Balto (1995) - full transcript

A half-wolf, half-husky named Balto gets a chance to become a hero when an outbreak of diphtheria threatens the children of Nome, Alaska in the winter of 1925. He leads a dog team on a 600-mile trip across the Alaskan wilderness to get medical supplies. The film is based on a true story which inspired the Iditarod dog sled race.

Well, it was here... someplace.

But we've already been past here.

The trees have grown so big.

It's been so long
since my last visit.

Come on. Blaze.

Grandma, when was
the last time you were here?

Years and years ago.

Way before you were born, sweetheart.

Oh, look! Blaze found a squirrel.

Now, just a minute.
I'm trying to get my bearings.

Oh, there are so many paths here.



So easy to get turned around.
Come on, darling.

Grandma,
we're in the middle of nowhere!

We're right in the middle
of New York City!

You'll make yourself tired
walking so long.

Nonsense. It hasn't been
more than a quarter of an hour.

Not much further.

Blaze is getting tired.

Oh, I see!

Grandma,
what are we looking for anyway?

Uh, a memorial.

A me... - what?

A reminder of a wonderful story...

and a place very far away from here.

What place is that. Grandma?



Nome, Alaska.

It's a small town
almost on top of the world.

Hmm.

Now, that really was
in the middle of nowhere, sweetheart.

In the cold winter of 1925,

it was snowing hard.

Back then, the fastest and most
reliable way of getting around

was with teams of dogs
pulling long sleds.

Races were held every year
to find out the best team.

And the competition
was very fierce.

Mush!

Gee up, boy.

Giddap, Steele! Giddap, giddap!

Steele! Whoa! Whoa!

Steele, we're not gonna make it!

- Easy, now! Easy!
- Steele, hold back!

Ohh! Steele!

Get in line, Steele!

Get in line!

Mush! Mush!

It's the three-mile marker.

Balto,
get your slobbering mouth off me!

Let's go, Boris. We'll get around back
and catch the end of the race.

Oh, no. No, no, no.
I'm a delicate country bird.

I hate going into town.

Ah, come on.
What's the worst that can happen?

Please! Aah!

Why do I let you talk me
into these things?

What the... ?! Eeeh!

Bring that back, you thief!

- You are putting me down now, Mr Golden Retriever?
- Whatever you say, Boris.

Every time there's a race,
you run around like you're in it.

- Maybe one day I will be.
- Heel, boy!

Boris Goosinoff is no spring chicken.

I'm no spring penguin, either!

Oy, it's cold!

Look! The two-mile mark.

Come on! We don't wanna miss the finish.

Oh, that would be a tragedy.

I was being sarcastic.

OK, you can open your eyes now.

I love these runners!
I love this brush bow!

I love this sled!
Jenna, you're lead dog!

OK, just a minute. Come on. Mush!

Then you'll need... this.

A real musher's hat!
We're a real sled team now!

Mush!

Mister Johanssen,
the sled is beautiful.

- We're very grateful.
- Oh, thank you!

- Rosy's grateful too, huh?
- So I gather!

- Watch this!
- Coming, sweetheart.

I don't know, honey, maybe we
should've gotten her the doll house!

It's the one-mile marker.

Mush, Jenna, mush!
Let's win this race!

I think she'll learn to like it!

Jenna. Easy, girl.

Good morning, Jenna. Oughta be
a close race, don't you think?

Maybe even neck and... neck.

Say something about her new collar
before she gets whiplash.

Urn, Dixie, what a pretty collar.
Is it new?

What? This old thing?

Yeah. Do you think,
urn, Steele will notice?

I'm afraid the only way Steele notices
anyone is if they're wearing a mirror.

They're comin'!

- Steele!
- You can do it!

Jenna! Stay, girl!

That's some dog!

Jenna!

Hold on. Come on, Steele!

Oh, no!

My hat!

- It's that stray dog!
- He's gonna ruin the race!

Hey! Outta my way, lobo.

When will you learn
to stay on the sidelines?

To Juneau Daily Chronicle. Stop.

Steele wins first race
of season. Stop.

Three-time winner keeps
Golden Collar. Stop. Nome. Stop.

That Steele is some dog, huh, Morris?

Congratulations there, boss, there.

It was a pleasure
runnin' behind youse.

