Wolves At Our Door

Wolves At Our Door
by Jim Dutcher

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DVD details

Actor: Richard Kiley
Director: Jim Dutcher
Cinematographer: Jim Dutcher
Producer: Jim Dutcher
Producer: Gaynelle Evans
Writer: Mose Richards
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 50 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2001-06-19
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Family Home Ent

DVD Reviews of Wolves At Our Door

DVD Review: Pretty film - ugly "science"
Summary: 2 Stars

The shots of the wolves and the scenery are truly beautiful. If you are interested in that kind of eye candy, by all means get this movie. Also, if you are interested in rich people messing with wild animals to fulfill selfish dreams of touching nature, this one's for you. If, however, you want to find out about the diverse truths of wolf pack life as it happens to these amazing creatures in the wild, avoid this at all costs. I appreciate that young children enjoy watching the wolves being played with as if they are pets, but in reality, it does neither them nor the wild packs any good, as it glosses over the actual complex issue of wolves in the wild living near human livestock. Let me say that I am an advocate of wolves being restored to their rightful place in N America, but as wolf-positive as this movie is, I cannot recommend it. (For more reasons why, do a websearch for Sawtooth Pack and check out the current controversies on the state of the pack and their caretaking organization.) Or if you do see it, immediately afterwards, read Yellowstone Wolves in the Wild.

DVD Review: Beautiful, controversial film
Summary: 4 Stars

While it's worth keeping in mind the controversy raised by the Dutchers' approach of raising a wolf pack from pups so they'd have no fear of the filmmakers, the results are undeniably powerful, and -- from a public relations standpoint for wolves -- undeniably positive. There aren't any other films I'm aware of that delve as deeply and richly into wolf pack structure and behavior as "Wolves at Our Door" does. Those in the wildlife preservation field may disapprove of Dutcher's methods, and there are definite controversies over some of his decisions regarding the pack, but it's hard for me not to believe that, on the balance, this portrayal of wolves -- the film itself -- didn't do good. For any wolf enthusiast (or just wolf-curious), this is worth seeking out.

While as of this writing the DVD appears to be out of print, there is a book still in print (helpfully available from Amazon as well) written by Jim Dutcher in 2003 which goes into the story in more detail, as well as touching on the story of the Sawtooth Pack after the film at the Wolf Education and Research Center in Winchester, Idaho.

DVD Review: Mixed Emotions
Summary: 3 Stars

I too had mixed emotions concerning this film. This was clearly not scientific investigation or methodology right from the start, however well-intended. I questioned leaving their human scent, and creating non-aggressive, non-threatening bonds with a variety of pack members over an extended period of time.

The propensity to Anthropomorphic thinking was frightening- naming and assigning various human attributes and personality traits to nearly all of the pack. Likewise, the lack of gathering real information that might have enabled future scientists, combined with exposing the pack to humans, makes this pack tainted to the point where future investigation is nearly pointless, except to monitor the long-term negative consequences of the indiscretion.

And yet, the cinematography was astounding, the story was touching and heart-warming, the understanding gleamed was invaluable, despite controversial consequences. The story could easily become a model for the study of aggression, dominance, and social organization. Perhaps the effort was worth it, perhaps not. The makers could have at least acknowledged the dangers of their venture and held themselves accountable, as countless other scientists have done in the past.

Maybe the harm will be undone with time, as the pack diverges and memories fade, or worse, maybe this pattern of film making will be admired and emulated by many young minds to come. I am sadly reminded of treasure hunters who take extraordinary efforts to lead us to fantastic sites, only to destroy the evidence and the wealth of information it might have provided for the future.

If this seems over-critical, then ask yourself what was the price paid for this film, and who did it ultimately benefit? In the end, these wary wolves are smarter than we give them credit for, they have survived us many times over by adapting... that is the magic, and the glory of their legend.

Tom Gore, B.S., Sociology/Cultural Anthropology.

DVD Review: COMPLETELY UNETHICAL
Summary: 1 Stars

This movie sets conservation issues back decades. The filmmakers are not scientists, yet present themselves as such. They give names to these wild animals, and habituate them and treat them as pets. None of the previous reviewers thought to ask themselves if this were actually beneficial for the wolves.

As a wildlife rehabilitator, I can tell you it is not. Now those wolves have become habituated to people. As they roam free throughout the woods to hunt, did the filmmakers ever think that there would be some humans out there who would harm or kill these wolves if approached by them? I would like to know what became of this pack after these selfish opportunists moved on. I am willing to bet that at least one of them was killed as a result of a human-wildlife conflict gone awry: a conflict that would not have occured if these people had not systematically destroyed the wolves' natural fear of people. Its self-righteous attitudes like those of these filmmakers that are contributing to, not preventing, the destruction of wildlife.

Instead, watch "Never Cry Wolf" to see a poignant depiction of how it is possible to love wildlife to death.

DVD Review: Heartfelt Documentary
Summary: 5 Stars

I also adopted one of the Sawtooth Pack wolves when I was younger, Weyekin. I thought she seemed a lot like me, shy but sensitive. I tried to assign the names of the pack wolves to all of my friends. One was Matsi, another Amani, and another Kamots. OK, I was a little obsessed. But the bottom line is, this movie is a must-see for any wolf enthusiast, especially one interested in the Sawtooth pack. You can find updates about the wolves at The Pack Site.
This is a truly touching and breathtaking movie!

Description of Wolves At Our Door

Who's afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? Not Jim and Jamie Dutcher. Raising a pack of gray wolves from puppies, they were able to film their growth, development, and changing behavior. Wolves at Our Door, the sequel to Wolf: Return of a Legend, explores these beautiful animals as they live in America's Northwest. Excellent footage captures the wolves playing with each other and with the Dutchers and allows us a glimpse into another world, one that's not so scary after all. You're sure to see these marvelous beasts differently after watching Wolves at Our Door. --Rob Lightner

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