Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

This is the story of a small boy's innocence , he's living with his parents (Penelope Milford and Steve Railsback) next to the sea coast . He's a lonely ten-year-old boy who spontaneously finds a legendary golden seal and her newborn pup . But the greed for her valuable pelt does the hunters , including his father (Steve Railsback) , natives and an ambitious poacher (Michael Beck) set out in pursuit the seal . The golden seal and cub are hunted for a huge bounty on her head and the mythological legend .This enjoyable movie contains spectacular outdoors , ordinary animal footage , good feeling and a little bit of drama . The film is shot in Aleutian Islands and British Columbia with sensational landscapes . The best parts of the picture are the awesome outdoors and the sensitive soundtrack by Dana Kaproff . Acceptable acting by quatrain protagonist , the little boy , Torquil Campbell ; the daddy , Steve Raisback (Barbwire , Lifeforce) ; the mum well performed by Penelope Milford and the hunter , Michael Beck (Warriors , Xanadu) . The flick is rated ¨parents guide¨ because there are strong fighting and shooting executed by the mean hunters wishing to kill the seals . Colorful cinematography sot on location in Aleutian Islands, Alaska, USA and British Columbia, Canada . Agreeable and vivid musical score by Dana Kraproff . The motion picture was professionally directed by Frank Zuñiga . He's usually director of children and youngsters movies such as ¨Grey Wolf¨ , ¨Mustang¨ , ¨Heartbreaker¨ and ¨Further adventures of the wilderness family¨ , and occasionally director for television as Disneyland episodes . Rating : Passable and entertaining .

This film is gorgeous to look at because of the on location cinematography at the Aleutian islands. I found it interesting to read the other comments and obviously this film strikes a chord with people and it makes many feel "off" or uncomfortable. But that is what I liked about it - it is very real and has real situations between adults and adults and kids. Yes, Stve Railsback has been cursed since he nailed playing Manson in Helter Skelter - an amazing performance and he was beyond convincing. Which is why he freaked people out. Hes' been good in other films, most notably The Stunt Man - a funny dark film with Peter O'Toole as crazed film director. But the way the film deals with nature, tradition but most of all ISOLATION is very smart and I feel you can enjoy this with your kids if they are age appropriate - 8 and up. My 8 and 11 year old liked it very much and we talked about it afterwards and how the boy felt so strongly about doing what was right that he would stand up to his Father like that. The film also has a very good message about money and how it isn't everything. The mom makes that clear that what she truly, dearly needs is her family. That is what is important. Plus there is a beautiful seal and she has a baby and the baby is adorable - but sandwiching all the cute animal footage is a serious drama and I can see how a few would find it strange bedfellows. But overall, well made, well acted - the lead kid is at times hokey and hammy but other times, really nails the difficult scenes.

I see Mindy has given an in depth synopsis of THE GOLDEN SEAL which revolves around a young kid called Eric trying to save a mythical golden seal from greedy hunters . I won't reiterate the plot except to point out how uncomfortable the serious tone of the movie made me feel and there's scenes that shouldn't have been included in something that's marketed as a family movie like Eric being assualted by his father Talking of which Eric's father is played by Steve Railsback an actor who received great acclaim by playing Charles Manson in HELTER SKELTER . Railsback always gives an intense performance and I'm sure you'll remember him as the eponymous Duane Barry in one of the all time great episodes of THE X FILES . Unfortunately he always gives an intense performance whether the role calls for it or not which makes his performance in LIFEFORCE somewhat laughable and he's rather laughable due to his OTT acting in THE GOLDEN SEAL For a family film it doesn't get my seal of approval

***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS*** I'm suprised no one bothered to comment on this movie.They just let the ratings speak for themselves,which they shouldn't.As I said,I don't want to see this again.I'll get into that much later.This movie came out in the early eighties,and I haven't seen it for many years So I'll do my best,on what the story is about.Its about a young boy and his family,who live, I think on an island or the marine land.He doesn't seem to have many friends,as there are no children that he hangs out with.Maybe,there are no other children?Anyways,his only friend is a german sheperd,whos just given birth to puppies.The puppies however,contracted a deadly virus,which kills them.If that wasn't bad enough,the mother dog catches the same virus,which also kills her.The boy is now alone without any friends.The only other people on the island are all fisherman.This all changes one day,while going with his dad on a fishing trip.Its his job to haul in fish,if you were confused.The boy looks down in the water,when suddenly something gold colored jumps by.He tries to tell the others, who think it was just a fish.The old man,however tells him about the legend of the golden seal,a mythical sealion with golden fur.The boy later on one day, finds the same said seal in his shed.He is very shocked to see this animal,I can't repeat what he said.It was pretty funny.Well,he thinks it's sick with the virus that his dog had,because it seems to be in pain.He wraps it in cover,and leaves it in there,until the next morning.When he checks on it,he discovers it had given birth to a seal pup the same color.Some how something passes between them,and the female seal instantly becomes his new friend.How and why this happens,is never explained.He then starts swimming and playing,her as if they had been friends forever.He decides to keep her a secret.But,somehow the cat is let out of the bag,and the fun and games have to end.(Warning, Spoilers Ahead)!!!A bunch of greedy,feedstore yahoos get together to hunt her down.They can make more money with her pelt,than the amount they get from shrimping,and fishing a year.A bounty is placed on her head,that way whoever kills the seal first;will recive a very large reward.The boys dad unfortunetly,decides to join in on the hunt.When he finds out this,he tries everything to keep the seal hidden from veiw.He confronts his dad,before he has a chance to shoot her.Vicious painful,war of words are exchanged between father and son,making this one of the hardest scenes to watch.I think the person who played the dad over did it with the yelling and cussing in that scene.The dad then sees his son's P.O.V,and realizes the harm hes doing to him.He then tries to stop the other hunters,but not without getting into a knockout, dragout fist fight.Personally,I thought the vicious fighting wasn't really necessary.But the damage has already been done.The motherseal and her pup decide to leave for good.No place is safe for them now.The boy tries to get her to stay,but the dad says he'll just try to kill her.Heartbroken,he is forced to let her go.Then,he says one of the worst lines I've ever heard"Want a Pop"?What no,"Gee son, I'm really sorry.Lets go to the petstore or pound,and get you a new friend"?I mean come on,no cheap peice of candy is going to heal the mental,emotinal,and psychological damage caused by his dad.Or those selfish people.Anything done by parents like that in real life,would cause serious issues of mistrust.The child would never open up to his parents for anything again.He wouldn't trust them with anything either.Plus the boy will have to see those people again,and remember what they had done.They should've had a follow up,where the trust between the dad and son has been severed, and he won't talk to him hardly.The seal comes back and helps them somehow, mend the relationship.Now you know why I don't like this movie, and don't want to see it again!:[