The Cry of the Black Wolves
(aka DER SCHREI DER SCHWARZEN WöLFE)
English-Language Version:
With: Ron Ely (Bill Robin), Raimund Harmstorf (Jack Harper), Gila von Weitershausen (Frona Williams), Arthur Brauss (Tornado Kid), Angelica Ott (Betty Tayler), Jean-Claude Hoffmann (Jimmy), Hans Terofal (Stumpey), Catharina Conti (Akaena), Karl Lange (Nicholas Morse), Alexander Grill (Forester), Dan van Husen (Joe), Heinrich Schweiger (Sam Jenkins), Kurt Bülau (Ray Murdock), Toni Berger (Mike Williams), Günter Clemens (Tom Lafferty), Karin Lorson (Sara), Untine Fröhlich (Polly), Sigfrit Steiner, Ernst H. Hilbich, Jan Groth
***
Plot Outline: In 1903 Alaska, a good-hearted trapper battles an evil gang of cutthroat robbers to protect a small frontier town and avenge some senseless killings. The townspeople mistakenly accuse Robin of murder, and send a mercenary, Jack Harper, into the wild to bring him to justice. Harper is buried in an avalanche, however, and Robin finds and saves him. After a harrowing wolf attack, the two return to "Happy Camp" to face the Tornado Kid, and the wrath of the townspeople, and head for a final showdown.
***
Black wolves are little in evidence in this affable yet pedestrian frontier adventure which has every B-Western cliche in the book, yet entertains in spite of itself. Many sources (including the packaging on the recent VCI DVD release on a double bill with LEGEND OF BEARHEART) claim that the film is based on an obscure Jack London novel called "The Son of the Wolf," but a cursory glance at the original text of London's story at Gutenberg.Org reveals no similar characters or plot points, other than the wolf attack itself. As well, the film'c credits do not mention Jack London at all, so we maintain that the London connection is unverified.
Ron Ely, TV's Tarzan, is charismatic but nondescript as good guy Bill Robins. His main nemesis, Jack Harper, is played by Raimund Harmstork, trying hard to look like a cross between Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef. The use of expansive location scenery is quite stunning, and the settlement frontier town, hilariously called "Happy Camp," is unncannily realistic, replete with ramshackle huts and mud-bigged roads. However, it is difficult to picture the film as being appropriate for Kiddie Matinees, as it is quite violent, and even contains a good deal of gore, especially in the tragic wolf attack. There is also an abundance of good, old-fashioned, choregraphed fistfights, a staple of any self-respecting Western.
Director Harold Reinl was prolific exploitation filmmaker, with credits crossing many genres, and titles ranging from THE INVISIBLE DR. MABUSE to CASTLE OF THE WALKING DEAD to CHARIOTS OF THE GODS! A most intriguing European adventure curio, whose source remains obscure, in our opinion.
Video/DVD availability: DVD (VIC Entertainment)
Links of related interest:
(1972, West Germany) color 89 minutes
Lisa-Film / Constantin Film / E. Hillebrand
Story: Jack London (inspired by his novel, "The Son of the Wolf") (uncredited, unverified)
Screeplay: Kurt Nachmann
Adapted by Rolf Olsen
Music: Gerhard Heinz
Cinematography: Franz X. Lederle
Editing: Eva Zeyn, Mimi Werkmann
Production Design: Rolf Zehetbauer, Herbert Strabel
Produced by Gunter Eulau
Directed by Harald Reinl
(1974), Albert E. Rook Distribution
complete text of Jack London's "Son of the Wolf" at Gutenberg.Org
