AllMovie

Although it was no Nanook of the North, this documentary about Eskimo life, as recorded by explorer Earl Rossman, does feature beautiful color shots of the Aurora Borealis. The real-life tale concerns Aguvaluk, who wants to marry Kivalina, the fairest girl of the tribe. Nashulik, the witch doctor, however, tells him that before he can have her, he must pay off his father's debts. As a result, he has to capture 40 seals while the rest of the tribe hunts walruses and a white whale. To make up the interest on the debt, Aguvaluk has to travel several hundred miles to capture a rare silver fox. On the way back, he is caught in a storm and has to quickly build an igloo for protection from the elements. The next day, he finds his reindeer have run off. He tracks them down, and kills the smallest one for food and for its hide. When he finally returns home, he is allowed to wed Kivalina.