Animation Source Forums

Yep, that's the tagline on the cover of the first Balto movie. It states unequivocally that the movie itself is the true story. Now, while that is not really so, it most definitely IS based upon actual events, as many of you know by now. And that is what this brief topic is about.

(Edited...see note below...)


Recently, a member of this site made a statement that makes a rather blunt and uncomplimentary inference about all of us. And, without name-dropping, I shall show you that quote, word-for-word (which has been uttered by this member more than once):





This member has also claimed that I am "the only one who cares about a dog who died 100 years ago". (Well, this person's math is way off anyway. It's actually little more than almost 88 years, but that's beside the point. Clearly these comments were meant disparagingly, with the sole purpose of angering me.) Anyone who looks at my signature image below, and spends any time reading my topics on the true story board (and occasionally my comments or posts in response to related questions) knows that I am an aficionado of the story, and care a great deal about it. I have studied it in-depth, and I think it's fair to say that I am one of the most well-versed on this site about it, if not the most well-versed. That matters to me. As far as contributions to the site as a fan, historical information and photos are among the best that I can offer (besides my fan fiction and occasional fan videos). So it means a lot to me. And digs like the ones above I feel are petty and insulting, and do a disservice not only to the efforts I put into my fandom, but also to all of you as fans. And to the memory of those events of 88 years ago. Events which were in no way unimportant.


Taking into account the first parenthetic point, in the paragraph above (about the nature of the comments), I already know how untrue those statements are, because I have seen several members state, several times, that they do indeed care, and many of them know at least something of the true history behind the movie (some are pretty well-versed in it actually).


But that aside, I'd like to see it from you first-hand. And I think that member needs to see it, and to see how foolish the disparaging comments made really are. So here's the thing:


Tell me, in your own words (and by voting in the poll above), does it matter at all to you that there was an actual diphtheria epidemic in Nome back in 1925? Does it matter to you that, actually, 150 dogs (rather than just one) gave their all in a relay race of mercy to save lives? That some of those dogs suffered (and a few who actually died, as a result of the extremely-bad weather conditions during the relay), giving their lives in sacrifice? Granted, the dogs didn't understand the purpose of what they were doing...they just gave their all as any good sled dogs would. And the men who drove the teams did as well. As did the nurses and Dr. Curtis Welch...and the road house owners who supported the mushers along the route...and the Eskimos who advised and supported them when needed. Etc. And of the children and adults who suffered from the epidemic (including those who died from it).


Does it matter to you? Do the names "Balto", "Togo", "Seppala", "Kaasen", "Welch" and others carry any weight in your hearts and minds? Do the dogs, especially, matter at all? Or is it all just some long-ago little event that has no bearing whatsoever on your being here, or on our modern world?


EDIT: Note, this topic isn't meant to suggest that you have to consider this THE most important aspect of the Balto fandom...either for you or in general. It's reasonable that everyone has their most and least-favorite things regarding the Balto movies and the fandom. That's okay. What this topic is meant to get from you is really whether or not you think it matters to you (and maybe HOW important it is to you personally), and to the general fandom (in more general terms), at all.


Please...be honest...and in your own words. Let us know how you feel about this. And for Balto movie fans, SHOULD this actual true story matter at all? Or is it just some thing that is irrelevant to a Balto fan site? I'd like to hear what you have to say, and I think this person with their disparaging comments, and any who may think like that person, NEEDS to hear it.

This even most certainly does matter to me. So many dogs and men risked their lives fighting not only against the bitter cold, but time itself. That is something that had to take a lot of courage and will power to do.

I certainly feel this is a subject that needs more recognition than what it receives. This is a subject I think schools should be educating students about. Though I remember one time when I was in the second grade in 2002, the serum run crossed my path. We read aloud the bravest dog ever, one of the most inaccurate books out there. I was not aware of any of the true history back (I was aware of the animated movie though) then, but I had that sense of that information wasn't right. And ever since then I was out to find the truth. I searched under every rock to squeeze out what I could. I went to my local library and tried to find anything possible. I had to know more.

So in the past 10 years of my awareness of the true story, my passion has grown stronger for it.

I love the true story!
Never heard about it before but it was a pretty awesome event. Not the people dying, obviously, but how all the mushers and their dogs pulled together to save their lives was really lovely.
I also enjoyed hearing about how Balto was saved years later after he ended up in pretty horrid conditions.
I always like reading about what happened to the other dogs too.

