The Journey Home

In Arctic northern Ontario (Canada), animal-loving teen Luke takes home the cub, later named Nanuk, of a polar bear who wandered in town but is tranquilized by the sheriff to be dropped by helicopter in an even more northern reserve. Found out and fearing for the cub's life, he engages to reunite the ursine family on his snow-scooter. He seeks in vain the help of his ever-absent mother's half-Inuit ex Muktuk, who immediately follows to rescue when he finds Luke took off alone and takes charge. They are separated by a shifting ice float, leaving Luke to continue his mission in despair while Muktuk returns to mount a full-scale rescue with airplane.