Balto Film Script

(The movie opens in Central Park, New York City. A Grandma and her Granddaughter are walking through the park, with their dog Blaze. They are looking for something. . .)
Grandma: It was here. . .someplace.
Granddaughter: But we've already been past here!
Grandma: The trees. . .have grown so big. It's been so long since my last visit. (They go down another path)
Granddaughter: Come, Blaze. Grandma, when was the last time you were here?
Grandma: Years and years ago, way before you were born, sweetheart.
Granddaughter: Oh look, Blaze's found a squirrel!
Grandma: Now, just a minute. I'm trying to get my bearings. Oh. . .there are so many paths here. It's so easy to get turned around. Come on, darling.
Granddaughter: Grandma, we're in the middle of nowhere!
Grandma: (Laughs) We're right in the middle of New York City!
Granddaughter: But you're gonna make yourself tired walking so long.
Grandma: Nonsense, it hasn't been more than a quarter of an hour. (Granddaughter stops, and passes her hat to her Grandma) Not much furthur.
Granddaughter: Blaze is getting tired.
Grandma: Oh, I see. (Looks at hat, as if remembering something)
Granddaughter: Grandma, what are we looking for, anyway?
Grandma: A memorial (Joins her Granddaughter at bench)
Granddaughter: A ma-what?
Grandma: A reminder of a wonderful story. And a place very far away from here.
Granddaughter: What place is that, Grandma?
Grandma: Nome, Alaska. It's a small town almost on top of the world. Now that really was in the middle of nowhere, sweetheart. In the cold winter of 1925, it was snowing hard. Back then the fastest and most reliable way of getting around was with teams of dogs pulling long sleds. Races were held every year. . . to find out the best team. And the competition was very fierce. . .

(Live action scene ends, animated sequences begin) (Outside the isolated town of Nome, Alaska, a dogsled race is being held. Steele is the leader of one team. They race across the blinding white snow towards the town. They approach a crack in the rocky hillside wide just wide enough to let them through. For one dog, Star, the crack is too narrow for comfort.) Star: Steele! We're not gonna make it! (Steele gives him a swift kick to the face. He is racing neck and neck with another team. He snaps at one of the other team's dogs and the dog stumbles. The other team crashes. Steele's team is guaranteed victory.) Leader of Crashed Team: Arrrghh! Steele! (A man send off a flare when he sees the team coming)
Man: Three mile marker! (In Nome, Balto is hoping to see the end of the race. He lifts up Boris with his mouth)
Boris: Balto! Get your slobbering mouth off me!
Balto: Come on, let's go Boris! We can cut around the back and catch the end of the race.
Boris: No, no, no! I'm. . .a delicate, country bird. I hate going into town!
Balto: Awwww. . .come on, what's the worst that can happen?
Boris: Hoy!
(They go racing through town, with Boris pleading him not to take him.)
Boris: Please! Why do I let you talk me into these things?
(He falls into the butcher's shop and is about to be decapitated when Balto pulls him out)
Butcher: Bring that back, you thief!
(Boris' head is in Balto's mouth again)
Boris: You are putting me down now? Mr. Golden Retriever?
Balto: Whatever you say, Boris.
Boris: Every time there's a race, you run around like you're in it!
Balto: One day I. . .will be.
(Balto is on the move again)
Boris: Heel, boy! Boris Goosenov is no spring chicken! (Falls into the snow) Heyyyy! I'm no spring penguin either! It's cold! (Shivers)
(The dogs are approaching the town.)
Man: Look! The two mile mark!
Balto: Come on, we don't want to miss the finish.
Boris: Whoa, that would be a tragedy. (Falls in snow when Balto brushes past him) I was being sarcastic.
(In Mr Johansson's shop, Rosy's parents are about to give her a sled)
Rosy's Father: Okay, you can open your eyes now.
Rosy: (Excited) Ohhh! I love these runners, I love this brush bow, I love this sled!
(Jenna enters, barking)
Jenna, Jenna! You're lead dog! Okay, just a minute! Come on, mush!
Rosy's Mother: Then you'll need... this. (Puts musher's hat on Rosy's head)
Rosy: A real musher's hat! We're a real sled team now! Mush!
Rosy's Father: Mr Johansson, the sled is beautiful!
Rosy's Mother: We're very grateful.
Rosy: Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!
Rosy's Father: Rosy's grateful too, huh?
Mr Johansson: Yeah, so I gather.
Rosy: Watch this!
Rosy's Mother: Coming, sweetheart.
Rosy's Father: I don't know, maybe we should have gotten her the doll house.
(Another flare explodes)
Rosy: The one mile marker! Mush, Jenna, mush! Let's win this race! Woohoo!
Rosy's Mother: I think she'll learn to like it. (She kisses her husband)
(Rosy drives down the street and calls to Jenna to slow down)
Rosy: Jenna, easy girl. Woah.
(Dixie and Sylvie meet up with Jenna)
Dixie: Good morning, Jenna! Ought to be a close race, don't you think? Maybe even neck and neck? (shows off her collar)
Sylvie: Say something about her new collar before she gets whiplash.
Jenna: Uh, Dixie, what a pretty collar, is it new?
Dixie: What, this old thing? Yeah! Do you think, um, Steele will notice?
Jenna: I'm afraid the only way Steele notices anyone is if they're wearing a mirror!
(The dogs are heading through town.)
Rosy: Jenna, stay girl! Jenna! Hold on . . . Come on, Steele! (Rosy waves, but the wind snatches her hat away. It lands in the street, where the dogs will be running.) Oh no! My hat! (She tries to run after it but Jenna grabs her sleeve. Balto decides to get her hat. He follows the other dogs and catches up with Steele, who is winning)
Townspeople: It's that stray dog! He'll ruin the race!
Boris: (Looking for Balto. . .then sees him) Arrrggh!
Steele: Hey! Out of my way, lobo!
(Steele snaps at him, but misses. Balto races ahead, grabs the hat and jumps out of the way. Steele wins the race.)
