The Hellhounds of Alaska (1973) (aka: Die blutigen Geier von Alaska) starring Doug McClure, Harald Leipnitz, Angelica Ott, Roberto Blanco, Kristina Nel directed by Harald Reinl Movie Review

The Hellhounds of Alaska (1973)   2/52/52/52/52/5


Doug McClure in The Hellhounds of Alaska (1973) (aka: Die blutigen Geier von Alaska)

Oh Hell No

Rugged fur trapper Don Rutland (Doug McClure) rescues a boy from a cave he is stuck in but knows he is very sick and decides he must try and take him across country to Paradise Creek and the nearest doctor. But not only is the journey one full of natural danger and the harsh elements there is also danger from those who are up to no good, who will steal, kidnap and fight to lay their hands on some gold.

You have to say that the West German westerns of the 70s are an acquired taste with their often low budget look and dubbing which when combined with the translation can often make scenes unintentionally hilarious. Unintentionally hilarious, aka comically bad, also happens to be the case when it comes to "The Hellhounds of Alaska" as whilst it might boast the recognizable Doug McClure everything else is typical of this sub-genre of movies right down to a comical Captain character who drinks too much.

Kristina Nel in The Hellhounds of Alaska (1973) (aka: Die blutigen Geier von Alaska)

The thing is that from the word go it is impossible to take "The Hellhounds of Alaska" when we have cheesy scene of the rugged Don rescuing this kid from a cave and then deciding that the kid needs a doctor but rather than go and get a doctor he will take the kid with him on the arduous journey through the various elements. If it had been played more as a jokey scene then it would have worked but the deadly seriousness of it makes it terrible. And sadly that is what we get through out the rest of the movie which in turn makes it one of those westerns which becomes comically wrong which is added to but the aspects of being lost in translation.

And as for the acting, well Doug McClure does rugged; well rugged in the sense he has a beard, sweat patches and looks thin but it isn't a good performance. But it is the best one in the entire movie with only Kristina Nel being memorable because of her beauty rather than because of her character and maybe Roberto Blanco as Ham-a-Ham a boxer who seems like he has no reason for being in the movie.

What this all boils down is that "The Hellhounds of Alaska" is really just a typical 1970's West German western which is a sub-genre which has always been an acquired taste. But as such it is frequently corny and lacking in realism with the dubbing often adding to its comically bad nature.


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