Minus the music in some parts, this to me has been the best version I find; it humanizes the traveller the most. He's a smart man who just made a few, albeit, fatal mistakes. Its really great. It deserves restoration and a new soundtrack
I remember watching this my junior year of high school - almost 30 years ago - have thought about it many times since. Re-read the story with 7th graders today.
This film did not exist when I read the story back in Jr. HS. The story had a profound effect on me. I've camped and hunted in some awfully cold conditions and everytime this story comes to mind. He tries to run to camp and the narrator says,"But he lacked the endurance". These words have haunted me ever since whenever I've found myself out alone in the cold. I actually had the ice break under me once while duck hunting one winter. My right leg went into the water almost up to my hip. I found shelter from the wind on the sunny side of and embankment and started a fire. Once dry, I was OK. All the time this story went through my mind. It was cold, but not THAT cold, but I was alone and a good hike from the car. All's well that ends well.
The text says that the dog feels no love for him. It only stays with him out of fear of being whipped and it leaves to the camp (exclusively in search of warmth) as soon as it realizes he's dead
