Set 20,000 years ago, “Alpha” tells the story of a young man (Kodi Smit-McPhee) on his first hunt who’s separated from his clansmen — and finds an unlikely friend in a wolf who’s been abandoned by its pack.
It’s one possible scenario of how ancient humans domesticated wolves and it makes for an exciting and emotionally involving story as boy and wolf bond and struggle to survive in the harsh wilderness together.
Here’s what you need to know about the movie:
1. Is Alpha a real wolf?
Alpha is played by Chuck, a relatively new breed called a Czechoslovakian wolfdog. They were introduced in the 1950s, when the Czechoslovak military bred German shepherds with wolves.
Animal trainer Mark Forbes, who’s worked on films including “Marley & Me” and “Hotel For Dogs,” told the LA Times about working with Chuck: “He’s got some dog in him, but he is very wolf-like in his look and aloof in a way that dogs aren’t. The experience was unique, and the story of the movie is too. I spend a lot of time thinking about dogs and their psychology, so the idea of going back to the place the friendship started? It was moving for me, and it made me appreciate dogs even more.”
2. Are the other animals real or CGI?
The other wolves were provided by Instinct Animals for Film, who also supplied wolves for “Game of Thrones” and “The Revenant.” Many animal sequences are computer-generated, however, including the dramatic bison stampede over a cliff.
3. Why is the movie rated PG-13?
It’s rated PG-13 for scenes of “intense peril,” including hunting scenes, “violence depicting physical assault and injury,” “some grotesque images” and some scenes [that] may frighten children”
4. How intense are the hunting scenes?
The film starts off with a herd of bison being stampeded over a cliff. Although it’s clearly, CGI, the scene (which is featured in the trailer) is still upsetting.
The night before Keda (Kodi Smit-McPhee) leaves on his first hunt, his worried mother says, “He leads with his heart, not with his spear,” since she knows his tenderhearted nature. Later, he’s unable to kill a warthog, even though his father’s approval is riding on it. We see the same mercy when he can’t bring himself to kill the injured wolf, who ends up becoming his closest friend.
He eventually learns to hunt animals like rabbits so he and Alpha can survive their arduous trek back home. (Keda’s hunting skills improve, but the camera cuts away before we see him kill anything.)
5. Why is PETA calling for a boycott?
Not all the bison scenes are CGI: Bison carcasses were used in the film, which is leading to PETA calling for a boycott. A source told the LA Times that no bison were killed just for the film, which would be against the American Humane Association’s guidelines. The production team purchased “previously harvested” bison carcasses from a reputable meat-processing company, according to the source. (Bison burgers are growing in popularity because they don’t have the same growth hormones as beef.) According to a THR investigation, the production was cleared of animal cruelty and the whole thing chalked up to a “miscommunication.”
6. Why is it subtitled?
The entire film is subtitled because, no one is speaking contemporary English. It’s not clear what language they are speaking.
7. SPOILER: Does the wolf die?
Keda and Alpha encounter several life-threatening situations, but the film has a very happy ending. But still, bring tissues!
Movie Paws 
Thank you for these answers! I was just here to check how many tissues I’d need! 😉 Going tomorrow!
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Just a little correction…
The breed is called Czechoslovakian Wolfdog and it was introduced by Czechoslovakian military (Czechoslovakia split peacefully into Czech Republic and Slovak Republic/Slovakia in 1993).
It is Slovak national breed.
We own a couple of these beautiful animals 🙂
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Thank you! Will make the correction. Gorgeous dogs!
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As do I, and would not describe them as ‘aloof’…
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I just watched the movie tonight! What a great movie! As a large breed dog owner, I knew it was a mix,but what? I live in Toronto,Canada, and had a Shaplaninic (whom passed away and own a Caucasisn Ovcharca.My saying is “The more I meet people,the more I like my dog’LOL Thank you for your input!
Regards:Daniel
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The acual name of the breed is Czecholsovakian Vlcak. Done a lot of research on them before I purchased one. Yes they they are stuborn and extremely intelligent . I would not recommend people to purchse them if you are not experienced dog owners. They are extremely food motivated. I taught her not to jump up on fruniture especilay the tables. Yesterday I put my dinner dish on the dinning room table. Instead of jumping on the table, she decided to grab the table cloth and started pulling so she can slide my dinner on the floor. Nobody taught her that.
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I believe they speak some form of ancient basque. The word used for father is similar to “aita” father in basque. Being the oldest and only surviving preindoeuropean language in Europe makes some sense
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i think the word they are using is “Ayah” , is from indonesia …
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Does the dog die in this movie?
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No! The dog (wolf) lives. The movie
has a very happy ending.
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Ok so why did that kids dad have him beat up before the journey? wtf was that about?
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The assault on the boys symbolizes the pain of the journey into adulthood. Many tribal cultures the world over still practice a ritualized form of this called the Vision Quest. Young people are sent into the desert, woods or mountains to fast, thirst and encounter the elements for up to four days where they seek a sign from the Spirit World regarding their Power Animal and the path they must follow in this life. Adults are generally nearby although the young person is likely not aware of this. After the Vision Quest, the teen returns to the Tribe “reborn” as an adult. A tattoo or piercing my be given and in some instances the person has a new name because the old individual has “died.” In the movie, this tribe practiced a ritualized assault as part of the initiation process.
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I finally watched this movie last night, because I believed it was geared towards a younger audience. The movie took me on an emotional roller coaster and I loved it! I was extremely well-made and the wolf/dog was absolutely gorgeous and well trained!
Check it out for a treat!
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An under-rated film and one of my favorites. I could relate to Keda. Heart over spear.
A minor point but I know of no sabre tooths in Europe. The “head smashed in buffalo jump” is very Alberta. It’s reasonable enough that they hunted this way in Europe as well, although evidence for this is scant.
Some of the most visually stunning scenes around, with terrific perfs from the 3 leads, which includes Chuck.
Highly recommended.
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