Boris: When will you learn to stay on the sidelines? (Sled goes by and sprays him with snow)
(In telegraph office)
Telegraph Operator: To Juno Daily Chronicle. Stop. Steele wins first race of season. Stop. Three time winner keeps golden collar. Stop. Nome. Stop. That Steele is some dog, huh, Morse? (Pats his dog on the head)
(Steele's three dog gang congratulate Steele)
Nikki: Congratulations dere, boss, dere. It was a pleasure running behind youse. Of course. . .the view got monotonous. . .
Kaltag: You were the most amazing, the most exalted, the most preiminant, the most top-drawer...
Star: You won! Ha ha ha ha ha! (Kaltag whacks him on the head) Whoooooo!
(Photographer is taking Steele's picture)
Musher: Hmmmm. I dunno, you think, maybe, Steele's losing his edge?
Photographer: Yeah, looks like just about any dog could outrun him.
(Steele is not pleased. He turns at the sound of Balto's name. Balto gives Rosy her hat.)
Rosy: Balto! What a crazy thing to do! Just to show off for a pretty girl. (Eyes Jenna and grins. Balto and Jenna look at each other) I'm sure Jenna would love to have you on our team!
Rosy's Father: Hey hey hey! Rosy, stay away from him! (Kicks snow at Balto)
Rosy: Dad!
Rosy's Father: He might bite ya honey, he's part wolf. (Balto cringes when he says part wolf. He slinks off)
Rosy: Well, now you've hurt his feelings!
Rosy's Father: Come on, now.
(Steele begins walking towards Jenna, but Sylvie and Dixie jump in front of him)
Dixie: Congratulations and felicitations, Steele!
Steele: Ladies. (Dixie is excited) Hi there, Jenna. Enjoy the race?
Jenna: Yeah. Almost as much as you did.
Steele: (Unfazed) Thanks. Jenna, let's go celebrate. I know where all the bones are buried.
Jenna: I don't know Steele, suddenly I've lost my appetite.
Steele: (Looks at Balto) Ohhhh. . .well maybe your taste runs more toward. . .wolf.
(Jenna turns, annoyed)
Rosy: Jenna, come on girl! We're going back home!
Jenna: Sorry Steele. My girl is calling me.
Dixie: (Bats at Steele's collar) On the other hand. . .my girl is away at boarding school. (Steele grins and walks away)
(Balto and Boris walk through an alleyway. Boris tries to say something comforting. . .but fails. Balto hears something.)
Rosy: Jenna! (Balto runs towards the sound, and almost collides with Jenna. Their noses touch)
Jenna: Ooohhhh. . . (Balto sits, then smiles at her)
Balto: Heh, Jenna. . .I er. . .heh.
Rosy's Father: Jenna!
Rosy: Jen! Come on! (She looks for Balto again, but he's gone. She sniffs around and leaves. Balto is watching from his hiding place)
Boris: Balto, there are some things I can't do for you. I'm goose. . .not Cupid.
Steele: Didn't make the team, Bingo?
Boris: Don't listen to him. . .don't look at him. Live a long life.
Balto: My name's Balto.
Boris: But you can call him... idiot.
Steele: I'm sorry. . .Balto. Balto the half-breed. (His gang joins him, laughing.) Frail Goose! You a half-breed too, huh?
Boris: Oh no!
Steele: Part... turkey? (knocks Boris into a roasting pan)
Nikki: Good word play, dere boss.
Kaltag: You are the wittiest, the quickest. You're the drollest, the cleverest. . . the sharpest. You're the most hilarious...
Star: You crack me up! Ha ha ha ha! (Kaltag whaps him again) Woo hoo hoo hoo!
Balto: Steele! Just leave him out of this!
Steele: Oh, Balto. (slaps Balto across the face with his tail) I've got a message for your mother. Awooooo!
(Steele's gang joins in)
Kaltag: Hi mom! (laughing) Hey Balto, translate this for me will ya! Heh! Awooo!
Star: What's wolf for, 'Go chase your tail'?
(Balto growls and starts to walk towards Steele and his gang. Boris grabs his tail and tries to hold him back)
Boris: Balto stop! Woaaahhhh!
Kaltag: Whoa. . .uh oh!
Steele: Get him. (His gang starts barking at Balto.) Get out of here, wolf dog. You'd better get back to your pack. (Spit lands on Balto's face. He gets more angry. Boris intervenes.)
Boris: Maybe it's the unrelenting fear talking, but I'm seeing wisdom in this advice. Maybe we go now, huh? NOW!(Pushes Balto away. They kick snow at Balto, and a rock hits Balto. He crashes against some trash cans and runs off)
Nikki: Half wolf in the side pocket, dere!
Kaltag: That was the most dead center, the most on target, the most down the middle...
Star: Ya hit him! Heh heh heh heh! (Kaltag gets him on the jaw. Steele laughs, then leaves.)
Nikki: Dat son of a...
Kaltag: He is the most malicious, the most disgusting, the most obnoxious, the most revolting, the most repulsive, the...
Star: He's no lap dog! A heh heh! (Whacks himself on the head.)
(Balto is on his way to his boat. He smells something, and sees a pack of wolves in the distance. They howl at him, and he is ashamed. He ignores them and goes to his boat)
Boris: Not a dog. . .not a wolf. All he knows is what he's not. If only he could see what he is. Oy.
(Decides to cheer him up. He acts like a dog, holding a bone in his mouth and lapping from a water bowl. Balto ignores him, and lies down. Not long after, a noisy toy rolls across the floor. Boris does a frantic Russian dance. That attempt fails, so he joins Balto. Balto sees a flock of geese flying.)
Balto: Homesick, Boris? You ever think of going back?
Boris: Don't fret, Fido. I'm sticking here until I'm sure you can stand on all four feet, hmmm? (Begins mopping the floor)
Balto: You're... taking care of me?
Boris: Don't thank me.
Balto: (Balto chuckles. He gets up and sniffs the air) I smell. . .herring!
Boris: The herring are flying south, too.
Balto: Heeyyy. . .must be Muk and Luk!
Boris: Oh hah! Good news!
Muk: (From a distance) Uncle Boorrisss!
