The outdoor scenes and the dogs are really great in this short literary adaption.The actors, on the other hand, are just reading their scripts it seems. There is very little life to the characters, and if it weren't for the dogs, this film would be really unwatchable. I have to admit it's been a long time since I read the book but while I think Buck is the real hero even in the book, I hope the humans there are more than just cardboard characters to fill up the screen.Apart from the actors, the production values are OK. I liked the sets and scenery and the music did its job.

If you want a great adventure series for the whole family that is not a cartoon, look no further than Animal Planet's excellent series "Call of the Wild." Buck, the canine hero of the Jack London novel, faces adventures in the town and surrounding area of Forty-Mile with his human friend Miles as well as John and Adoley Thornton. There is something for every taste here: action/adventure, drama, and a little humor and romance. Nick Mancuso (John) and Shane Meier (Miles) work well together, but the real chemistry is between Meier and Buck. Buck is fantastic! This series has everything going for it: well-written scripts, a nice cast, a nice music score, and GORGEOUS on-location photography that is nicely presented in a "matted" letterbox format. It is truly a breath of fresh air. Here's hoping many people will hear the call for a long time.