear end slung a foot off the ground. After a number of weeks they escape their tether and become friends, until the bear hibernates, and Nikki heads out on his own. Over a year or so, he grows up, gets into scuffles with a wolverine, and tries to join a wolf pack who let him know violently that he's not welcome. Eventually Nikki gets captured by an evil fur trader who beats him into an aggressive pit fighting dog. At the movie's end, his original owner confronts a snarling bloodthirsty Nikki, but both eventually recognize each other, and resume their friendly travels.
NOTE - there are many fights in this movie: bear vs bear, Nikki vs wolverine, wolverine vs lynx, Nikki vs wild wolves, Nikki vs wolf-dog, and even good fur trader vs bad fur trader, and a number of "dead" animals are shown. An Indian is treated in typically poor 60's cinematic fashion as well, although he is shown as noble and smart, becoming a companion to Nikki and the good fur trader at the end.
All -in -all though, this is a Disney dog movie that deserves to be a little better remembered. The DVD I saw was put out by a company named Anchor Bay, and not Disney, so there were no extra features at all. This, combined with Disney's "Alaska Sled Dog" from 1957 would make a good Disney DVD package.
Nikki, a malamute that's 1/8 wolf, and his kind fur trapper owner encounter an orphaned bear cub. The cub and puppy initially don't get along. An overturned canoe separates them, while tethered together, from their master, and they set out on their own in a "Defiant Ones" sequence that shows their different approaches to survival in the wild. The puppy wants to hunt critters, but can't catch any due to the cub stubbornly anchoring the other end of the tether. The cub tears into a rotten tree stump to get at a beehive, but the puppy runs away after getting stung, dragging the cub along with him. The cub climbs a tree to sleep, resulting in the puppy trying to snooze with his rear end slung a foot off the ground. After a number of weeks they escape their tether and become friends, until the bear hibernates, and Nikki heads out on his own. Over a year or so, he grows up, gets into scuffles with a wolverine, and tries to join a wolf pack who let him know violently that he's not welcome. Eventually Nikki gets captured by an evil fur trader who beats him into an aggressive pit fighting dog. At the movie's end, his original owner confronts a snarling bloodthirsty Nikki, but both eventually recognize each other, and resume their friendly travels.
NOTE - there are many fights in this movie: bear vs bear, Nikki vs wolverine, wolverine vs lynx, Nikki vs wild wolves, Nikki vs wolf-dog, and even good fur trader vs bad fur trader, and a number of "dead" animals are shown. An Indian is treated in typically poor 60's cinematic fashion as well, although he is shown as noble and smart, becoming a companion to Nikki and the good fur trader at the end.
All -in -all though, this is a Disney dog movie that deserves to be a little better remembered. The DVD I saw was put out by a company named Anchor Bay, and not Disney, so there were no extra features at all. This, combined with Disney's "Alaska Sled Dog" from 1957 would make a good Disney DVD package.
An endearing Disney film.
Hey_Sweden23 June 2019
Nikki is a malamute / wolf hybrid (the narration informs us that he's 1/8th wolf) who's the devoted companion to late 19th century French-Canadian trapper Andre Dupas (Jean Coutu). One day, after they've acquired a black bear cub as a third member of the group, their canoe capsizes in some rapids, and the man and the animals are separated. The bulk of the tale details what happens as Nikki and the cub (dubbed Neewa) form a friendship and survive in the wilderness together.
The novel "Nomads of the North" by James Oliver Curwood (whose writings were also the basis for the 1989 film "The Bear") seems ideal fare for the Disney company, if perhaps a little intense and violent at times for the youngest of children. But there is still very little blood, and there are a steady parade of engaging animal characters (including a mean-tempered grizzly) to keep younger viewers enchanted. Ultimately, the film is one of those appealing tales that either enriches our appreciation for nature, or helps to develops it. The scenery (this was actually filmed in the Canadian wilderness) is as beautiful as one would expect it to be, and the pacing & storytelling pretty succinct. (This only runs an hour and 14 minutes). The final portions, with Nikki forced into a brief bout of dog-fighting, will be uncomfortable for members of the audience.
This does come off as a little cheesy and precious at times (with amusing, genial narration spoken by Jacques Fauteux), so it likely won't be to all tastes, but the animal action is top-notch. The animals are actually more engaging than the human characters, who aren't really fleshed out. All you need to know about trapper Jacques Lebeau (Emile Genest) is that he's a very bad man. Uriel Luft plays Lebeaus' Indian companion Makoki, a much more kind-hearted individual. Nikki himself is simply adorable.