Boris: Oh no!
Balto: How sweet. . .'Uncle Boris!' (Muk and Luk come bounding onto the boat)
Boris: No hugging! No licking!
Muk: Uncle Boris!
Boris: Hoy! (Luk grabs Boris anbd starts licking him Luk mumbles something)
Muk: He says, he's glad to see you! We love you, Uncle Boris!
(Boris loses some feathers in the struggle to get away from them. He plants them back in and snatches one from Luk's paw. Luk starts to cry)
Muk: What are you talkin' about? Of course he's glad to see us. He loves us. Don't you?
Boris: Okay, okay. Hey Boitshicks! Let's play a game.
Muk: Yes, please, Uncle Boris!
Boris: Race you to the shore, one two three go! (He lets them run off.) They win. (Then there are splashing sounds.)
Muk: Help! Help! We can't swim! Help! Help! We're drowning! We're drowning! Save us! Please (Balto and Boris race down to investigate. They are amused to discover that Muk and Luk are splashing about in very shallow water.)
Boris: Bears! Fellas! Idiot balls of fluff!
Balto: Easy Boris, you know how they are. Muk, Luk! Relax! Hey come on, you're okay. You're not drowning.
Boris: He has point, bears. You are not drowning because if you will pause one moment you will observe perhaps, tide is out!
(Luk mumbles something.)
Boris: He said... what?
Muk: Oh, the shame of the polar bear who fears the water! No wonder we are shunned by our fellow bear. Woe is us!
is what he said. Kinda pathetic, really.
Boris: What, more wimpering? Between you and Balto is like Dostoyevski novel around here. Lighten up!
(Balto is watching the town, a smile on his face. Boris is intrigued.)
Boris: And what is so interesting?
Balto: Jenna.
Boris: Is love. So go make move! When the angels' balalaika's strum the sweet song of love? Mambo! (Does a little dance)
Balto: Nah. . .she's not my type.
Boris: And why not? This wolf business again? And what's wrong with being half and half I like to know!
Sometimes, I wish like crazy I was half eagle!
Balto: Why?
Boris: Better profile, for one thing. And no one eats you for another!
(Rosy has caught something and is at the hospital. Jenna is waiting outside, and barks when she sees Rosy.)
Rosy: Jenna? Jenna! Jenna! Hi girl! (They start to play, but Rosy begins coughing. Her father comes outside.)
Rosy's Father: Rosy! Rosy, come on. You're gonna catch your death out here.
Rosy: Okay, Dad.
Rosy's Father: Come on, honey, the doctor's waiting. (The door closes. Jenna is concerned and sits beside the window. The doctor is examining Rosy. Balto sees Jenna and wants to talk to her. He checks himself in a puddle, and tries unsuccessfully to stop the fur on his head sticking up.)
Balto: Jenna? Uh... Jenna.
Jenna: Balto. Hi.
Balto: Hi. (Jenna continues looking through the window) Look, uh, it's just a shot in the dark, but I was wondering if ah, I dunno, maybe you'd like to go. . .chase a few sticks by moonlight? A heh heh! (He notices her sad face and is concerned. He sits next to her at the window.)
Balto: Jenna?
Jenna: Rosy's in there.
Balto: In a hospital? Why?
Jenna: She feels warm. . .she has a terrible cough. Balto, what's wrong with her?
Balto: I'm not sure, but I know how to find out. Come on. (He leads her to a wooden door) I have the keys to the city. (He pulls the pins out of the hinges and opens the door. He waits for Jenna, holding out his paw.) After you.
Jenna: (Notices his big paw) Balto!
Balto: A heh, big paws kinda run in my family. At least, ahhh... one side of my family.
(Jenna follows him through the boiler room and into a tunnel.) Stay close.
Jenna: Heh! No problem there. It's so gloomy down here. . .not that I'm scared or anything. (She is surprised by a large spider web, which Balto swipes away with his tail.)
Balto: Gloomy? You kiddin'? It's the most beautiful spot in the world! Dogs travel for years just to be right here.
(They see a gloomy room underneath the hospital)
Jenna: I can't see why.
Balto: That's 'cause you're looking at the bowl half empty. (Pushes broken bottles in front of the light) You see this? It's the polar icecaps.
Jenna: Balto, those are broken bottles. And they're not half empty, they're all empty.
Balto: (Motions towards the light and smiles.) The sun. . .
Jenna: (Amused) Balto! (Balto moves away from the bottles)
Balto: And to the North. . .(The wall becomes a shimmering curtain of light. Jenna is amazed.)
Jenna: The Northern Lights! Oh! Balto, you're right. It's beautiful. (While Jenna continues to stare at the lights, Balto is looking at her. He sighs. )
Balto: Yeah. . .beautiful. (Jenna looks at him, and it looks like their noses will touch again. But they are interrupted by the disappearance of the light. The doctor has turned off the light in Rosy's room, above them.)
Doctor: Goodnight, Rosy.
Rosy: I'm so. . .cold. . .
Doctor: Well I have another blanket for you right here, you just stay warm and get some rest. (He walks to where Rosy's father is waiting.)
Rosy's Father: Doctor, how is she?
Doctor: (Tired) Exhausted from coughing. And her fever's getting worse. Looks like diphtheria. (He sees that there are no vials of diphtheria antitoxin. He picks up a bottle of Aspirin.) She's the eighteenth case this week. . .and I'm out of antitoxin.
(Jenna is upset and leaves. Balto follows her out of the room.)
Balto: Jenna! Jenna, I'm sorry. I. . .Jenna. . .I . . .I didn't mean to upset you. (They are now in the boiler room again)
I shouldn't have taken you down there.
Jenna: No, I'm glad you did. (There is a crash, and Steele falls down outside the door, planks falling everywhere. He kicks them aside and enters the room. He has a chain of stolen sausages in his mouth) Steele.
Steele: Well, well, what's wrong with this picture? Jenna, join me for dinner. (Throws the chain around her. He pulls her closer.) You start at one end, I'll start at the other, when we get to the middle, well. . .heh heh. . .you tell me!
