I saw this Brad Pitt film yesterday with a friend. It is a classic Man and Dog film, paying homage to the human-animal bond in context of a dramatic survival story.
Brad Pitt is retired Special Forces officer James Belmont, who is camping in Alaska with his retired German Shepherd combat dog, Odin – a tripod who wears a prosthetic leg. As Belmont flies his small plane out of their Alaskan campsite, he suffers a heart attack and crashes the plane. Miles from nowhere, Odin and James start a long trek to civilisation using their honed military skills.
Filmed in New Zealand, it’s well worth seeing the film on the big screen to appreciate our country’s natural beauty. For those watching from elsewhere, the bear and wolves that threaten the main characters are special effects. You can safely come to New Zealand without fear of encountering these wild animals.
One of the best scenes in this film is when James massages Odin’s stump. Managing a tripod means paying a little extra attention to their comfort and mobility – and it shows the care and love he has for his dog.
Also of note – both Belmont and Odin suffer from PTSD with flashback scenes that are confronting. Let’s remember the harm that war does to those who fight it – particularly in these trying times.
You can safely watch this film as a dog lover – Odin doesn’t die which is something you learn in the opening scene. It’s not a relaxing film, however. You’ll be on tenterhooks throughout as Odin and James fight to survive.
For those of you with tripods – Odin’s character helps us celebrate the resilience of these special dogs. And for those of you who are nature lovers, I hope you will travel to New Zealand to see our country firsthand. God knows we need the tourist income!
Kathleen Crisley is Fear-Free certified dog massage therapist and canine fitness trainer. She has a particular passion for working with dogs and their families to ensure injury prevention and quality of life. She specialises in working with anxious and emotionally damaged dogs. Her mobile practice, The Balanced Dog, is based in Christchurch, New Zealand
