User reviews

This is the story of a small boy's innocence , he's living with his parents (Penelope Milford and Steve Railsback) next to the sea coast . He's a lonely ten-year-old boy who spontaneously finds a legendary golden seal and her newborn pup . But the greed for her valuable pelt does the hunters , including his father (Steve Railsback) , natives and an ambitious poacher (Michael Beck) set out in pursuit the seal . The golden seal and cub are hunted for a huge bounty on her head and the mythological legend .

This enjoyable movie contains spectacular outdoors , ordinary animal footage , good feeling and a little bit of drama . The film is shot in Aleutian Islands and British Columbia with sensational landscapes . The best parts of the picture are the awesome outdoors and the sensitive soundtrack by Dana Kaproff . Acceptable acting by quatrain protagonist , the little boy , Torquil Campbell ; the daddy , Steve Raisback (Barbwire , Lifeforce) ; the mum well performed by Penelope Milford and the hunter , Michael Beck (Warriors , Xanadu) . The flick is rated ¨parents guide¨ because there are strong fighting and shooting executed by the mean hunters wishing to kill the seals . Colorful cinematography sot on location in Aleutian Islands, Alaska, USA and British Columbia, Canada . Agreeable and vivid musical score by Dana Kraproff . The motion picture was professionally directed by Frank Zuñiga . He's usually director of children and youngsters movies such as ¨Grey Wolf¨ , ¨Mustang¨ , ¨Heartbreaker¨ and ¨Further adventures of the wilderness family¨ , and occasionally director for television as Disneyland episodes . Rating : Passable and entertaining .

I see Mindy has given an in depth synopsis of THE GOLDEN SEAL which revolves around a young kid called Eric trying to save a mythical golden seal from greedy hunters . I won't reiterate the plot except to point out how uncomfortable the serious tone of the movie made me feel and there's scenes that shouldn't have been included in something that's marketed as a family movie like Eric being assualted by his father

Talking of which Eric's father is played by Steve Railsback an actor who received great acclaim by playing Charles Manson in HELTER SKELTER . Railsback always gives an intense performance and I'm sure you'll remember him as the eponymous Duane Barry in one of the all time great episodes of THE X FILES . Unfortunately he always gives an intense performance whether the role calls for it or not which makes his performance in LIFEFORCE somewhat laughable and he's rather laughable due to his OTT acting in THE GOLDEN SEAL

For a family film it doesn't get my seal of approval

This film is gorgeous to look at because of the on location cinematography at the Aleutian islands. I found it interesting to read the other comments and obviously this film strikes a chord with people and it makes many feel "off" or uncomfortable. But that is what I liked about it - it is very real and has real situations between adults and adults and kids. Yes, Stve Railsback has been cursed since he nailed playing Manson in Helter Skelter - an amazing performance and he was beyond convincing. Which is why he freaked people out. Hes' been good in other films, most notably The Stunt Man - a funny dark film with Peter O'Toole as crazed film director. But the way the film deals with nature, tradition but most of all ISOLATION is very smart and I feel you can enjoy this with your kids if they are age appropriate - 8 and up. My 8 and 11 year old liked it very much and we talked about it afterwards and how the boy felt so strongly about doing what was right that he would stand up to his Father like that. The film also has a very good message about money and how it isn't everything. The mom makes that clear that what she truly, dearly needs is her family. That is what is important. Plus there is a beautiful seal and she has a baby and the baby is adorable - but sandwiching all the cute animal footage is a serious drama and I can see how a few would find it strange bedfellows. But overall, well made, well acted - the lead kid is at times hokey and hammy but other times, really nails the difficult scenes.

One of those rare child movies, beautifully filmed, with excellent acting, TGS, like ET, is the story of a loving friendship between boy and the ultra rare golden seal, locals want to kill for profit, including low browed, angry eyed father (Railsback) such a cool dependable actor, with layers of character. Beck, a scene stealer, is fantastic in one of his best performances, as a shady, violent, evil hunter, he too, raring the claim the gorgeous innocent creature. Wonderfully chosen locations, with some great thrilling scenes of survival, in the midst of a terrible squall, they are some more attributes of this excellent film, as well as a great finale soundtrack by Glen Campbell. Some of you will need to bring out the tissues, as the golden seal up close is, is truly beautiful, to admire. It's kid, defending seal and it's baby. Wonderfully made film, that's one to treasure, like the seal itself. Only qualm, is I would of liked to see more scenes with seal and boy a great performance, by an excellent child actor.