Balto: All right, Steele. Rowf! (bites at the chain of sausages)
Jenna: No, Balto. (She begins to flirt with Steele) Gee, Steele, I have to admit your offer is very tempting.
Steele: It is. . .heh heh heh heh!
Jenna: (She backs him up against the boiler door. . .which is very hot.) But these days, I prefer my meat. . .cooked.
(Steele's rear end begins to smoke. He yells in pain and the other two escape.)
Balto: Come on! Let's go! (Steele crashes through the door and lands on top of them.)
Butcher: What's all the noise?
Rosy's Father: I think it's over here!
Balto: Jenna, come on!
(They run off a short distance, then Steele sees that the butcher is looking for the thief. He throws the sausages at Balto and knocks him over)
Rosy's Father: Looks like Balto's found his way into your meat locker.
Butcher: It's a good thing Steele was here. (gives Steele the sausages. Steele chews them hungrily) Good boy, Steele. You've earned these. Besides, I can't do anything with them after that wild animal's touched them!
Rosy's Father: Go on! Get out of here you thief! (kicks snow at Balto, making him run away. Jenna tries to follow but Rosy's Father grabs her bandanna) Come on, Jenna. Let's go home.
(Balto runs past the front of the hospital, where Mr. Johanssen is putting up a QUARANTINE sign on the door. A telegraph is sent to Anchorage requesting medicine)
Telegraph Operator: Anchorage. Stop. Repeat urgent request. More diphteria antitoxin.
Stop. Nome in grave danger. Stop. Please help. Stop. (a ship tries to make it to Nome, but cannot get through the thick ice)
Telegraph Operator: Nome. Pack ice closing in. Cannot send antitoxin by sea. Will try by air.
(a plane taxies down the runway, but stops and turns off its engine. The blizzard is worse and it cannot fly)
Telegraph Operator: Nome. Storm at airport. Planes grounded until storm clears. Many regrets. From Juneau, office of the governor. We are shipping antitoxin by rail. Stop. Train line ends at town of Nenana. Stop. Select fastest dogs for sled team to carry antitoxin from Nenana to Nome. Stop. God willing, train will make it through. Stop.
(The next day, they are holding a race to find the fastest dog team. Steele is inspecting the line of dogs.)
Dixie: Just look at him! He's gonna save the entire town! He's positively. . .mag-nesium!
Jenna: It's not exactly a one dog show, Dixie. They're racing to see who's going to be on the dogsled team.
Dixie: What's with you, Jenna? Steele's a genuine hero, but did you give him a sniff?
Sylvie: That's because Jenna is running with Balto. (Dixie squeals in surprise) She was seen in the the boiler room the other night with Balto, and they went in together and they left together. And I heard it all from a very reliable source, and don't bother to deny it.
Jenna: (Calmly) Well, then I won't.
Sylve: I'm speachless.
Man: All mushers! Get yer dogs ready! (Boris and Balto are on the fence watching them get ready.)
Boris: Balto. Racing in a spectator sport, it requires very little preparation! You sit, you arrange refreshments. (Grabs a box and takes out a white flake) You like potato chip? (Eats it, then a bubble comes out his mouth. He reads the label on the box. . .Soap Flakes.)
Balto: I'm not watching the race. . .I'm running it.
Boris: (Splutters) You said what?!
Balto: Hey, look. I wanna help Rosy get better. I can get that medicine through.
Boris: First of all, get it through your head that they wouldn't put you in a sled team even if you did win, which won't happen and if it did it wouldn't matter!
Balto: Boris, did 'ya ever think maybe you're the reason the other geese fly south?
Boris: (Miffed) If only your feet were as fast as your mouth.
Balto: Hey, they're starting! Wish me luck!
Boris: Luck? I don't wish you luck, I wish you SENSE! (Balto leaves. After pause, quietly) Good luck, kiddo.
(Balto joins the other dogs at the starting line. They are surprised to see him)
Kaltag: Balto? What, are you nuts? If Steele catches you around here he's gonna turn ya into kibble!
Nikki: Let us let the halfdog race. It will be fun watching him eat our snow.
Musher: Get set! (fires a starting pistol. The race begins, and the female dogs are surprised to see Balto.)
Jenna: Balto?
Dixie: What's he think he's doing? (Nikki and Kaltag try to block Balto.)
Boris: (To himself) Go Balto, come on, come on. (Looks around to see if anyone is watching) BALTO GO!
(The other dogs knock him onto the ice. Balto spins in circles.)
Boris: Hey! That's a foul! Where's the referee, is he blind? (Balto climbs onto a post and jumps from post to post.)
Balto: Go Balto, go! Jump jump jump! Heeyyyyy! Balto! That's my boy!
Jenna: Go Balto!
(Then he jumps on a barrel and over a boat.)
Boris: Balto, where are you going? That's the long way. . .Balto get back in the race!
(Balto jumps from boat to boat, and leaps off, right in front of the lead dog in the race. Nikki stops in surprise and a another dog steps on him, shoving his face into the snow)
Dog: Sorry! (Nikki lifts up his face. . .his mouth is full of snow)
Boris: Whose eating who's snow now, mutt?!
(Balto runs the last leg of the race and crosses the finish line first. The crowd cheers and Jenna is happy to see that Balto has won)
Boris: Ha ha! Did I teach him well! I could kiss that crazy pooch! (Steele walks by Balto, ignoring him)
Steele: Okay, Nikki, Kaltag, Star... move it. We're strapping up!
Balto: Hey now. Just a second here, Steele. I was the fastest dog.
Steele: You were that fastest. . .what? Do you honestly think any musher would put you on his team? (Circles him menacingly) You're even more mixed up than I thought.
Jenna: Steele, it doesn't matter who's on the team. As long as the medicine gets through. Stop being such a glory hound!
Steele: You're a hundred percent right, Jenna. I wasn't thinking about those children.
The important thing here is to get the medicine through. And that's just what I'm gonna do. (Intimidates Balto) And when I get back. . .I'm gonna fold you five ways and leave you for a cat toy. (musher approaches with another man)
Musher: Steele! (Steele tries to act innocent and jumps up on the musher)
Musher: Good dog, Steele. Good boy. Now, let's take a look at our winner here. (reaches down towards Balto) Let's take a look at our winner...
