There are so many great tales of dogs who did heroic things, and one of those is easily Balto. For some, their first introduction to the story was the 1995 animated film.
Balto is one of those films you either watched as a kid or have no idea what it is. If you haven't watched it, then you're in for a real treat. The film follows Balto, a dog who is half-wolf and can't seem to figure out his place in the world. Things change when Balto ends up becoming a part of the team that is getting medicine to cure the kids infected with Diphtheria.
Aside from being an action-packed tale, it feature so much adventure and plenty of tense moments, making it a great one for both kids and adults alike. Balto also feels like a coming-of-age tale for the titular character. Even though he's a dog, he ends up realizing his worth throughout the film which is something he struggles with during the film.
If you're not entirely convinced, though, this film has so many merits. The voice cast includes the likes of Kevin Bacon, who voices Balto, Phil Collins, Bob Hoskins, and Bridget Fonda. As you can see, the cast was full of so much talent, but it ended up being a box-office bomb. The film was up against the titan of Toy Story, which was also released in 1995.
1995's Balto has some undeniable merits.
While the story is true, Balto is just loosely based on that. If you're curious, you can find more info here but this gives you an idea: "As the lead dog for the final stretch of the 674-mile journey, Balto captured the world’s attention, becoming famous as a symbol of the courage, endurance, and the many paws and hands that contributed to this amazing feat." As you can see, Balto's legacy goes beyond the animated film.
The one thing you might be curious about is if Balto is streaming. Frankly, that's one of the major questions if you're looking to rewatch or have the little ones in your life watch it. The sad news is that Balto isn't currently on streaming. That's one of the most disappointing things about some of those films we know and love.
No matter how you feel about the film, it's incredibly underrated, so if you're able to find it on DVD or want to rent it, you're in for a real treat with Balto.