Animation Source Forums

Are you referring to the movie,or the character?

Honestly? I would say that not even 1% of the people you would ask in the streets, would know or remember about it...

It probably depends on who you're talking to, but I'm talking about the general public there, of all ages.

I think, regardless of the country, it depends upon whom you ask:

1. The laypublic (the general public at large) probably don't know much at all about the real history behind Balto 1, and they probably only know of the Balto cartoons (all three, or any one or more of them) because either: a) they showed them to their kids; b) they saw them AS kids; c) they saw them as adults and liked or disliked them anyway; d) they just happened to see them on the shelves of a video rental store or a store that sells DVDs (and video cassettes).

2. Mushers and breeders of most breeds of sled dogs, but specifically of Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Alaskan Klee Klais, Alaskan and Canadian Eskimo Dogs, Samoyeds, and most especially Seppala Sled Dogs will know a great deal about the real history, but may or may not know much about the Balto cartoons (and may have an either loving, neutral or hateful opinion of them).

3. People (kids, teens or adults) into cartoons to varying degrees (from the casual fan to the oddball convention-going extremist) will probably know a great deal about the cartoons, but may or may not know much of anything about the real history.

4. People like myself, who love and appreciate history (or parts of it), probably know a great deal about the real history (if they happen to like and study that period), and may OR may not know and like (or dislike) one or more of the Balto cartoons.

A Personal Afterthought:
Either way, it is a shame that the historical importance of what happened in Alaska, back in 1925, has been generally forgotten. Of course, that is the way of things...with all great moments in history. People just don't care, and don't seem to understand how much history matters. And they REALLY don't seem to understand the old adage (which has always proven to be true), spoken first by George Santayana (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Santayana) which says that "those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it". Most people...kids and teenagers especially (or most of them), seem to have this mistaken idea that history is some unimportant stuff buried in the past, best left for the pages of thick, dusty books and boring required or filler classes in their school schedules. That is a grievous problem...especially in many first world countries, where history is often twisted to serve a particular political agenda or the politically-correct, liberal ideologies. This infuriates people like me, who care about and understand the value of history and the lessons it can teach us.

Okay...I'm climbing down off my soapbox now...

I think 10% or maybe even lower, and if most people know about Balto most people don't like it. Some people in my class know about Balto but think he's dumb. If your talking about if poeple know about the movie maybe 30-40% (maybe not even that high) but if you are referring to how many people actually like him I would say 10% or lower. Sad isn't it. (Ok maybe not cry your eyes out dramatic, lol, but sad).

Most people here don't know about it in UK, maybe odd one or two people up and down the country, (apart from the other fans here) ...

I hope you don't mean the REAL Balto. If so, that is a terrible shame! This is what I meant about people not having an appreciation for history...specifically kids! Of course, our schools don't teach subjects properly anyway. But for kids to have such a disrespect for history is borderline criminal.

Of course, if it's just the cartoon they don't like, well, that is just a matter of opinion, I suppose. I can disagree with their attitude, but I can't say it's not appropriate. People have a right to like or dislike a cartoon as they see fit...no matter how right or wrong they might be in others' eyes.

I have no idea how popular it is here in Scotland. ANd I'm too shy to ask...knowing the people in my school *shudders* My two best friends love it though.

Eh, i'd say about a 10. I'm not a huge fan, i like the movie, i'm not in love with it. But, i did take a survey once. About 8 out of 10 people i asked remeber the movie; 3 out of the 8 liked it.

Here in Romania...I don't know..Probably 20%?
But the rank is Low,since no advertise about it airing here was..so we can't expect here for more.
Apart the fans from here and people I told about none heared...

To SimbasGuard:Thanks for clearing up what the Balto topic is about.