(Steele slams his paw on Balto's. Balto growls in pain. The musher is shocked, and backs off.)
Musher: Nah. We can't trust this one. He's part wolf.
Other man: You see those teeth?
Musher: He might turn on me. Nikki, Kaltag, Star. Let's go! (Steele smirks, then leaves)
Jenna: (Gives Balto a sympathetic look) Balto, I'm sorry-
Balto: Better not talk to me, Jenna. I'm might turn on you. (He leaves)
Jenna: Balto, wait. Balto!
(At night, the dogsled team prepares to leave. The telegraph operator hangs a lantern outside his office)
Telegraph Operator: Yep. As long as there's hope for those kids I'll keep this lit. It'll guide the team back.
(As they leave Nome, Balto watches them on his boat, disappointed that he didn't get his chance to help Rosy. The dogs race across the frozen wilderness until they reach the train at Nenana. The medicine is in a wooden box and is tied to the sled. But they run into a storm and are lost. )
Star: Steele! Maybe we should go back! We're lost!
Steele: I am not lost!
Star: Lost? Heh heh! Did I say lost? No, you didn't let me finish. . .see, what I wanted to say was. . .
Steele: This way!
(Back in Nome, the Telegraph Operator receives terrible news. Morse finds the other dogs and barks out the message in Morse Code. One of the dogs deciphers it.)
Doc: It's terrible, my friends. Just terrible. Steele and his team. . .are lost.
Dogs: No! Steele! Well, how come?
Doc: They missed their second checkpoint. They're off the trail.
Dog: Can't they send another team?
Doc: No. It is too dangerous for us. And our men.
Dog: But what about. . .them little ones?
Doc: The medicine won't be here in time. We're going to lose them.
(Balto is watching from a distance.)
Balto: Rosy. (He sees the carpenter working on something. He is building coffins. Balto is shocked. In the hospital, Rosy is more ill.)
Rosy's Father: Please Doctor, it's the only medicine we've got.
Doctor: Okay. (Rosy's Mother brings in Jenna. She goes up to her bed.)
Rosy: (Weakly) Jenna? (She passes out. Jenna lays her head on the bed. Balto is now determined to find the lost sled team. Boris tries to convince him otherwise.)
Boris: Balto, please! Don't go crazy on me now! Oh! (Falls in snow) This is foolishness! You will die like a dog! Oh. . .no offense. (Falls into pipe) Whoaa! You will be frozen stiff by morning! When you are big frozen stiff statue named Balto, don't come running to me! (Muk and Luk go sliding on the ice, colliding with Boris. Luk hums something) Muk: He says...
Boris: Where is he going? He's going into freezing coldness to find a dog he doesn't like to bring medicine back to a town that doesn't like him! Oh no! I am beginning to understand the bear!
Muk: Yes! Yes, count us in!
Boris: Bears! Dogs! (Balto grabs Boris by the head and takes him to the hospital window.) No brains at all! Might as well be talking to hu... mans. . .(He sees Rosy struggling for breath in her bed. He is silent for a moment, then turns.)
So, let's go get the medicine.
Balto: Wait a minute. . .now you're coming?
Boris: Spending days in bitter cold, facing wild animals, risking death from exposure?
Heh heh heh heh! Is like holiday in Old Country.
Muk: Wow. Great, we're going on 'oliday! (The four of them start walking away from Nome) (Jenna is outside the hospital window. She rests her head on the windowsill in sadness. She picks up a familiar scent. She notices paw prints leading away from the window and off towards the forest.)
Jenna: Balto.
( Muk, Luk, Boris and Balto are now in the forest. Balto scratches the bark off a tree.)
Boris: Good Balto, you took on the roughest, toughest, meanest tree in the forest... and you won! Hmph!
Balto: I'm marking the trail.
Muk: (pretending to fight with the tree... stops) Huh? He's marking our trail. He's very clever. (Luk licks the tree trunk)
Boris: And here I've been dropping bread crumbs. Yeesh.
Muk: I spy with my little eye, something beginning with. . .S ("S" echoes)
(They are now far from Nome, heading towards the mountains. Balto sniffs the air. He can smell...)
Balto: Steele.
Boris: Hey, bears!
Balto: Come on. Steele and his team passed this way.
Boris: Boy, is he lost.
(We now see Steele and his team. There is snow everywhere, and they have lost all sense of direction)
Star: Steee-le! We're going in circles!
Steele: WHAT?
Star: Circles is a good thing. (Spins in circles, he becomes entangled in his straps) I mean they're uh... they're circular!
Steele: (Looks around) I know what I'm doing! It's. . .this way! Come on!
Dogs: Whoaa! (The team race through the snow, hoping to find the track, but they suddenly find themselves on sliding down a hill. They crash into a heap of snow and are thrown all over the place. The musher is thrown from the sled and is knocked unconscious.)
Nikki: Oww! I hit my head on somethin'.
Kaltag: Yeah, my head. (The dogs see that the musher is hurt)
Dog: Looks like he's hurt bad, Steele.
Star: What are we gonna do now, Steele? (Steele shivers and does not speak)
(Muk and Luk have a snowball fight. They hit Boris)
Muk: Brilliant! Right on the beak! What a bullseye! Ha ha ha ha ha ha!
Boris: That did it! Who did that?
Muk: It was 'im! (Pointing to Luk. Luk mumbles and points back at Muk)
Balto: (He begins to get nervous. . .he thinks he heard a noise in the distance)
Guys. . .I think we should keep moving.
Boris: (Irritated) Is that your answer to all problems, motion?
Balto: Luk! Muk! Come one, let's get going!
Boris: (To himself) Come on, boys, let's go boys, faster boys! (To Balto) Easy to say for a guy with four legs! (Snowball hits him) Okay. . .that's it. Is time for goose to kick a little bear butt! (Muk and Luk are terrified and are pointing to something behind him) Aha! Finally! Your old Uncle Boris is making an impression! Now what? (He feels something behind him. . .It's a huge black bear, and it's not happy. Boris' jaw drops. Balto attacks, but is hit by the bear. The bear begins to push him into the snow. Suddenly there is a battle cry, and another dog is attacking the bear.