Written by Ralph Wright & producer Winston Hibler, and directed by Jack Couffer (also one of the cinematographers) and Don Haldane. Since the cast members were French-Canadian, they did the dubbing for the French-language version.
Seven out of 10.
The novel "Nomads of the North" by James Oliver Curwood (whose writings were also the basis for the 1989 film "The Bear") seems ideal fare for the Disney company, if perhaps a little intense and violent at times for the youngest of children. But there is still very little blood, and there are a steady parade of engaging animal characters (including a mean-tempered grizzly) to keep younger viewers enchanted. Ultimately, the film is one of those appealing tales that either enriches our appreciation for nature, or helps to develops it. The scenery (this was actually filmed in the Canadian wilderness) is as beautiful as one would expect it to be, and the pacing & storytelling pretty succinct. (This only runs an hour and 14 minutes). The final portions, with Nikki forced into a brief bout of dog-fighting, will be uncomfortable for members of the audience.
This does come off as a little cheesy and precious at times (with amusing, genial narration spoken by Jacques Fauteux), so it likely won't be to all tastes, but the animal action is top-notch. The animals are actually more engaging than the human characters, who aren't really fleshed out. All you need to know about trapper Jacques Lebeau (Emile Genest) is that he's a very bad man. Uriel Luft plays Lebeaus' Indian companion Makoki, a much more kind-hearted individual. Nikki himself is simply adorable.
Written by Ralph Wright & producer Winston Hibler, and directed by Jack Couffer (also one of the cinematographers) and Don Haldane. Since the cast members were French-Canadian, they did the dubbing for the French-language version.
Seven out of 10.
"It seemed for a moment the friendship would be renewed...but the moment passed."
moonspinner5516 September 2017
Scripted nature film from Walt Disney seamlessly mixes wildlife footage with the engrossing, entertaining story of Nikki, a Malamute dog (1/8 wolf) separated from his owner in the Canadian Rockies after rescuing an orphaned bear cub up a tree. The unlikely bond between dog and bear survives different methods of sleeping and hunting for an amusing effect (the film is very careful not to dwell on the carcasses). But when winter comes and the bear must hibernate, Nikki forges off alone and is nabbed by a trapper who wants to use him for dog fighting. The animals are marvelous, though the cinematographers (all five of them, including William W. Bacon III, Lloyd Beebe, Ray Jewell, Donald Wilder and Jack Couffer, who also co-directed) are the stars this time. Jacques Fauteux provides a warm and funny narration, and Oliver Wallace's background score is very lively. The different types of film used is noticeable on occasion, and the speed is played with (slowed down or sped up) a few times; otherwise, a first-rate family product from the studio, one with the requisite tug at the heart at the finish line. *** from ****
An entertaining nature film with a story
Figaro-813 April 2000
One thing can be said about Disney in the 50s and 60s, and that is it put out some great films with animal stars, from the True-Life Adventure series to "Old Yeller" and others. This film combines a True-Life filmmaking approach with a good adventure story, and the result is entertaining family fare. The Malamute and the bear cub are adorable! Both adventure and nature commentary are shown, combined with gorgeous on-location photography (filmed in Canada) and a nice music score.
A Typical Disney Nature Story
atlasmb10 March 2016
'Nikki, Wild Dog of the North" is a live action animal film typical of the Disney studios in the sixties. Its stars are a dog that is part wolf (Nikki) and a bear, who grow up together. This is a story that feels like a Jack London tale, full of adventure and celebrating the natural world.
The filmmakers impose their story on some real action sequences and, probably, also stage their animal "stars" to conform to the desired story. A voice over is used to pull the parts of the story together and to provide human interpretations of animal behaviors. This anthropomorphism, while a large part of what makes the film enjoyable for some, trades in common misconceptions of animals and furthers inaccurate beliefs about animal psychology. When the narrator says the dog feels certain emotions or make judgments based upon rational decisions, it obscures the real nature of the animal.
While children will find much of the story adorable and engaging, they should be disabused of the conceit that the animals have thought processes like humans. Besides, it is not necessary for dogs to think and feel like humans for them to be good companions.
While the interactions between some of the animals usually can be explained by the filmmakers imposing their story on natural behavior, one has to wonder about the scenes involving the dog and a wolverine or the dog and some rats. Were any animals harmed in the making of this film or were animals put in harm's way?
In the end, there are some incredibly beautiful scenes of nature, including towering mountains and lovely blue waters in all seasons. And the values inherent in this film are kindness and respect for life.
