Balto | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster by John Alvin | |
Directed by | Simon Wells |
Screenplay by |
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Story by |
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Produced by | Steve Hickner |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Jan Richter-Friis (live action) |
Edited by |
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Music by | James Horner |
Production companies | |
Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release dates |
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Running time | 78 minutes |
Countries | United States[1] United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Budget | $31 million[2] |
Box office | $11 million[3] |
Balto is a 1995 live-action/animated adventure film directed by Simon Wells, produced by Amblin Entertainment and distributed by Universal Pictures.[4] It is loosely based on the true story of the eponymous dog who helped save children infected with diphtheria in the 1925 serum run to Nome. The film stars the voices of Kevin Bacon, Bridget Fonda, Phil Collins, and Bob Hoskins. Though primarily an animated film, it uses a live-action framing device that takes place in New York City's Central Park and features Miriam Margolyes as an older version of one of the children. This was the third and final film to be produced by Steven Spielberg's Amblimation animation studio, before the studio's closure in 1997.
Although the film was a financial disappointment due to being overshadowed by the success of Pixar's Toy Story, its subsequent sales on home video led to two direct-to-video sequels: Balto II: Wolf Quest (2002) and Balto III: Wings of Change (2005), though none of the original voice cast reprised their roles.