Balto: Jenna? (She fights the bear bravely but is thrown off several times. Meanwhile, Muk and Luk are hiding under a branch. The bear goes after Balto, and then Balto slides down the slope onto the frozen lake. The bear follows him onto the ice, but it cracks. Balto watches in horror as cracks appear on the ice underneath his feet. The bear falls into the water and drowns. Balto is trapped on a sheet of ice which is about to flip over, pushing him into the icy water.)
Muk: Balto!
Boris & Jenna: No!
Muk: Geronimo! (Without a second's thought, the polar bears jump into the water.)
Jenna: (She runs to the hole in the ice) Luk! Muk!
Boris: They cannot swim!
Jenna: What? Polar bears who can't swim? (The bears see Balto desperately breathing the small bubbles of air trapped under the ice. Jenna scratches the snow off the ice and sees Balto underneath. He is swept away.) He's drowning!
No! (She runs over to Boris, whose head is immersed in the water) Well?
Boris: (His head is covered with small icicles, when he sneezes they fall off) I don't see them!
Jenna: Where are they? (In the distance, the polar bears emerge from the water, dragging a waterlogged Balto with them) Balto!
Boris: Balto! Ha ha ha! (Trips on a crack in the ice) Hoy! (He goes sliding, is launched off an inclined piece of ice, and crashes into Muk, who in turn crashes into Balto. A bucket load of water comes out of Balto, but he remains still.)
Boris: Come to life, come to life. . .BREATHE! Come on. . . (starts slapping Balto's cheeks to wake him up)
Muk: Is-he-gonna-be-okay-is-he-gonna-be-okay-coz-he's-not-breathing-he-doesn't-look-very-well-- Stop hitting him, Uncle Boris, stop hitting him! (Balto stirs and coughs)
Boris: Balto! I was so scared, I got people bumps!
Balto: Boris, COUGH, I know you think this trip is crazy but, COUGH, I'm glad you came.
Boris: Who else should you bring on a wild goose chase, but a goose, eh? Heh heh heh heh!
Balto: Are you okay?
Jenna: Are you okay?
Balto: Jen-
Balto & Jenna: Heh!
Jenna: I'm fine. (Balto is still freezing, so Jenna lies on him to keep him warm.) Look, a message came through, we have to take the mountain trail.
Balto: (Shivering) But, if we take Eagle Pass, it'll save us half a day.
Jenna: It's blocked. The mountain trail is dangerous, but we can do it.
Balto: (Smiling) I'm beginning to see there isn't anything you can't do.
Boris: I'm seeing a few things too. . .and it's making the ice melt. . .(Luk shakes himself, spraying Boris with water)
I HATE BEARS!
Balto: (Giving them a grin) You two guys oughta learn how to swim someday. . .you'll be very good at it.
(Luk mumbles something)
Muk: Yes, of course we were, we were in the water, we were moving, we got wet, didn't we, we. . .Luk! We were swimming!
(Balto laughs. Jenna is trying to walk but collapses in the snow. Her leg is hurt)
Jenna: Ah! Clumsy.
Balto: No you're not, you're hurt.
Jenna: I'm fine. Ah! (Falls in snow again) Well, maybe I'm not so fine. You should all go ahead without me.
Balto: Jenna. . .
Jenna: No, no, I'll be slowing everyone down. (Quietly) Rosy can't hold out much longer.
Balto: Muk? You and Luk carry Jenna back to town on this (He pulls out a broken tree branch)
Boris: And this time, don't take time out for a swim! Hee hee!
Balto: You can make sure of that Boris, you're gonna lead them home.
Boris: (Slaps his head) Oy!
Balto: Just follow my marks.
Jenna: You're going on alone?
Balto: Won't be the first time.
Jenna: Here. (She slips off her bandanna and puts it over Balto) I'm afraid it won't keep you very warm.
Balto: Yeah it will. (They nuzzle each other, then Luk starts bawling)
Muk: Well of course Balto will come back! He's... Balto, isn't he? (Luk continues bawling)
Balto: Hey, I'm coming back. With the medicine. I promise, Jenna. Go ahead guys, take her home.
Boris: Balto! I do not like leaving you out here alone! Who's going to tell you how cold you are?
Balto: Boris. They need you even more than I do.
Boris: Let me tell you something, Balto. A dog cannot make this journey alone. But maybe. . .a wolf can.
(Addresses Muk and Luk) Right! You two balls of fluff! Let's move!
Heh. . .two. . .three. . .four! (Balto turns and walks off into the snow. Back in Nome, the Telegraph Operator recieves more bad news)
Telegraph Operator: Nome. Stop. Cannot send more antitoxin. Stop. Weather too severe. Stop. Lost sled team only hope.
Stop. Our prayers are with them. Anchorage. Stop.
(Eventually after continuing the journey alone, Balto finds the lost sled team.)
Star: Balto?
Nikki: Is that... Balto?
Kaltag: Balto? How did you find us?
Balto: Is anyone hurt?
Steele: Everyone. . .is. . .fine.
Star: Yeah, but our musher hit his head. . .and he didn't get up. (He nudges the musher, there is no response)
Kaltag: And he's not moving.
Balto: All right, follow me. I can lead you home. (Balto heads for the sled, but Steele slams his paw down, blocking him)
Steele: We don't need. . . your help.
Star: Maybe we should listen to him. (Steele growls at him)
Nikki: Well, how would you get us home?
Balto: Well I... I marked the trail. Like this. (Scratches the tree trunk)
Star: Oh. . .yeah!
Steele: I'll get us back. I'm the lead dog. I'm in charge.
Balto: Then let me take back the medicine. They're getting sicker.
Steel: Touch that box... and I'll tear you apart!
Nikki: Two bones says Steele takes him!
Kaltag: You're on!
(the dogs form a circle around Steele and Balto, ready to watch the fight)
Balto: Steele, I'm not leaving without that medicine.