Of course, the view got monotonous.

You are the most amazing, the most exalted,
the most pre-eminent, the most top of...

You won!

I don't know.
You think maybe Steele is losing his edge?

Yeah, looks like just about any dog
could outrun him.

What a crazy thing to do
just to show off to a pretty girl!

I'm sure Jenna would love
to have you on her team.

- Hey! Rosy! Stay away from him!
- Dad!

He might bite you, honey.
He's part wolf.

Now you've hurt his feelings.

Come on now.

Congratulations, Steele.

Ladies.

- Hi, there, Jenna. Enjoy the race?
- Yeah.

- Almost as much as you did.
- Thanks.

Jenna, let's go celebrate. I know
where all the bones are buried.

I don't know.
Suddenly, I've lost my appetite.

Well, maybe your taste
runs more toward... wolf.

Jenna! Come on, girl.
We're going back home.

Sorry, Steele.
My girl is calling me.

On the other hand.

my girl is away
at boarding school.

Jenna!

Jenna, I, uh...

- Jenna.
- Jen! Come on!

Jenna! Come here, girl.

Balto, there's some things
I can't do for you.

Yeah.

I'm goose, not Cupid.

Didn't make the team... Bingo?

Don't listen to him or look at him.
Live a long life.

My name's Balto.

But you can call him "idiot"!

I'm sorry. Balto.
Balto the half-breed.

Hey, goose,
you a half-breed too, huh?

- Part turkey?
- Waa-hah-hah!

Good wordplay there, boss.

You are the wittiest, the quickest.

You are the drollest, the cleverest,
the sharpest, the most hilarious...

You crack me up!

Steele. Just leave him out of this.

Oh, Balto, I've got a message
for your mother.

Hi, Mom!

Balto, translate this for me...

What's wolf for "Go chase your tail"?

Balto, stop! Whoa!

Get him.

Get out of here, wolf-dog.
You'd better get back to your pack!

Maybe it's the unrelenting fear talking,
but I'm seeing wisdom in this advice.

Maybe we go now, huh? Now!

I'm thinking Balto's friend
got his feathers ruffled!

Goose! Ha! I get it!

Half-wolf in the side pocket there.

That was the most dead centre,
the most on-target, the most down-the-middle...

Ya hit him!

That son-of-a...

He is the most malicious, the most disgusting,
obnoxious, the most revolting, the most repulsive...

He's no lap dog.

Not a dog, not a wolf.

All he knows is what he is not.

If only he could see what he is.

Homesick, Boris?

- You ever think about going back?
- Don't fret, Fido.

I'm sticking here until I'm sure
you can stand on own four feet.

- YOU'RE taking care of ME?!
- Don't thank me.

I smell... herring.

- The herring are flying south too?
- Say!

- Must be Muk and Luk.
- Oh. Good news.

- Uncle Boris!
- Oh, no!

How sweet. "Uncle Boris. "

No hugging, no licking!

Uncle Boris!

He says he's glad to see you.

We love you. Uncle Boris.

What are you talking about?
Of course he's glad to see us.

He loves us... don't you?

Oy. OK, ОК.

Hey, boychicks, uh, let's play a game.

Yes, please. Uncle Boris.

Race you to the shore.
One, two, three, go!

They win.

Help! Help! We can't swim!

Help! Help! We're drowning!
Save us, please!

Bears!

- Fellas! Idiot balls of fluff!
- Easy, Boris. You know how they are.

Muk! Luk!

Relax! Come on, you're OK.
You're not drowning.

He has point, bears.
You are not drowning.

Cause if you will pause one moment
you will observe that's...

... tide is out!

He said what?

Oh, the shame of the polar bear
who fears the water.

No wonder we are shunned
by our fellow bear. Woe is us!

It's what he said.
Kind of pathetic, really.

What, more whimpering?

Between you and Balto, it's like
Dostoevsky novel here. Lighten up.

And what is so interesting?

- Jenna.
- Is love.

So go make move.

When the angels' balalaikas
strum the sweet song of love, mambo!

Nan. She's not my type.

And why not?
This wolf business again?

What's wrong with being half
and half, I'd like to know?

Sometimes I wish lik crazy,
I was half eagle.

Why?

Better profile, for one thing. Hmm.

