brilliant actors, brilliant editing

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

Like the films of Rin Tin Tin or Lassie, My Pal, Wolf plays on viewer's affections for dogs and their relationships with humans, with emphasis on the loyalty of dogs, and anthropomorphizing their behaviors. Wolf is a German shepherd found by a young girl. The two become fast friends and each has an opportunity to "save" the other. Some of the human characters are nicely acted, though caricatures. Anyone who is a sucker for dog films will probably love this one. There are a couple of scenes which qualify as tearjerkers.Since this film was made mid-World War II, it also carries the expected patriotic message. It seems "Wolf" is actually owned by the U.S. military. During war times, citizens are always called upon to sacrifice for the war effort. Sacrifice is practically the definition of patriotism during wartime. War time movies also usually have what we might call a propaganda message. In this case, it has to do with the duties of military dogs. This film emphasizes the humanitarian services that these dogs provide, such as transport of medicines.Were these dogs really used much for transporting medicines on the battlefield? If you refer to Wikipedia's article about "Dogs in Warfare", you will find a description of the wartime uses of dogs, including WWII.The wartime aspect of the story is the minor part, however. The focus is one the love of a girl for her dog and the dog for the girl. The young actress acquits herself well, though the story is a little trite.

Caught this back in the 1970s. A local TV station showed it uncut and with NO commercial interruptions (which never happened back then). I saw it and loved it! Never forgot it.It's about a little girl whose parents have no time for her and has a cruel nanny. Near the house is a training center for dogs to use in the war. One escapes, meets the little girl and they immediately become friends. She never wants him to go...but he is needed by the military and they track him down. What will happen? Don't worry--it has happy endings all around:) Sure it's predictable and highly illogical but it works! The acting is good, the dog is cute and the ending will have everybody going "awwwwwwww" with a smile:) Cute little movie. PERFECT for kids.

***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS*** If there was a little girl more worthy of a friend, I don't know who it is. Gretchen has two working parents that are never home with her and a really nasty nanny that dosen't understand a single thing about children. Gretchen finds a dog that has fallen into an abandoned hole in the ground and brings him home. The dog befriends and protects her and Gretchen wants to keep the new friend she's found. The nanny sees the dog as a threat to her authority, so she goes about finding out who the rightful owners might are. Turns out the dog is a war dog scheduled to leave right away for the front in Europe and the DOD sends a jeep to pick the dog up at Gretchen's house. Gretchen and a few of her more daring friends decide to go find Wolf at the Army training grounds close by. They find Wolf and ask as to whether they can buy him. The private there tells them that they need to talk to the Secretary of War in Washington DC. This might deter a lesser soul, but Gretchen sets out on foot for Washington. Ultimately the Secretary of War tells Gretchen that Wolf has his part to do in the war effort and that she needs to let him go and do the job he was trained for. All's well that ends well, however, and the Secretary sends Gretchen a puppy to hold her over until Wolf returns from war. We never find out if he does.