Steele: (knocks Balto to the ground) Who do you think you are?!
Nikki: Hey. . .this is gonna be good!
Balto: Since... since when do you need a pedigree to help someone? (Steele still refuses to let Balto get the medicine)
Steele. . .let me help you. (Steele is ready to attack)
Nikki: Look at his eyes, look at his eyes. (Steele knocks Balto to the ground.)
Kaltag: Ooohhh, he'll feel that tomorrow!
Nikki: I think he is feeling it now!
Kaltag: Ouch! (Balto does not give up. He gets up and tries to get to the medicine again)
Balto: I. . .don't want to fight. (This time, Steele grabs Balto by the teeth and flings him away. Even his seemingly loyal gang is shocked)
All the dogs: Woah!
Kaltag: That can't be legal!
Nikki: Yeah. (Balto gets up again. He advances again, and Steele knocks over the medicine)
Kaltag: Hey. . .that stuff is fragile, dere.
Star: What's with Steele? All Balto wants to do is help! (Steele grabs Balto by the foot and flings him against a rock. He hits his head and collapses on the ground. The other dogs watch in shock)
Star: Look! (Balto gets up again. Steele is in a rage, and attacks him. He misses Balto's neck and instead gets a hold of his bandanna. They are on the edge of a cliff, and when the knot becomes undone, Steele loses his balance. He tumbles down the cliff, and hits the bottom. He is still alive. Star proudly holds up Balto's harness; Balto is now the team leader. They secure the musher to the sled and set off with the medicine. Steele climbs up the cliff to see them go over the hill. )
Steele: Go ahead, wolf dog! You'll never get home! I'll make sure of that!
(Steele is running through the woods, scratching trees the way Balto did)
Steele: I'll show 'em! This way... how 'bout over here?! (scratches a tree) Oops! Wrong way! Ha ha ha ha! (runs away laughing. Balto and the sled team are pulling through the woods. Balto has been following the trail left by Steele and seems to be lost. He stops the team)
Balto: (sees all the marked trees) Oh no.
Star: Which way, Balto? Which way? Which way?
Balto: Uh... this way!
(the dogs run down a path, only to end up back where they started. Balto stops the team suddenly, and they all pile on top of each other)
Kaltag: Balto, why are you taking us in circles?
Balto: I'm not! I mean... I don't know. It's Steele.
Nikki: Maybe we was better off with him, dere.
Balto: No. Come on, mush! (They go racing through the forest, Balto sees a blur of marked trees.)
Star: Balto! Slow down!
Nikki: Hey! Hey! Goin'... too... fast!
(They find themselves sliding down a slope. Luckily they don't go over the edge. The medicine, however, is about to topple.)
Nikki: Look out! (Balto lunges for it and grabs it. )
Star: All right! Good catch, Balto! (But the snow under Balto gives way, and he and the medicine go tumbling down. The other dogs can only watch in horror. Back in Nome, Jenna has arrived and told the dogs about Balto's journey. Luk, Muk and Boris are watching through a window. )
Dog: I don't get it. How can Balto hope to find Steele and his team? They were off the trail!
Jenna: Well. . .he's tracking them.
Another Dog: That mutt? Tracking a championship team, in a blizzard? A ha ha ha ha ha! (The door is loudly opened and a dark shape is standing in the doorway)
Jenna: Balto? (She frowns when she realizes it's Steele)
Dogs: Steele!
Dixie: Steele!
Dog: You're alive! You're back! Where ya been? Are ya okay? (They give Steele a bone to chew)
Doc: Steele, where are the others?
Dog: Yeah, what happened to you?
Steele: (begins his act) Well, one by one they fell. Frozen... barely alive. (Shakes himself. . .flinging icicles into the wall like darts) I pulled four onto the sled. Three more on my back. And I, I walked... and I walked... But it was too late. They were... Doc: What about the medicine?
Steele: Well, uh, I... I went on dragging the medicine alone. All alone. And... and then suddenly that wolf-dog appeared. Balto! He demanded I let him take the medicine. (Looks mournfully at Jenna) You know he... he just wanted so much to be a hero in your eyes. And.. he... he grabbed the crate, but he couldn't. . . handle it. He couldn't see the patch of ice. . .the snow, the wind. . .and then the log. . .sniff. . .and the cliff, well he just didn't have a chan-... He just... I'm sorry... (sobbing) And then... (pulls out Jenna's bandanna)
Jenna: My bandanna!
Steele: He. . .made me promise to take. . .care of you, Jenna.
Jenna: (After long silence) You're lying. Steele's lying! Balto's alive! And he's coming home. (She leaves)
Steele: Uh. Well y'know, she needs a little time. (Outside Nome, Jenna is dragging a lantern to a hilltop)
Jenna: The sun.... (She arranges the broken glass carefully) Icecaps... (Then stands back. Beautiful colours spread across the hill. She watches the dancing colours)
Jenna: Balto. (Balto emerges out of the snow, weak and depressed. He thinks that he has lost the medicine and has let all the children down.)
Balto: Rosy. (In sorrow, he covers his face with his paw. But he is not alone. A large white wolf is standing in front of him. It howls to him. He looks away, ashamed. Then he notices the medicine sticking out of the snow. He looks up the towering cliff, and remembers Boris' words.)
Boris' voice in Balto's mind: Let me tell you something, Balto. A dog cannot make this journey alone. But maybe. . .a wolf can.
(He realizes that being part wolf is his strength, and something to be proud of. He owes his courage and endurance to his wolf heritage. Now with a determined look on his face, he turns and howls back to the white wolf. It returns, and they howl together. On top of the cliff, the dogs are freezing. They hear howling and are frightened.)
Nikki: Oh great, things are not bad enough! Now we got wolves!
Other dogs: Wolves?
(Kaltag looks over the edge of the cliff and sees Balto)
Kaltag: Hey hey! Over here!
Nikki: What? What is it?
Star: Huh? What... what... Balto?!
Kaltag: And he's got the medicine!
Nikki: Come on Balto, youse can make it!
