Lost in the Barrens was partially funded by the Canada-Manitoba Cultural Development Office, so you know this film has some strong Native American cultural aspects.

Jamie (Nicholas Shields) has been at St. George's boarding school for four years since his parents died in 1931, but his trust fund has run out and the school has evicted him. He is going to live with his mother's brother, Angus Stewart (Lee J. Campbell) in the wilderness of Manitoba, Canada.

For this prim-and-proper, suit-and-tie kind of guy, the news is shattering. His parents always said his Uncle Angus is crazy. His rude awakening comes when his train arrives at Stewart's Landing and there is nothing but a sign by the track. There is not even a building. He hates it and cannot wait to leave, but Angus says that he will have to stay until he is of legal age, which is three years away.

Things go from bad to worse when three canoes of Cree natives arrive. Angus is considering marriage to Lenoire (Marianne Jones), which greatly upsets Jamie. He is not bashful about expressing his prejudice.

Things go from worse to worst when Jamie accidentally shoots Angus in the rear and has to replace him on the hunt with the Cree. Their winter food supply depends on him.

Awasis (Evan Adams) is Jamie's native polar opposite. He hated being taken away to the white school and cannot wait to make his first kill on this first hunt. The last thing Jamie wants to do is shoot something.

Mewasin (Graham Greene) leaves the boys in a safe place and tells them he will return for them in six days. He goes into the barrens after deer.

Jamie pressures Awasis into going exploring and gets lost in the barrens. The boys are in a snow-covered flat region with no food, weapons, or cover. If they want to survive, they will have to overcome their bitterness and prejudice and learn to work together in their life or death struggle to survive.

I loved this movie. It is extremely well-written with interesting character development, steady movement toward the conclusion, and plenty of tense, thrilling adventures along the way.

The photography is outstanding, with steady, clear coverage throughout, whether they are filming the boys fighting with a bear, shooting the rapids, or wrestling in the snow.

The acting is fantastic. All the actors are totally believable and deliver their lines with emotion and conviction to their role. The boys are ideal in their roles.

This film won an Emmy for Outstanding Children's Entertainment. It is distributed by Feature Films for Families, whose slogan is: "Strengthening traditional values through entertainment." The back cover contains a "Parent's Guide" that provides topics to discuss with your children about the film.

Lost in the Barrens is a family film that the entire family can enjoy. It is a high-caliber film from beginning to end.