The White Dawn
| The White Dawn | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Philip Kaufman |
| Produced by | Martin Ransohoff |
| Written by |
novel James Houston adaptation Martin Ransohoff screenplay James Houston Thomas Rickman |
| Starring |
Warren Oates Timothy Bottoms Louis Gossett Jr. |
| Music by | Henry Mancini |
| Cinematography | Michael Chapman |
| Edited by | Douglas Stewart |
Production company |
American Film Properties Filmways |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date | 21 July 1974 (New York City, New York) |
Running time | 110 minutes |
| Country |
United States Canada |
| Language |
English Inuit |
The White Dawn is a 1974 Canadian/American film, released in 1974, directed by Philip Kaufman and starring Warren Oates, Timothy Bottoms, and Louis Gossett, Jr. It portrays the conflict between aboriginal peoples' traditional way of life and Europeans' eagerness to take advantage of them. The film employs authentic Inuit language dialogue, which adds to the overall realism. It is based on the 1971 novel, The White Dawn: An Eskimo Saga, by James Archibald Houston, who co-wrote the screenplay.
Plot
When three whalers become stranded in Northern Canada’s Arctic in 1896, they are rescued by Inuit. In the beginning, the Inuit accept the strangers' European ways, but as this increasingly influences and affects their customs, things slowly fall apart and cultural tension grows until the climax.
Cast
- Warren Oates – Billy – Main Antagonist
- Timothy Bottoms – Daggett – Main Protagonist
- Louis Gossett, Jr. – Portagee
- Joanasie Salomonie – Kangiak
- Pilitak – Neevee – Daggett's lover
- Simonie Kopapik – Sarkak / Sark – Tribe Leader
- Akshooyooliak – Old Mother
- Namonai Ashoona – Nowya
- Atcheelak – Hunters
- Tchomalai – Ratchepa
- Higa Ipeelie – Evaloo
- Oolipika Joamie – Mia
- Meetook Mallee – Ikuma
- Neelak – Panee
- Seemee Nookiguak – Avinga
- Jacob Partridge – Archer
- Sagiaktok – Shaman