The Boy Who Talked to Badgers
The Boy Who Talked to Badgers is a 1975 American made-for-television adventure film directed by Gary Nelson, starring Christian Juttner and Carl Betz.[1] It was produced by Walt Disney Productions and based on the novel Incident at Hawk's Hill by Allan W. Eckert. The film was originally broadcast on NBC as a two-part episode on The Wonderful World of Disney on September 14 and 21, 1975.[2]
The Boy Who Talked to Badgers | |
---|---|
Based on | Incident at Hawk's Hill by Allan W. Eckert |
Written by | Sheldon Stark |
Directed by | Gary Nelson |
Starring | Christian Juttner Carl Betz Salome Jens Georgie Collins |
Narrated by | Denver Pyle |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
Production | |
Producer | James Algar |
Cinematography | Gilbert Hubbs |
Running time | 100 minutes |
Production company | Walt Disney Productions |
Distributor | Buena Vista Television |
Release | |
Original network | NBC |
Original release | September 14 – 21, 1975 |
Plot
Benjy (Juttner) is a six-year-old Canadian boy who prefers the company of animals rather than humans, and tries to spend as much time as possible with his furry friends. His parents realize this could eventually become a problem, but don't have the heart to take away Benjy's only pleasure.
The boy befriends a badger, and when the animal disappears, Benjy sets out to find his friend. In the course of his search, Benjy gets trapped in a raging river and winds up being carried far from his home. After over a week long search, brother John finds Benjy. He had been living in a cave shared with a badger. Old Badger shared his fish catches with the boy.
After a happy family reunion, trapper Burton returns to the ranch and shoots the badger. The animal dies but years later as an adult Ben returns to Old Badger's grave.
Cast
- Carl Betz as Will MacDonald
- Salome Jens as Esther MacDonald
- Christian Juttner as Benjy MacDonald
- Robert Donner as Trapper Burton
- Denver Pyle as Narrator (Ben MacDonald as an adult)
- Stuart Lee as John MacDonald
- Georgie Collins as Mrs. Martha Gilman
References
- AllMovie, The Boy Who Talked to Badgers
- Cotter, Bill (1997). The Wonderful World of Disney Television. Hyperion Books. pp. 88, 517. ISBN 0-7868-6359-5.