And no one eats you, for another.

Jenna?

Jenna!

Jenna! Hi, girl!

Rosy! Rosy, come on. You're gonna
catch your death out here.

- OK, Dad.
- Come on, the doctor's waiting.

Jenna?

Jenna.

Balto. Hi.

Hi.

Look, uh...

Just a shot in the dark,
but I was wondering if...

I don't know, maybe you'd like to
go chase a few sticks by moonlight.

Jenna?

- Rosy's in there.
- In a hospital? Why?

She feels warm
and she has a terrible cough.

Balto, what's wrong with her?

Uh, I'm not sure,
but I know how to find out. Come on.

I have the keys to the city.

After you.

Balto!

Big paws kinda run in my family.

At least, uh, one side of my family.

- Stay close.
- No problem there.

It's so gloomy down here.

Not that I'm scared or anything.

Gloomy? You kiddin'? It's the
most beautiful spot in the world.

Dogs travel for years
just to be right here.

Here? I can't see why.

That's cos you're looking
at the bowl half empty.

See this? It's the polar ice caps.

Balto, those are broken bottles.

And they're not half empty,
they're all empty.

- The sun.
- Oh, Balto...

And... to the north...

The northern lights!

Oh, Balto, you're right.

It's beautiful.

Yeah.

Beautiful.

- Good night, Rosy.
- I'm so cold.

I have another blanket for you here.
Stay warm and get some rest.

Doctor, how is she?

Exhausted from coughing.
Her fever's getting worse.

Looks like diphtheria.

She's the 18th case this week.

And I'm out of antitoxin.

Jenna. Jenna, I'm sorry.

Jenna, I...
I didn't mean to upset you.

- I shouldn't have taken you there.
- No, I'm glad you did.

Steele.

Well, well.

What's wrong with this picture?
Jenna, join me for dinner.

You start at one end,
I'll start at the other.

When we get to the middle, well...

- You tell me.
- All right, Steele.

No, Balto.

Gee, Steele...

... I have to admit your offer
is very tempting.

It is.

But these days I prefer my meat... cooked.

Come on, let's go!

What's all the noise?

- I think it's over here.
- Jenna, come on.

Looks like Balto's found a way
to your meat locker.

Good thing Steele was here.
Good boy Steele, you've earned these.

Besides, I can't use 'em after
that wild animal's touched 'em.

Go on, get out of here, you thief!
Come on, Jenna, let's go home.

Anchorage. Stop.

Repeat, urgent request.

More diphtheria antitoxin. Stop.

Nome in grave danger. Stop.

Please help. Stop.

Nome, pack ice closing in.

Cannot ship antitoxin by sea.

Will try by air.

Nome, storm at airport.

Planes grounded until storm clears.

Many regrets.

From Juneau, Office of the Governor,

we are shipping antitoxin by rail. Stop.

Train line ends at town ofNenana. Stop.

Select fastest dogs for sled team.

To carry antitoxin from Nenana to Nome. Stop.

God willing, train will make it through. Stop.

... to select the fastest dogs for
the sled team to fetch the antitoxin.

the race is from...

Just look at him.
He's gonna save the entire town.

He's positively... magnesium!

It's not exactly a one-dog show, Dixie.

They're racing to see who's gonna
be on the dog sled team.

What's with you, Jenna?
Steele's a genuine hero.

But do you give him a sniff?

That's because Jenna
is running with Balto.

She was seen in the boiler room
the other night with Balto.

They went in together
and they left together.

I heard it all from
a very reliable source.

And don't bother to deny it.

Well, then I won't.

Oh! I'm speechless.

All mushers, get your dogs ready!

- The race is about to begin!
- Wait! Balto!

Racing is a spectator sport.
It requires very little preparation.

You sit, you arrange refreshments.

You like potato chip?

I'm not watching the race,
I'm running it.

- You said what?
- Hey look, I wanna help Rosy get better.

I can get that medicine through.

First... First...

First of all get it through your had that they
wouldn't put you in a sled team

even if you did win, which won't happen
and if it did, it wouldn't matter.

Boris, did you ever think maybe you're
the reason the other geese fly south?

If only your feet
were as fast as your mouth.

- Dogs to the line!
- They're starting.

- Wish me luck.
- Luck?

