Old Dude, Old Movies - "Eskimo"

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0023990/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

This is a fascinating movie. I will watch it again.

Released in 1933, it was quite the sensation. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer went on location to Alaska in 1932 to film much of this movie, and it shows. The environment was at once enticing and forbidding. In addition, it received the first-ever Academy Award for Best Film Editing (1933). According to Wikipedia, "it was the first motion picture to be filmed in an all native language (Inupiat)". The subtitles, along with the expressive actors, tell the story magnificently. In toto, this was a well-put-together movie, and worth all the accolades it received.

Mala (aka Ray Mala, birth name Ray Wise) is the star. He's the leader of a tribe living on the tundra of Canada's Northwest Territories. Mala is the strongest, bravest and wisest of all the men of his tribe. The other men admire him and the ladies think he's just dreamy. He's such a skilled hunter, his whole tribe benefits (and even eats year-round) from his skill and determination.

One day, one of his fellow tribesmen comes back from a long trip bearing strange items. Seems this tribesman has encountered "white men" from a whaling ship, and the tribesman swapped furs for man-made items like a gun and sewing needles. Others in the tribe are fascinated by the bounty, and urge Mala to make a formal contact with the strangers. Initial meetings go well, with good will flowing between the two groups.

Time goes on, and men from the ship and tribe combine forces to go whaling, with Mala as one of the leaders of the combined work force. As Mala is off working, danger lurks at home base. Events take place that set off distrust and eventually latent racism between the two groups. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police get involved. The ending is elegant, but tinged with sadness.

The cinematography is stunning, for any time. The scenes where the indigenous tribesmen are hunting (walrus, whale, polar bear, caribou) are amazing for their realism and clarity. One scene where Malu takes on an Arctic wolf single-handedly is as raw as the elements surrounding him. The panoramic views of the land, especially in winter, are almost overwhelming in their sheer scope.

Look for the acclaimed director W.S. "Woody" Van Dyke (the "Thin Man" series) in a rare acting role as the RCMP inspector whose by-the-book demeanor pushes the conflict to the inevitable conclusion.

Yeah, it was released 80 years ago. It's still a great movie. Check it out.

Oh, yeah - almost forgot. Check out the use of "Night on Bald Mountain" as well. Very nice.