Hm....

Upon watching Balto over and over every day for the past few days, I keep thinking about that saying that Rosie keeps saying(twice in the movie, forever in my mind). "Balto, I would have been lost without you."

Now it comes to my mind that this could be a true and statement. Well, that however is not what this topic is about.

The real question is, have you felt this way too? Is this not just an individual's feeling, but a group of peoples' feelings too? I know for one that I feel this way too, as since I saw Balto for the first time, I began to grow more.. how do I say it? Spirited? Yea, I used to be depressed, but thats another story. So, might I ask everyone, who else feels the same as I, the same as Rosie even? In other words, I will say it too...

"Balto, I would have been lost without you."

That's an interesting thought, Iceburnedd... If I never saw or became a Balto fan, I definitely wouldn't have my awesome tattoo, and why on earth would I have gotten the tattoo if the movie wasn't something significant to me? I guess that for me, Balto came across as a positive, possibly idealistic, role-model during a time when I had *no* good role-models. Despite his being an outcast from society, Balto never "turned to the dark side" and instead became a loved hero through overcoming self-doubt and fear.

The psychology behind the movie is something that sticks with me, it is a very mindful film - one that has deeper meanings than are first apparent. Overall, the primary sense I receive from the movie is that one should never give up, never lose hope and that so long  as we each reach for our own light, we will find the rewarding joy in life that we each ultimately desire.

Would I be "lost" without Balto? In honesty, I don't quite think  that the film has quite impacted me, but I do believe that if I never encountered the movie, I would be a different person today.

~ Jay ~
KSC FL

How can I put this.................yeah, um..................when I was a small child of about six, and Balto had just came out, I was like "mommy What a cute little wolf! I haveta see that ASAP!" I saw it once in the theatres with her, and the second time, I begged my grandpa to bring me again. It was my all time favorite movie ( I have always been a big fan of animated movies). Then, I was like obsessed as I obbsessed over every new animated movie that came out, because I am a very obsessive person. Well,  my obsession with Balto was different. I dunno, I can't really explain. Then after it came out on video, I rented it like every week by begging my mom.

When I grew up a bit, I kinda forgot about Balto the great hero. Oh! That's it! I liked balto because I couldn't believe that it was acurally a true story behind an animated movie, I couldn't belive that a little dog could save a whole town/state. But  about a year ago, I just went to Hollywood Video one day, and I saw the Balto movie, and the obsession started up again. It has always remained a mystery to me as of why, but I guess I'll never know. But anyhoo, my nieghbor has the movie now, and I borrow it frequently, and it always is an uplifting experiance every time I watch the movie.

This is intresting...
When i first saw the Balto movie. I was around 19 years old. The movie had a strange impact on me.. I got curious to find out more about Balto. (also the real one)
But it was also a movie that touched my heart very much.. Cartoons from Disney dont do that... Except.. The Lion King.. That movie was special too!!
Regards

C.L

(Edited by CL at 5:36 pm on May 31, 2003)

Though I don't remember seeing Balto when it was first released in the theatres (since I was about eight at the time), I became entranced when I saw it for the first time in a long time, soon after I first met you, Silver. That movie really touched me that only two other animated motion pictures did at the time: The Lion King and Mononoke Hime. Possibly most of all. The White Wolf scene forever haunts my memory, as it brings me to tears nearly every time I see it. Such a powerful emotional depth the plot brings, and the score is the most powerful I have possibly ever heard. (I'm a movie score buff..gahh I'm a geek ^_~) Balto also fueled my passion for wolves and huskies.
I guess if Balto never came out, I probably never would have met some of the good friends I have today, like Silver, Ash, and all of you guys. ^_^ Someday I wish to visit Alaska and view another of my deeply-rooted passions: the aurora borealis.

I don't think I'd be the same person I am today if it wasn't for Balto. �It first caught my eye back in 1995 and I wanted to see in theaters, but I had to wait a year later to see it on the Disney Channel. �When managed to tape it, I watched everyday, sometimes twice a day. ;)

Balto is just more than a tale of a (wolf)dog who help saves the town of Nome. �It's an awesome story of overcoming hate and prejudice through preservence and great inner strength. �And if that's not an important life lesson, I don't know what is. ;) �

Balto inspired me to want to learn how to draw, to make a webpages, my screen name, my love for huskies and wolves, and most importantly all of my good online friends. �If hadn't been for Balto, I would have never met them, and the rest of you all. �And by making friends, I don't mean anything run of the mill like something that last for a few weeks, I mean friendships that last for years upon years. �Even finding someone that care a lot for. ^^;

I credit the choice I made in Video Express to rent Balto as one of the best choices I have ever made.  Through the finding of The Balto League (and then The Icy Boards), I have made some very good friends (*Nuzzles Silver, pyrrs*), and I am a much friendlier, better, and more open individual than I was, pre-Balto.

I can't say what grabbed my attention when I saw the "Balto" preview on television long ago when I was twelve years old. �It could have been the fact that it had the perfect combination of two elements which I loved at the time and still do today: snow and wolves. �Or maybe it was because Balto was an outcast, like me.

I don't know or remember the real reason. �All I know is that in some way I can't understand, this film has had a lasting impact on me, more so than even Disney's "The Lion King". �No other animated film has given me such great ideas and emotions on a long-term basis. �

"Balto" has made me open up to the outside world. �Posting in these forums has helped my communication skills both online and offline, one little step at a time.

