About Togo

Togo is an American drama adventure film produced by Disney. Released in 2019, the plot revolves around the 'Great Race of Mercy', but focuses on sled dog Togo and his owner Leonhard Seppala. The duo play a pivotal role in this 1925 serum run to Nome to carry a diphtheria antitoxin serum through harsh conditions. While another dog, Balto, usually gets the fame for this run, in reality, it was Togo who led his team over the longest and most hazardous parts of the journey.

Making / Production

Directed by Ericson Core and produced by Kim Zubick, the film was developed for Disney +. The screenplay was penned by Tom Flynn while the splendid cinematography is courtesy of Core himself. The harsh yet beautiful Alaskan landscape was recreated in Alberta, Canada over the course of 6 weeks shooting.

Actors

• Willem Dafoe as Leonhard Seppala: Dafoe delivers an impressive performance as the tough yet tender-hearted dog-sled trainer who partners with Togo on their journey.
• Julianne Nicholson as Constance Seppala: Nicholson plays Leonhard's compassionate and supportive wife, who shares an unbreakable bond with him and Togo.
• Christopher Heyerdahl as George Maynard: Heyerdahl plays a pivotal role as a fellow dog-sled trainer.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Togo was filmed in Alberta, Canada over 6 weeks, despite the fact it's set in Alaska.
• The real Togo and his fellow sled dogs ran over 260 miles of the serum run, which is almost double the distance any other team completed.
• Despite playing a huge part in the serum run, Togo was not recognized until many years later.

Quotes

• "He's not a pet, he's a lead dog! He needs to run!" - Leonhard Seppala.
• "You don't have to trust me, but Togo, you trust him don't you?" - Leonhard Seppala.
• "The only way we get to Togo is together" - Leonhard Seppala.

Music, Soundtrack

The musical score for Togo is composed by Mark Isham. The soundtrack beautifully complements the scenes, particularly the ones showcasing the Alaskan wilderness, bringing a combination of eeriness and elegance to the portrayal of the harsh landscapes.