Illustration : Unknown

Survival Element
 

Kent Bateman | USA | 1977

Supposedly based around a true-life story, as recounted in the novel Challenge to Survive (in reality a work of fiction written by Grindhouse legend Donn Davison), this ‘G’ rated effort was a decidedly a-typical example of the ‘alone in the wilderness’ genre which petered out in the early 1980’s. Singer, Mel “The Velvet Fog” Tormé, succeeds in the lead role, but co-star William Shatner’s input comes across as more of an afterthought. Featuring a handful of stunningly filmed outdoor moments, from cinematographer João Fernandes (Deep Throat), schlock fans will recognise director Kent Bateman as the man behind the outrageously demented cult classic Headless Eyes.

Whilst flying to Burbank, to pick up a television award, animal wrangler Zak O’Brien encounters a severe weather storm and crashes his light aircraft with his two animals — Romulus, a wolf and a golden eagle named Caesar. Romulus takes off alone, leaving Zak and Caesar to take refuge in a nearby cave. Aerial search parties are dispatched, orchestrated by Zak’s producer friend Curt Bonnell (William Shatner), but due to adverse weather conditions, these end in failure.

Concluding that a rescue is unlikely, Zak constructs a makeshift sledge and sets off with his feathery companion, Caesar, who catches small animals and dutifully returns the quarry for their survival. Zak is further dismayed upon learning (via his walking-talkie) that the official search has been called off, and Bonnell is left to fund the continued search alone.

The increasingly weakening Zak, struggling to cope in the harsh freezing climate, receives a glimmer of hope when the pilot of a scouting helicopter spots a golden eagle with trailing jesses. Concluding that it must be Caesar — Zak’s eagle, will they be able to reach Zak in time?

 

First released as Land of No Return on Barry Goddard’s early Video Unlimited label in April 1983, post-VRA distributor Warad Movies on Video's imprint appeared three years later in 1986; a video generated title of The Survival Element concealed the film's original name.

Notably, in what transpired to be a rare exception for the label, Warad released the film  twice in consecutive years: in late 1986, using artwork that was blatantly plagiarised from VPD’s The Rogue and Grizzly (coincidentally co-directed by Kent Bateman!), and then again in 1987 with freshly produced artwork – perhaps prompted by complaints received from VPD…? 

The later (and more common) 1987 release is shown here.

 

aka : Snowman; Challenge to Survive; Land of No Return; Zak

cast : Mel Tormé, William Shatner, Donald Moffat, Mildred Hinkley, Bea Morris