User Reviews

I recommend families if possible,to show this to older children only.Some of the stuff in this film maybe too disturbing for little ones to handle.Now that thats out of the way,let me explain about this movie.This is in reality a documentary of a male fox,who in the beginning is protecting his territory and seeking a mate.The beginning with the gorgeous sunrise and music score,is breath taking.You had better soak in as much of the scenery as possible,it'll get ugly later.They gave both the fox and the vixen names,but I can't remember what they are for the likes of me.He fights off this invading male,to win her love.They later on create a den,and the vixen gives birth to four adorable cubs;one of which is blind.There are many happy and playful moments featuring the fox family,but tragedy and bad luck strike all too soon.The first victim is the blind pup,who gets too close to a high tide and is washed away.The second victim is the mother,who while stealing chickens is deceived by a dead chicken hanging on a pole.She unknowingly walks into a foot trap.While trying to escape she rips off part of her foot,causing her to bleed to death.The rest of the fox family is forced to watch her die under a tree.The male is now a single dad,forced to take on the roll of mom and dad.He alone has to teach them the skills they need for life.It later proves not to be enough,when two of the now grown pups meet an ugly fate of their own; thanks to the carelessness and cruelity of man.I won't spoil the surprising ending for you,but it does show the farmer and his dogs close on his tail.And it is a well deserved ending after what the audience and the fox family was put through.I wanted to say that I saw this when it first came out in early 1980s, when we had a thing called Showbiz cable.I was only 4 when I saw it,but I could never understand why they wouldn't let me see all of it.Now I know why,after I secretly watched it when it came on Disney,when I was 9.I felt emotionally gutted after seeing all this evil going on.I was moved to tears.But as dark and ugly as it was,it serves a purpose.To let people what is going to these and other kinds of animals,and why they are endangered.This documentary wanted to get the message across about this endangered species,and I hoped it worked.Its not fake like the True life nature films by Disney,they don't teach about why animals are going extinct.The encroachment of land,the killing off of the foxes main prey,and senseless killing of these beautiful animals;has resulted in them becoming endangered.I wish they would make sequel to this movie,(Glacier Fox 2005)to see if they're being treated better.Maybe have it be about a vixen pup named Teresa and her siblings growing up.This movie also kind of reflects what happens to human families sometimes,especially when one of the parents suddenly dies.The surviving parent takes on the roll of both,and tries to teach the important lessons of life.It isn't always enough to protect them when they're adults,especially when some of their lives becomes ruined.Or they fall victims to tragedy themselves.Best all around soundtrack and musical score I've ever heard.

I saw this movie when I was little - It was called "Glacier Fox". I was totally traumatized by it! It follows a cute little fox family around. The beginning was great and I remember becoming very attached to the little foxes. I also remember my mother carrying me out of the theater while I was in hysterics. I won't tell you what happened, but let's just say it doesn't end well for all of the foxes. I was used to Disney type nature films where the animals don't REALLY die. Oh man. This movie made me cry for hours. It was a good movie...I think - I was really little and truth be told -all I remember is being happy for the foxes and then seeing one of them die. Rent it if you can, but don't show your kids!

I remember watching this semi documentary as a kid and being drawn into the world of Flep, his mate Layla, and their kits who had names such as Serica, Roosum, Nuphrey, etc. Some of their kits make it while others don't. The saddest was the blind little kit who got taken away by the breakers while he was sitting on the beach, oblivious to the danger before him. While I won't spoil the ending, please bring a box of Kleenex.

Besides the storyline, there are memorable, moving songs and a wise old tree who tells the story. I can still recall some of those songs all these years later.

Hopefully it will be shown again for a newer generation to enjoy.

I saw this movie as a child, and it really moved me. I would love to be able to show it to my children, but I can't find it anywhere. This is a shame; as I recall, it was incredible. I still remember one of the songs and all the emotions, the joys and sorrows, associated with this fox family.

The movie follows a fox family through several seasons, depicting the realities of living on this hear earth, holding nothing back. It's on par with the book, Where the Red Fern Grows, only the good and the bad are intermixed, and overall the movie ends on a positive note. Life, after all, goes on.