Kaltag: That's the most amazing, the most fantastic, that is the most incredible, that's the most phenomenal, I... I never...
Star: That's good! (Kaltag sits on him)
Nikki: Hey, he's got the feet of a wolf, dere. (Balto continues to climb the cliff) Come on Balto. Keep trying, big boy!
Star: Don't look back!
Nikki: You almost got it, you're almost there! Come on! Yes! Yes, you're here!
(The dogs are very happy when Balto makes it to the top of the cliff)
Nikki: Congratulations!
Star: I couldn't have done that!
(They set off at once for Nome. They arrive at a whole lot of marked trees, but this time Balto uses his wolf instincts. He sniffs the air, then points in the right direction. They have to cross a chasm using an ice bridge. It begins to collapse, and they make it just in time. Then Balto's tail tickles Star's nose. He sneezes, inadvertently triggering an avalanche. The team races through the valley, the collapsing snow right behind them. Balto sees a cave and leads the team into it. They enter a huge cavern filled with glistening icicles. Star notices unusual ice formations and investigates. Passing the third formation, he resembles someone. . .)
Star: Ooohhh! (They must be quiet. . .a loud sound may cause the icicles to fall. Star's nose is tickled again. Nikki blocks his nose before he sneezes. As the team pull the sled over a large crack in the ice, it hits the floor hard. A large icicle slams into the ground at the back of the sled, breaking wood. The medicine is in serious danger. )
Dogs: Oooohhhh!
Balto: Mush! (They race through the cavern, icicles falling around them. The boards of the crate are loose, and one vial falls out and smashes. Balto uses a fallen icicle as a foothold, and pushes the boards back in place. As they near the exit, a large number of icicles begin to fall. They make it out safely. Back in Nome, Rosy's parents have lost hope.
Muk, Luk and Boris are huddled together in Balto's boat, fearing that they will never see him again)
Muk: Balto . .(A howl pierces the silent night. Boris' head jerks up in surprise.)
Boris: BALTO'S BACK! (The town is within sight. Balto sees the Northern Lights spread out on the hill behind the town.)
Balto: Jenna! (He howls again and jumps for joy. At that moment, Jenna is at Rosy's bed when she hears Balto. She barks, and Rosy's parents rush to the window to see. )
Rosy's Father: The team!
Rosy's Mother: They made it! (All the lights go on in Nome/ At the moment, Steele is resting comfortably with the other dogs, still telling his story. )
Steele: Of course as you know I just... I swam, and I swam- It was freezing cold! And then (spits his bone into the air and catches it) and finally I just said, 'Steele, you just have to gnaw your way to the surface.' So I - (There is a howl from outside, Doc opens the door) What?
Doc: It's Balto. . .with the medicine! (Steele grins at Dixie.)
Dixie: Steele, you are positively dis-POSABLE! (She knocks the bone out of his mouth. The other dogs give him nasty looks, then they all leave. Their respect for him is gone. )
Steele: Okay, okay. I can explain. See, uh, you guys weren't there, so you don't- Wait, uh, guys. Wait just a second. . .please! (They close the door on him)
Dog: Get lost!
(Everyone in town is now running outdoors to welcome the sled team. Balto reaches the town, and is overjoyed to see everyone cheering him and his team. They stop outside the hospital.)
Doctor: Steady there, steady. Easy now, that's had a long journey.
Townspeople: (They examine the injured musher) How is he? He's gonna be okay.(Now Balto is the hero, everyone wants to praise him)
Townspeople: Good dog, Balto! Good dog! Good boy! (Boris flies in and welcomes Balto home)
Boris: Not dog! Not wolf! You're a hero! Ha ha ha ha!
Muk: Balto! (Muk and Luk give him a big hug. Balto escapes from their clutches and sees Rosy's Father walking towards him)
Rosy's Father: Come on, boy. There's someone who wants to see you. (In the hospital, the medicine is being administered. Rosy awakens.)
Rosy: Mommy?
Mosy's Mother: Rosy, darling!
Rosy: I fell asleep.
Rosy's Father: Rosy! (Balto looks around the room and is glad to see the other children are better too. He sees Rosy's hat sitting on a chair and brings it to her.)
Rosy: Balto. I'd be lost without you. (She gives him a hug. Then someone at the door clears their throat. It's Jenna)
Balto: Jenna. (They jump about, playfully, then their noses touch. They nuzzle each other. Balto grins at her, then turns to see Nikki, Kaltag, Star and the other dogs, as well as the townspeople, cheering for him. )
Star: Way to go Balto!
Kaltag: He has the most endurance, the most fidelity, the most intelligence -
Star: They should build a statue of him! (Shrinks in fear of Kaltag's onslaught. Instead Kaltag nudges him)
Kaltag: You said it.
Star: I did? (We now move up above the cheering townspeople and houses to see the beautiful Northern Lights in the sky. They morph into an image of Blaze, who howls.)
(The final live action scene begins) (Blade and the Granddaughter have reached the Balto statue. Her Grandma is catching up with them)
Granddaughter: This is it, Grandma! Blaze found it!
Grandma: What does it say?
Granddaughter: (Reading) Dedicated to the. . .indom-able?
Grandma: Indominable. . .
Granddaughter: Indominable. . .spirit of the sled dogs. . .
Grandma: That relayed anti-toxin six hundred miles from Nenana to the relief of stricken Nome. . .in the winter of 1925.
Granddaughter: Endurance. . .fidelity. . .intelligence. Balto really did all of that, didn't he Grandma?
Grandma: Oh, yes sweetheart. He really did. And today they run the Iditarod Dog Race over the very path he and the others took.
Granddaughter: Can Blaze do that too, Grandma? (Blaze looks up at them)
Grandma: Maybe, with practice. . .(Blaze barks) . . .a lot of practice.
Granddaughter: (Runs off with Blaze) Come on, Blaze. Come on. . .mush!
Grandma: (Looks up at statue) Thank you Balto, I would have been lost without you.
Granddaughter: Grandma Rosy! Grandma Rosy, come on! (She walks off, and the last image of the movie is of the statue of Balto)

THE END