I don't wish you luck,
I wish you sense!

Good luck, kiddo.

Balto? What are you, nuts?

If Steele catches you here,
he'll turn you into kibble!

Let the half-dog run. It will be fun
making him eat our snow.

Get set.

- Balto?
- What does he think he's doing?

Oh, Balto, come on, come on!

Balto, go!

Hey! That's a foul!

Where's the referee? Is he blind?

Go, Balto, go! Jump, jump, jump!

Hey! That's my boy!

Go, Balto!

Balto, where are you going?

That's the long way...
Balto, get back in the race!

Sorry!

Who's eating whose snow now, mutt?

Time!

Did I teach him well?.
I could kiss that crazy pooch.

Ok, Nikki, Kaltag, Star, move it.
We're strapping up.

Hey, now, just a second here, Steele.

I was the fastest dog.

You were the fastest... what?

Do you honestly think any musher
would ever put you on his team?

- You're more mixed-up thatn I thought!
- Steele!

It doesn't matter who's on the team
as long as the medicine gets through.

Stop being such a glory hound.

You're a hundred per cent right,
Jenna. I... I...

I wasn't thinking about those children.

The important thing here is to get the medicine
through, and that's just what I wanna do.

And when I come back I'm gonna
fold you five ways...

and leave you for a cat toy.

Good dog, Steele.

Good boy! Now, let's take a look
at our winner here.

Let's take a look at our winner.

Ah, we can't trust this one.

- He's part wolf.
- See those teeth?

He might turn on me.

Nikki, Kaltag, Star! Let's go!

- Balto, I'm sorry...
- Better not talk to me, Jenna.

- I might turn on you.
- Balto, wait. Balto!

As long as there's hope
for those kids, I'll keep this lit.

It'll guide the team back.

Easy, easy. Back, back.

The sooner they leave,
the sooner they're back.

Stretch out, now.
Stretch out, Star.

Easy with that.

All right, now make sure
you lash her down tight.

Giddap, Steele! Giddap!

- Mush!
- Take care now, y'hear?

- Good luck!
- Go on, boys, go on! Move along.

Come on.

Steele!

Maybe we should go back. We're lost!

I am not lost!

Lost? Heh-heh. Did I say lost?

You didn't let me finish.

- I wanted to say... Aaah!
- This way!

It's terrible, my friends.
Just terrible.

Steele and his team... are lost.

- No! Steele? - What
do you mean? - How come?

- When?
- They missed the second checkpoint.

They're off the trail.

Can't they send another team?

It's too dangerous
for us and our men.

What about... them little ones?

The medicine won't be here in time.

We're going to lose them.

Rosy.

Please, Doctor,
it's the only medicine we got.

ок.

Jenna?

Rosy.

Balto, please.
Don't go crazy on me now.

This is foolishness.

You will die like a dog!
Oh, uh, no offence.

You will be frozen stiff by morning!

When you are big frozen-stiff
statue named Balto,

don't come running to me!

- He says...
- "Where is he going?"

He's going into freezing coldness
to find a dog he doesn't like

to bring medicine back to a town
that doesn't like him!

Oh, no! I'm beginning
to understand the bear!

Yes! Yes! Count us in!

Bears! Dogs!

Balto! Balto! Put me down!

No brains at all! Might as well
be talking to hu... mans.

So, let's go get the medicine.

Wait a minute. Now you're coming?

Spending days in bitter cold,
facing wild animals.

risking death from exposure...

.. is like holiday in old country.

Oh! Great! We're goin' on holiday!

Balto?

Good, Balto!

You took on the roughest, toughest.

meanest tree in the forest...
and you won.

I'm marking the trail.

He's marking our trail.
He's very clever.

And here I've been dropping bread crumbs!

I spy with my little eye

something beginning with "S".

Steele.

Bears!

Come on.

Steele and his team passed this way.

Boy, is he lost.

Steele!

We're going in circles!

- What?
- Gaa-aaah!

Circles is a good thing. I mean,
they're, uh... They're circular.

I know what I'm doing! It's...

It's... this way! Come on!

Ohh! I hit my head on somethin'.

Yeah. My head.

Looks like he's hurt bad, Steele.

W- what are we gonna do now, Steele?

Brilliant! Right on the beak!
What a bull's-eye!