If it weren't for "Balto", I would still be at my laptop struggling to figure out how to take screengrabs, because I wouldn't have such wonderful friends to turn to when I need help. :smile:

Suicune, it seems you and I have several things in common: I want to go to Alaska for the exact same reason. �Also, I love movie scores too. �One of my all time favorite hobbies is collecting movie soundtracks. :wink:

(Edited by Aniu1983 at 1:40 am on June 2, 2003)

Aww going down memory lane! I don't think that I would have been lost without Balto if I HADN'T seen it, however I would have been different. Now I would definately be lost if something took Balto away, although I really do need to watch it again as I haven't in a while.

I had never really liked animation before Balto, it was strange like I watched cartoons until I reached a sertain age were cartoons "weren't cool" anymore.  Although I did start to watch Ren and Stimpy when it came out for the first time. That was ok though as for it's time it was pretty discusting!

I also in this time gone to see The Lion King at the cinema as we had free tickets, but the movie didn't really do anything for me. It was OK and I thought the hyenas were quite good, but I didn't buy the video and even today have seen it only 1 and a half times lol.

But Balto was different (better :P) it made me watch, I had no control, I sat down and watched it on tv, transfixed. I had missed the ending but at the time it didn't matter, I just had to know what happened next. It was amazing and I taped it the next time it came on.

I remember joining the League in its infant days, before the flood of morons making it what it is today. I remember saying I had about 6 copies of the movie incase one tape breaks.. in my mind a normal sensible thing to do lol. Yep I was obsessed and I'm so thankful for DVDs.. no wearing out now

I also remember a statement made by someone in regards to Balto and TLK. I can't remember who they were although it may have been CW. "Lion King fans always like Balto but Balto fans couldn't give a #### about The Lion King". In my case, so true.

I don't think I can really answer this question. Given the way things were going when I first found Balto, I think it was inevitable; in order for me to have never found Balto, EVERYTHING would need to be different... my political views and musical taste would be different, my police record would be gone, everything. That's how far back I'd have to go to get off of the path that led me here.

For what it was, though, I'd say that my decision to watch Balto 2 when it aired on Cartoon Network around last Thanksgiving to see the "cute little wolfers" was a pretty solid one. I loved and hated it at the same time; I thought the movie itself wasn't anything special, but I could tell that it was the sequel to something that was. I rented Balto a while later, sat down with the lights off and a glass of iced tea, and proceeded to watch it all the way through to the end of the credits without touching the remote or the tea.

I believe the general idea at the time was that I was getting more interested in dogs, though we didn't have one at the time. After I saw Balto, I gained a sort of reverence for the creatures; not all of them, though, mostly the wolves and the wolf-like northern dogs. I guess the only real impact the movie has had on me is that "wolf researcher" is now on my list of professions I would like to but never will pursue. I know the movie goes deeper than that, but I can't quite place my finger on it.

Firstly, I think that Balto is an excellant animation and although it didnt change me, every time I watch it, it fills me with spirit and hope i suppose. As an animator I would hope that when people watch my films, eventually, that they have this feelin inside because that way they relate to the character and his feelings and therefore they remeber the film more. There are only 2 other animations which make me feel this, these are The lion King and Spirit, in spirit the part when he runs on snow in foreground and family below and then when he gets capturered for first time and then his mum tries to come save him. These parts most make me well up inside......er... Im gettin so emotional?!

Well this is interesting. I remember first seeing the movie when I was nuthin more than a lil' snooger(whatever that is, just made it up) and not liking it much. But then I saw it about 4 or 5 months ago, and said: "This movie isn't that bad, I kinda like it." and...well... here I am. I don't think it really had much of an impact emotionally on me, but it did spur my art interests, I had kinda given up on it, so if I didn't see it I probably wouldn't have any artwork up, not to mention I wouldn't be here.

(Edited by tane at 6:40 pm on June 4, 2003)

Well, I have to say that this movie has made a huge impact on my life. While not everything was direct, it in turn caused me to find this board through The Ice Cave, and being here has helped me do the following:

#1 Find great friends and many more great people, and helped me develop social skills.

#2 It has made me interested in art, and I am now trying to learn how to draw/color in photoshop

#3 Has given me much motivation in learning HTML and scripting, plus given me many great online resources such as LJ, Corbis...

#4 I found www.homestarrunner.com thanks to Ac

#5 The movie itself has alot of personal meaning to me, which I will explain at some point with an essay on my homepage.

#6 And... the movie has revived an old interest in canines, and now I am completely crazy about them ^^

#7 LOL, one more, somehow or another, it has inpired me enjoy school rather than dread it *shrugs* maybe from CW or Nex

(Edited by thelonewolf 27 at 8:25 pm on June 5, 2003)

Animal-based animation has always caught my attention.But none had as much impact as Balto did.The first time I saw it,I immediately ran and grabbed a piece of paper and pencil and did my first Balto fanart.I was so absorbed into Balto.I went and researched the story behind the animation later.Ever since then,I came to love our canine pals more.

I also came to realize that I have been a lot more open to the world.No more am I always hiding myself.I'm so glad I've changed.Needless to say,if I hadn't seen it,well,I wouldn't be here,would I?

(Edited by Kaynine at 12:50 pm on June 7, 2003)