Heart of the Beast

James Belmont (Brad Pitt), a retired military expert, sets off on a trip into the Alaskan wilderness with his dog Odin (a German Shepherd called Uber), who is also a war veteran. Their expedition takes a dangerous turn when James, due to a sudden illness, loses control of the small plane and crashes. The pair have already proven in a war zone that they can rely on each other one hundred per cent. But will they manage to overcome the perils of the Alaskan wilderness together, where mortal danger lurks at every turn? And after the plane crash has left them both badly battered? And because their only hope of survival is to return to civilisation, they must set out on a journey that turns into a battle against nature at its most brutal. But when you have a good partner by your side, you can overcome anything. Director David Ayer previously collaborated with Brad Pitt on the war drama Fury and cannot praise his contribution highly enough. “He’s a beast. He comes across as more vulnerable and down-to-earth than I’ve ever seen him before. Everyone who’s seen the film has praised his dedication and his exceptionally believable performance,” says the director of his film and its hero. This was certainly helped by filming in the unspoilt countryside of New Zealand, which stood in for the Alaskan wilderness, as well as the 62-year-old actor’s determination to shoot most of the action scenes without a stunt double.