Against the Wild facts for kids
Against the Wild is an exciting adventure movie from 2013. It's a Canadian film made especially for kids and was released directly to video. The movie was directed by Richard Boddington. It stars young actors like CJ Adams and Erin Pitt, along with Natasha Henstridge and Ted Whittall.
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The Story of Against the Wild
The movie follows a brother and sister, Zach (who is 13) and Hannah (who is 12). They are going through a tough time because their parents are having difficulties. Luckily, they have their amazing dog, Chinook, an Alaskan Malamute. The three of them are a great team and love having fun together.
A Trip into the Wilderness
Zach, Hannah, and Chinook are flying deep into the wilderness. They are going to meet their dad, Robert. He works as a vice president for a mining company.
On the day of their trip, a seaplane picks them up. They say goodbye to their mom. The children are super excited to fly in the small plane. They also enjoy talking to the friendly pilot, Charlie Foster.
The plane flies north, over a huge area of wild nature. Below them, Zach and Hannah see only lakes, rivers, and lots of trees. They are amazed by the beautiful view.
A Dangerous Crash Landing
Suddenly, the plane's engine sputters and then makes a loud bang! Black smoke starts pouring out. Charlie, the pilot, tries hard to keep the plane flying. But his instruments show only bad news. He tells the kids to get ready for a crash landing. The plane flies low, hitting trees before crashing hard onto the ground.
Inside the plane, Zach, Hannah, and Charlie are alive. But they are unconscious from the crash. Chinook, their dog, licks Hannah's face. Hannah wakes up and then shakes her brother, Zach, awake. Zach checks on Charlie, who is alive but moaning. Zach tries the radio, but sparks fly out. The radio is broken.
Zach and Hannah decide they must find help. They gather anything useful from the plane. Then, they set off into the wilderness with Chinook.
The Search Begins
Meanwhile, Robert Wade, the children's father, learns the plane is late. He cannot reach it by radio. A worried Robert tells Susan, the children's mother. Robert then starts to organize a search and rescue mission.
Zach and Hannah walk through the woods. They soon realize they are in more trouble than they thought. They talk about going back to the plane to wait for help. But they are so lost that returning is now impossible.
Robert takes to the sky in his company helicopter. He searches the area where they think the plane went down.
Challenges in the Wild
The children and Chinook find a large cave. They build a fire near the entrance. As Zach and Hannah talk, the fire slowly dies. Chinook hears a strange noise. Something is watching them from inside the cave. Chinook looks into the cave and growls. "What is it, boy?" Zach asks.
Suddenly, something charges towards them! Chinook barks loudly. Hannah screams in fear. A flock of quail flies past them, scaring them a lot. Chinook chases the quail into the woods. Zach and Hannah take deep breaths of relief. Then, Hannah hears something. It's the sound of a distant helicopter. The children run into the woods. They try to get the helicopter's attention with a flashlight. But they are not seen, and the chopper flies away.
In the morning, the children see a high, flat area far away. They decide to make it their goal to reach this high spot. They are sure they will be seen from there.
Growing Impatience and a River Crossing
Robert and Susan become more and more impatient with the rescue efforts. Robert is frustrated with the authorities. Susan is frustrated with her husband. Robert and Susan are told they cannot join the search on foot. They might get lost too. The company helicopter is now broken because of oil leaks.
Zach, Hannah, and Chinook set off again. They walk for hours. Finally, they reach a fast-flowing river they need to cross. The children find an old log that has fallen across the river. They decide to use it to cross. Zach goes first, then Chinook. As Hannah gets halfway across, she slips and falls into the water.
Hannah is swept downstream. She calls out to Zach and Chinook. Finally, Chinook dives in and brings Hannah back to shore. Hannah has hurt her ankle during the ordeal.
Wild Encounters
The children make camp so Hannah can rest and dry off. Zach is collecting firewood with Chinook. Three wolves enter the camp. Hannah tries desperately to keep them away with a stick from the fire. Zach and Chinook soon return to camp. Chinook charges in and faces a wolf. Zach throws his baseball at another. The wolves are driven away.
Hannah cannot walk on her injured ankle. Zach builds a travois, which is like a sled made from sticks. The strong Chinook can pull her through the woods.
A ground search team finally finds the plane's wreckage. Soon, Charlie Foster, barely alive, is taken from an air ambulance to the hospital. He tells Zach and Hannah's father that he doesn't know where the children went. When he woke up, they were gone, leaving only a note.
As the search for the children continues, Robert and Susan grow closer. The difficult situation has brought them together.
Zach and Hannah find a beautiful waterfall with a sparkling stream. Chinook alerts them to salmon in the shallow water. Zach finally catches one with his bare hands after several tries. The children enjoy their meal and spend the night.
Zach and Hannah keep going through the woods. They find a nice spot to rest. A curious raccoon comes from the forest and tries to raid Zach's backpack.
Forest Fire and a Grizzly Bear
Zach and Hannah keep walking. As they reach a high spot, Zach sees smoke rising from the forest. A forest fire is quickly coming towards them.
The children enter a clearing. Chinook stops, raises his ears, and starts to growl. A grizzly bear bursts from the trees. It heads straight for the children and Chinook. Zach and Hannah are frozen with fear. Chinook barks, snaps, and lunges at the bear. The bear stands on its back legs and roars. Chinook does not back down. He keeps bothering the bear. Zach and Hannah run for their lives. They find shelter under a fallen tree. The grizzly doesn't give up and chases them. The bear tries to reach Zach and Hannah through the tree branches. Chinook arrives and bravely bites the bear's paw very hard. The bear limps away in pain. The children are safe and reunite with Chinook.
Meanwhile, back at the search and rescue camp, Robert is told by the captain that the search has been stopped. This is because of the forest fire. A frustrated Robert thinks about his options.
The Final Rescue
The children finally reach the plateau and celebrate their achievement. Hannah and Chinook dance around happily. Zach doesn't realize how close to the edge he is and falls over the side.
Hannah yells down to Zach. He's okay, but he has fallen quite a way and can't get back up. Zach tells Hannah to go get help. But Hannah refuses to leave him. Hannah talks to Chinook, telling him through her tears that he has to find help. Chinook runs off into the woods alone.
Robert and Susan take an ATV (all-terrain vehicle) and start searching on their own.
Chinook runs fast through the woods, through clearings, and over fallen logs. The three wolves he faced earlier are watching him. They start chasing him. The wolves catch up to Chinook. Chinook runs hard and jumps across a deep gorge in a mighty leap. The wolves stop and decide not to follow.
Hannah continues to comfort Zach as he tries to deal with his difficult situation.
Robert and Susan drive their ATV fast through the woods. Suddenly, Chinook bursts from the forest in front of them. Susan yells to Robert, "Follow him!" Chinook leads Robert and Susan back to Hannah and Zach. After a quick reunion, Robert plans Zach's rescue. He uses a rope and harness tied to the ATV. Susan drives the ATV while Hannah tells her mom what her dad says. The whole family works together to save Zach.
Once safely inside the ATV, Robert and Susan tell Zach and Hannah some great news. Their parents have decided not to get divorced. They will all live together as a family again.
Sequel
A sequel to the movie, called Against the Wild 2: Survive the Serengeti, was released in American theaters in February 2016. It was the only Canadian film released in the U.S. that year.