That did it! Who did that?

I- It was him.

Guys, I think...

I think we should keep moving.

Is that your answer to all problems?
Motion?

Yeah, yeah! It's good.

Come on! Let's get going.

"Come on, boys. Let's go, boys.
Faster, boys. "

Easy to say for a guy with four legs!

OK, that's it.

Is time for goose to
kick a little bear butt.

Aha! Finally!

Your old Uncle Boris
is making an impression!

Now what?

Jenna?

Balto!

Geronimo!

Luk! Muk!

They cannot swim!

What? Polar bears who can't swim?

He's drowning!

No!

Well?

I don't see them.

Where are they?

- Balto!
- Muk! Luk!

Balto!

Come to life. Come to life.

Breathe! Come on!

Is he be OK? He's not breathing.
He doesn't look very well.

Stop hitting him. Uncle Boris!

Balto, I was so scared
I got people bumps.

Boris...

I know you think
this trip is crazy, but...

I'm glad you came.

Who else should you bring on a wild
goose chase but a goose, hmm?

- Are you OK?
- Are you OK? Jen...

I'm fine. Look, a message came through,
we have to take the mountain trail.

But if we take Eagle Pass,
it'll save us half a day.

It's blocked. The mountain trail
is dangerous, but we can do it.

I'm beginning to see
there isn't anything you can't do.

I'm seeing a few things too.

and it's making the ice melt.

I hate bears!

You guys oughta learn how to swim someday.
You'd be very good at it.

Of course we were in the water!
We were moving, we got wet...

Luk! We were swimming!

Ohh! Clumsy.

- No, you're not. You're hurt.
- I'm fine.

Maybe I'm not so fine.

- You should all go ahead without me.
- Jenna...

I'll be slowing everyone down.
Rosy can't hold out much longer.

Muk, you and Luk carry
Jenna back to town on this.

And this time don't take time out for a swim!

You can make sure of that, Boris.

You're gonna lead them home.
Just follow my marks.

- You're going alone?
- Won't be the first time.

Here. Afraid it won't keep you very warm.

Yeah, it will.

Well, of course Balto will come back.

He's Balto, will he?

Hey! I'm coming back
with the medicine.

I promise, Jenna.

Go ahead, guys. Take her home.

Balto, I do not like
leaving you out here alone.

Who's going to tell you
how cold you are?

Boris.

They need you even more than I do.

Let me tell you something, Balto.

A dog cannot make this journey alone.

But maybe a wolf can.

Right, you two balls of fluff! Let's move!

Hey! Two, three, four!

Nome. Stop.

Cannot send more antitoxin. Stop.

Weather too severe. Stop.

Lost sled team only hope. Stop.

Our prayers are with them.

Anchorage. Stop.

Steele.

Oh!

Balto!

- Is that Balto?
- How did you find us?

- Is anyone hurt?
- Everyone... is... fine.

Yeah, but our mushier hit his head
and he didn't get up.

- And he's not movin'.
- All right, follow me.

I can lead you home.

We don't need your help!

М- maybe we should listen to him.

How would youse get us home?

Well, I marked the trail, like this.

- Oh! Yeah!
- Ohh!

I'll get us back.
I'm the lead dog. I'm in charge.

Then let me take back the medicine.
They're getting sicker.

Touch that box
and I'll tear you apart.

- Two bones says Steele takes him.
- You're on.

Steele, I'm not leaving
without that medicine.

Who do you think you are?

Hey, this is gonna be good.

Since... Since when do you need
a pedigree to help someone?

Steele.

Let me help you.

Look at his eyes!

- He'll feel that tomorrow.
- I think he is feeling it now!

Ouch!

I don't want to fight.

- Whoa! That can't be legal!
- Yeah!

That stuff is fragile!

What's with Steele?
All Balto wants to do is help.

Ah! Look!

Oh, good boy.

Mush!

Go ahead, wolf-dog!
You'll never get home!

I'll make sure of that.

I'll show 'em.

Why not this way?
How about over here?

Oops! Wrong way!

Oh, no.

Which way, Balto, which way?

- Which way?
- Uh, this way.

- Why are you taking us in circles?
- I'm not!

I mean, I don't know. It's Steele.

Maybe we was
better off with him there.

