Der Gletscherfuchs

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 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.

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 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.

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.