I saw The Glacier Fox in the theatre when I was nine years old - I bugged my parents to take me back three times. I began looking for it on video about five years ago, finally uncovering a copy on an online auction site, but I would love to see it either picked up by a new distributor and rereleased (I understand the original video run was small), or have the rights purchased by The Family Channel, Disney, etc. and shown regularly. It is a fascinating film that draws you into the story of the life struggle of a family of foxes in northern Japan, narrated by a wise old tree. The excellent soundtrack compliments the film well. It would be a good seller today, better than many of the weak offerings to children's movies today.

Glacier Fox is one of the most heartrending and wonderfully photographed wildlife films ever made.

The film makes you care about each member of this fox family, from the blind cub to the strongest - their adventures are at times hilarious and also tragic. Set against an inhospitable countryside, the audience's hearts warm to the family members.

The music score and lyrics tell the story intercut with narration about what is happening in general terms.

Man remains one of the biggest predators, but we are left in no doubt that the foxes are capable of living, not just surviving beyond human endeavours.

I have been looking for this movie for so many years. I saw this move when I was nine and loved this movie. I called Disney all the movie stores and the net. No luck. What a waste it was a very good movie. It will be missed:(

I was reminded about this film recently. Don't let young children watch. Years ago it was marketed as this great, fun film about animals, however, most of them die tragically. Not appropriate for young children.

I first discovered this gem on The Disney Channel by accident back in 1984, and wish more than anything that I had owned a VCR at the time so I could have taped it. It was once out on home video and I hear even won an award for its special presentation, but is apparently now on moratorium...I BEG somebody to please re-release it, even if it isn't in stereo if you do! Basically, it's a semi-documentary of a family of foxes...I say "semi" because it has a story attached to it and very believably so...charmingly narrated and with genuinely catchy, fun original songs composed just for it, plus a GORGEOUS orchestral score. A lovely little sleeper which does a great job of catching the wonder and majesty of not just foxes, but nature in particular and is guaranteed to be dearly loved by anyone who loves animals, even if they aren't particularly nuts by "documentary" films. It may even make you shed a tear or two in some spots. I wish more than anything that it will be re-released.

This is an excellent movie for adults and children. It is about real life, which children need to see now more than ever. Preventing children from learning what nature does - is a disservice to say the least. Without real world knowledge, children grow up with a backwards mind, thinking the world owes them a living, everything can be a utopia, nothing can ever die, mankind is responsible for everything bad, big government is best, on and on foolishness like that. This movie just shows how nature is more powerful and mighty than man can ever be. Man is not the enemy here. As some would have you think. So don't be brainwashed like the left. People need to return to common sense and logic of years ago. Stories like Old Yeller and such teach children correctly. So throw away modern books and movies that lie constantly to your kids. Buy old movies and books for real life accuracy. And monitor what your kids are taught by the public schools. Many of them if not all are indoctrinating your beloved kids into mindless puppets of the government. Stay away from Scholastic publishing too. Over the years they have also been hijacked by the sick ideologues of progressive liberals. This is a great movie for all. Beautiful music that will give you more compassion in your heart than you would ever need. A loving picture with substance that touches your very soul. Conservatives will love this movie the most, because of their good hearts. Just make sure you bring tissues.

I saw this movie a long time ago. It is such a sweet movie. I wish somebody would release it on video because I would love to see it again. It is one of the best nature shows I have ever seen. The way the relationships between the foxes are depicted is so sweet, and the scenery is gorgeous.

I watched this movie when I was almost quite a kid, and, naturally, was moved to tears by this story of a fox family. The fantastic scenery at Hokkaidô, the excellent storytelling and last not least the wonderful soundtrack provide a rare intimacy with the protagonists. I am still searching for some copy of the gorgeous soundtrack. To German viewers it might be useful to know that the DEFA-dubbing is the only one worth listening to. I taped both (DEFA and BR) but I keep viewing the first one only.