No! Come on. Mush!

Balto, slow down! Wait... Uhh!

Hey! Hey! Goin' too fast!

Look out!

All right!

Good catch, Balto!

I don't get it.

how could Balto hope to
find Steele and his team?

They were off the trail.

Well, he's... tracking them.

That mutt?

Tracking a championship team
in a blizzard?

- Balto?
- Steele!

- You're alive!
- You're back!

- Where ya been?
- Are ya OK?

Steele, w-where are the others?

- What happened to you?
- Well, one by one they... fell.

Frozen, barely alive.

I pulled four onto the sled.

Three more on my back!

And, uh, I walked...

and I walked.

but i-it was just...
it was too late.

They were...

What about the medicine?

Well, uh, I... I went on,

d- dragging the medicine alone...

all alone...

and... and then suddenly...

that wolf-dog appeared, Balto.

H- he demanded I let him
take the medicine.

You know, he just wanted
so much to be a hero in your eyes.

And h-he grabbed the crate.

but he couldn't handle it.

H- he couldn't see the patch of ice...

Th-the snow, the wind and...

And then the log and the cliff...

Well, he just didn't have a ch...

He just...

I'm sorry.

And then...

My bandana!

He... made me promise
to take care of you, Jenna.

You're lying.

Steele's lying.

Balto's alive.

And he's coming home.

Uh... Well, you know,
she needs a little time.

The sun. Ice caps.

Balto.

Rosy.

Hmm?

Let me tell you something, Balto.

A dog cannot make this journey alone.

But maybe a wolf can.

Great, things are not bad enough.
Now we got wolves.

Wolves?

- Hey, over here!
- What is it? What?

- Balto?
- And he's got the medicine!

Come on, Balto. Youse can make it.

That's the most amazing, the most fantastic,
that is the most incredible...

That's the most phenomenal...

That's good! Ohh!

Hey, he has got the feet of a wolf there.

- Come on, Balto.
- Keep tryin', baby.

- Pull! Pull! You got it!
- Just keep pullin'!

- You're almost there.
- Yeah! You got it!

- Come on, Balto!
- Come on, let's go!

- Let's go!
- Yes! You're there!

- That's it, that's it!
- All right!

-Yeah! All right!
- You did it!

Congratulations! That was great!

Come on! Mush!

Gesundheit.

Mush!

Oh, dear.

Come back to bed.

Here, drink this.

Thanks.

Balto.

В- B-Balto.

Balto.

Balto's back!

Jenna.

The team!

They made it!

Of course, as you know.

I swam and I swam.

I was freezing cold. And then...

Finally, I said, Steele,

you'll have to gnaw
your way to the surface.

So I... What?

It's Balto. With the medicine!

Steele, you are positively...

disposable!

OK, OK. I can explain.

Tell me about it.

You guys weren't there, so you don't...

Wait a minute, guys.
Wait just a second. Please?

Get lost.

Steady, there. Easy, now.
That's had a long journey.

- How is he?
- He's gonna be OK.

Good dog, Balto.

Dear, dear Balto.

Good boy!

Not dog! Not wolf!

You're a hero!

Balto!

Come on, boy.
There's someone wants to see you.

Thank you! Thank you!

Mommy?

Rosy, darling. Ohh!

- I fell asleep.
- Rosy.

It's such a relief.

Balto.

I'd be lost without you.

Jenna.

Way to go, Balto!

He has the most endurance, the most fidelity,
the most intelligence!

They should build a statue of him!

- You said it!
- I did?

This is it. Grandma.
Blaze found it.

What does it say?

"Dedicated to the... " Indomable?

Indomitable.

"Indomitable spirit
of the sled dogs... "

"... that relayed antitoxin

"600 miles from Nenana
to the relief of stricken Nome...

"in the winter of 1925. "

"Endurance, fidelity, intelligence. "

Balto really did do all of that,
didn't he, Grandma?

Oh, yes, sweetheart, he really did.

And today they run
the Iditarod Dog Race

over the very path
he and the others took.

- Can Blaze do that too. Grandma?
- Maybe.

With practice.

A lot of practice.

Come on, Blaze. Come on! Mush!

Thank you, Balto.

I would've been lost without you.

Grandma Rosy!

Grandma Rosy, come on!