The Boy Who Talked to Badgers (1975)

The Boy Who Talked to Badgers (Dir: Gary Nelson, 1975).

A family drama first aired in two parts on NBC’s The Wonderful World of Disney television series. Difficult to obtain for many years it is now available to watch on the Disney+ streaming service.

Based on Allan W. Eckert’s 1971 novel Incident at Hawk's Hill, The Boy Who Talked to Badgers tells the story of  young farm boy Benjy MacDonald (Christian Jutter). Preferring the company of animals to humans Ben largely disconnects with others, notably his stern father Will (Carl Betz). When out playing in a nearby creek, Ben falls in and is carried downstream. Believing him drowned, his guilt-ridden father organises an extensive search of the surrounding area. Ben, meanwhile is aided by a badger who befriends him and keeps him supplied in raw fish while the boy's injured ankle heals. 

This kind of folksy frontier drama was standard fare for The Wonderful World of Disney, however what passed for family entertainment in 1975 will seem incredibly twee to kids today. Yet, it is not without merit, particularly in its depiction of a child who has difficulty connecting with others. Outsider Ben would probably be diagnosed with Autism today. While the movie draws no such conclusion, his social awkwardness is sensitively handled. Christian Juttner is sympathetic in the lead, but the standout performance come courtesy of Salome Jens, highly effective in her role as Ben’s anguished mother. 

Shot entirely on location in Alberta, Canada the movie features some stunning scenery. Gary Nelson would later direct Disney's big budget space yarn The Black Hole (G. Nelson, 1979) but is at home here with a more Earthly kind of 'space'. The wide-open plains and brilliant blue skies of Alberta look fabulous. Nelson imbues the film with a fresh air, outdoorsy atmosphere and an expansive scope unusual in a TV movie.

I lapped up these Disney animal dramas as a kid and although I cannot recall having previously seen The Boy Who Talked To Badgers, it has a cosy kind of familiarity which resonates with my inner 8 year old. It’s a lot of nonsense really, but is sweetly sentimental, tempered with a surprisingly sober finale. If, like me, you loved The Wonderful World of Disney as a child, you will almost certainly find yourself drawn in by the movie's innocent charm.