When I first saw Balto in 1996, the movie alone had me hooked however those little words "based on a true story" and of course the statue had be wondering. As I discovered more about the historic events the more my interest grew.

For me the historic events add a whole new angle onto the movie that touched my heart in the first place. Personally speaking I wouldn't worry about what others think - if you enjoy it then that is all that matters.

I'll admit that I am not very well-versed in the true history of the Serum Run. Actually, the most reading I've done on it (other than the topics on this site) is from a children's book I used to read all the time when I was in grade school. Despite the story being really summarized, it was a pretty truthful research for me as a young child. In fact, the only reason I ever watched Balto the movie was because I was so interested in this book.

Anyways, to actually answer the question, I think it is extremely important for people to know the real story of Balto. Admittedly, if you are over the age of, say, 16, and still only watch the cartoon movie without having any interest in the real story, there's something wrong with the curiosity part of your brain. As wonderful as the movie is, the real story is absolute inspiration for anyone who is struggling to overcome a seemingly impossible task. It really shows how when a group of people work together and are willing to risk their lives for a cause, they can accomplish anything they want to. Honestly, what would have happened if one of the mushers had decided their part of the journey was too dangerous and decided to stay inside? Anyone of those people could have given up on the little town of Nome, but instead they fought for the lives of those sick.

I would have liked to learn more about the Serum Run in school as well, but unfortunately schools are too busy re-teaching America from colonization to WWII year after year. In sixth grade, though, we did read a book called Stone Fox and learned a bit about the Iditarod. In fact, for my American hero project in eighth grade, I chose Susan Butcher, the first woman to ever win the Iditarod. Obviously, these topics aren't exactly relavent to the true Balto story, but they are connected and both are important to me. I honestly don't know why someone would believe these events don't matter. In the long run, history will remain much longer than an animated film, so it should be obvious which is more important.

Thanks, everyone, for commenting so far!

Your words really drive the point home. While it may not be THE most important thing to Balto fans, they certainly are going to express a certain amount of curiosity about what "the true story of an American hero" means. What this "true story" was all about. It is sad that the tagline makes so many people believe that what is presented in the Balto movie IS the actual story as-is. Especially that wolf-dog part. But that is why people like me (and indeed, myself included) actually do spend time on fan communities like this...to try and correct that misinformation...not only spread by the movie itself, but anywhere else online, in print, etc.

Admittedly, it's not why I came here first. I came here after watching the Balto movies and doing a search for Balto stuff online. Like most people I suspect. And back then I knew next to nothing about the true story. But I delved, looked around, researched, and read up. And learned it from the ground up. It's not taught in schools, though many American schools do touch upon it during anniversary moments...or when the documentaries appear on cable television. I know...I've been contacted by tons of school teachers and administrators thanks to my website...and appeared on an AM radio show in New York City AND in an upcoming documentary in an on-camera interview (the info for which I need to post again...especially that old radio interview). I'm very proud of those accomplishments. AND I've been to Alaska and, more importantly, to Nome itself. I've seen the places, met lots of people in the know, and talked with descendants and experts in the field. A privilege. I've even met and talked with Robert J. Blake, the author of the children's book Togo. There's a man who, even for a children's book, knew how to do some research! He traveled the entire serum run route (even the route of the serum's train run from Anchorage to Nenana), and all at his own expense. Great fellow!

People do actually care. Fans of the animated Balto movies care...to varying degrees (and that's okay...it'd be foolish to think that everyone would be as thrilled about an historical subject as others might be). This was a seminal event in U.S. and world history. Immunization procedures and laws were affected by it. Will Rogers, the great humorist, got serious for nearly the first time in his life when he learned about it, spoke and wrote about it (because one of his sons died of diphtheria). He even DIED in a plane crash attempting to get to Nome a few years later.

It may have been 88 years ago in a far-away place, but it still matters. The effects of it ripple across time...as do the names of the great dogs and people who were central to it. And no crass comments from a fan with a bad attitude will ever change that or diminish it.

The true story does interest me and I think within the Balto fandom it is some important aspect.

When I´ve seen the movie the first time (Airing on television sometime around late 1996( I was too young (about 5 years) to actually care about the real deal behind the movie, I simply enjoyed it.

