The Wild Dogs of Africa
(1973)
Also known as: Solo
A riveting and incredibly dramatic account of African wild dogs, world renowned wildlife cameraman, Hugo van Lawick, explores behaviour and social interactions of a group of these hardy creatures. As the dominant female kills all but one of her subordinate’s pups, the plight of the lone survivor Solo, is interwoven with the wider story of the pack.
Stunning cinematography charts the pack as they hunt, raise their young and engage in brutal battles for dominance. Memorable footage records Solo's desperate attempts to keep up as the pack begins to move, with touching scenes showing his abandonment as, after forty miles, he finally falters.
An outstanding example of van Lawick's distinctive filming style the dogs are presented as individual characters, their unique personalities brought to the forefront as he examines the struggles they face to survive. A respected authority on wild dogs, van Lawick was initially criticised for naming the animals, his anthropomorphic approach deemed too 'unscientific'.
The Wild Dogs of Africa was hugely popular, proving in van Lawick's words, "that you could make a film on individual animals and make it interesting".