The filmmakers impose their story on some real action sequences and, probably, also stage their animal "stars" to conform to the desired story. A voice over is used to pull the parts of the story together and to provide human interpretations of animal behaviors. This anthropomorphism, while a large part of what makes the film enjoyable for some, trades in common misconceptions of animals and furthers inaccurate beliefs about animal psychology. When the narrator says the dog feels certain emotions or make judgments based upon rational decisions, it obscures the real nature of the animal.
While children will find much of the story adorable and engaging, they should be disabused of the conceit that the animals have thought processes like humans. Besides, it is not necessary for dogs to think and feel like humans for them to be good companions.
While the interactions between some of the animals usually can be explained by the filmmakers imposing their story on natural behavior, one has to wonder about the scenes involving the dog and a wolverine or the dog and some rats. Were any animals harmed in the making of this film or were animals put in harm's way?
In the end, there are some incredibly beautiful scenes of nature, including towering mountains and lovely blue waters in all seasons. And the values inherent in this film are kindness and respect for life.
It's a solid family-film.
Audrey-212 February 1999
I know most people think the Disney live-action movies of the 1960s were a rather pathetic bunch, made only to cash in on the organization's name...but if that's true, how do you explain their appeal? -Nikki- is a perfectly good film, with some amazing scenes of interaction between a Malamute pup and a bear cub. The setting--northern Canada--is lovely enough to captivate people, and of course it's a nice flick to show to your kids. One word of caution: some of the people portrayed in the "mining town" are a rowdy bunch, so you might want to wait 'til the kids are over 5 before you show 'em...just in case they start asking questions. (Don't worry, it's *rated* "G".)
Okay, but best suited for kids
Wizard-87 May 2016
"Nikki, Wild Dog of the North" was an interesting hybrid of a movie made while Walt Disney was still alive, though not the first time Disney made such a hybrid. It is a cross between one of Disney's True Life documentaries with a fictional narrative. The end results are somewhat mixed. There is some nice scenery, a breezy narrative, and the footage of animals in action is interesting - especially since some of the stuff the animals are put through would probably cause an outcry by the SPCA and animal lovers today. The human side of the movie is somewhat less successful, with human characters that are stereotyped at best and downright goofy at their worst. The narration is overbearing and pretentious at times as well. All of this results in a movie that is probably best for younger children, though older children and their parents will probably find it bearable if they can't find anything better to watch.
Good though I have better recommendations
ranieri716 April 2023
One thing that stands out in this film is the beautiful Canadian scenery. The river - so blue! Then you add mountains, trees, and when it snows - its just stunning beauty. A cute little story as well, though not Disney's best, that centers on the adventures of a dog that loses his owner. If you liked this, you may want to check out Ten Who Dared which I found a little more entertaining adventure (about men traversing the Colorado - although all brown!). I also preferred Disney's White Wilderness as a little better overall. While not a gripping story, it is entertaining enough and is the kind of movie families should watch more of these days.
Questionable animal welfare
r96sk3 July 2020
More of a documentary than a film.
The premise, or at least the stuff that holds it together, to 'Nikki, Wild Dog of the North' is rather light; particularly for the first and second acts, the third has a little more meat on the bones.
There's also extremely questionable animal welfare, a lot of it could be trained but it's difficult not to be cynical with some of the stuff you see - especially across the opening twenty minutes. It affected my enjoyment, way more than a few other Disney films with similar issues.
Cast-wise it's almost non-existent, Jean Coutu and Émile Genest are solid as Andre and Jacques respectively. Jacques Fauteux narrates the film, he is arguably the only good part to this - his delivery is near perfect.
I can't honestly say I liked this as I simply didn't, the animal stuff alongside the weak plot makes for uninteresting viewing. Each to their own, as always.
The premise, or at least the stuff that holds it together, to 'Nikki, Wild Dog of the North' is rather light; particularly for the first and second acts, the third has a little more meat on the bones.
There's also extremely questionable animal welfare, a lot of it could be trained but it's difficult not to be cynical with some of the stuff you see - especially across the opening twenty minutes. It affected my enjoyment, way more than a few other Disney films with similar issues.
Cast-wise it's almost non-existent, Jean Coutu and Émile Genest are solid as Andre and Jacques respectively. Jacques Fauteux narrates the film, he is arguably the only good part to this - his delivery is near perfect.
I can't honestly say I liked this as I simply didn't, the animal stuff alongside the weak plot makes for uninteresting viewing. Each to their own, as always.
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