But when I got the DVD sometime around 2002 I saw the "True story" thing in the bonus features. It was interesting to see what really happened (And the changes they made in the movie) Been reading a few articles about it then and used that knowledge for some sort of school project. (Yay, fun stuff and school put together XD)

Then when I joined this website I started reading through the true story stuff on here and it´s amazing whet those mushers and their dogs did. (Yes JC, you kinda did educate me about that XD)

I think the true story section is important to this website. Without this historic event the movie we all like would never have been made. Every fan should at least read like a basic summary of the true story to get to know what really happened. And who knows reading bits of it might get one or another fan who didn´t really care about it (or wasn´t aware of) intersted in the matter.

Maybe I didn't comment on your topics, but I really enjoyed reading them, especially the one about facts&myths of real Balto and his life.
If "we' want to be a complex Balto fansite, we can't forget that the movie WAS based on a true story. Plus it wouldn't hurt for those people to get some historical education xP

Aaaaaaand my faith in humanity has declined slightly once again.

-

My interest in Balto the film and Balto the true story has also greatly declined within the past years, but when I first joined AS, you can bet your can it mattered. Even obsessed in the true story. I read everything I could find and looked for every historical photograph and was just moved by the true story. If anything I'm grateful for the animated film for inspiring me to find out about Balto, Togo, Fritz, and the others. Though I don't bother with this fandom anymore, I do still think highly of the teams and mushers that participated in the serum run. If anything I care more about that than the cartoon anymore. The cartoon is a made up story with made up characters (even Balto to a point) and a barely similar plot. The true story actually happened. People and dogs alike died and families and friends mourned. Brave men and loyal dogs gave their lives and everything to save their home. How can you NOT be moved or inspired by this story?

In short all I can really say is, yes. And even though I may not think much of the animated movie as anything anymore than an entertaining way to pass an hour or so, the true story will always mean something to me. If anyone else says 'no' to the above poll, I won't disrespect, but I don't think very much of you as a person either.

Well, to be honest, I really don't care at all what this person thinks. Never did. I've never put much stock in anything said or done by this person because, in spite of whom the person may be to other people. (though I cannot reveal that; I won't even reveal the person's gender or age in order to avoid any possible inference that I am flaming)

More to the point, I wanted you all to see what this person had said, and to get your replies.

But I did want to get my finger on the pulse, from a purely altruistic sense, of what everyone else thinks. Not only about what was said, but about the subject matter itself. That's the nobler side of this whole thing.




To those who posted since I followed up, thanks so much guys!

You've made some profound points, and I am really hoping this member sees your comments, and the poll.

You guys are great!

Sorry to double-post here, but it's been a WHILE for this topic, and it is now open again!

So *BUMP!*

Of course the true story matters to me. The real legend is far more interesting than the portrayal of that in an animated movie, which is not accurate and most is not based on true historical facts. As of now, I am hoping to read the true story of Balto, if only I could fine the time.

Yes, the true story does matter to me.

In all honesty, I'm not sure I would be so crazy over Balto if the movie didn't have any history behind it...
When I was a little kid, I used to watch this movie all the time, and I had no idea that the actual history references at the beginning and end of the movie were true. It was only when I learned that the movie contained real events that happened in history did I come to this site, and become a fan of the movie. The history matters to me because it gives the Balto more meaning than just being a cartoon.

Essentially, that's why I enjoyed the 1997 Titanic movie too. The history gives the movie more meaning, and more reason to watch it than just for a romantic story.

There's just more to admire in a movie if it has a historical background.

WOW! That's a really long post. Um... If that member had offered the same opinion without using a swear word, I think it's perfectly okay to be there.

My opinion: The actual true story of Balto is not absolutely essential to this movie fan site. After all, the movie does not represent the true story of Balto, not all fans of the movie are fans of the true Balto as well. Anyway, that's my opinion. And I hope I hit the mark this time on relevance.

Addressing the main subject, I'd say that the true story could stand more attention. I think it's pretty clear that the filmmakers did invent a good many parts of the story for themselves; the idea of a single team transporting the medicine rather than a relay, Balto being a stray, Balto being half-wolf, and the ever-popular Jenna, to name some of the better known examples. As a certain history buff once taught me, and as anyone who reads the true story knows, those parts of the story were made-up. Did the changes make for good storytelling? I think so. Would it have been better to acknowledge those changes and say that the movie was based on a true story, rather than calling it one? You tell me.