What does he bring to the breed?
The heart of a survivor.

The relationship between men and dogs is often explored within film. The contrast between rambunctious, troublesome animals and dominant, controlling men is a source of comedy, drama and widely popular with audiences. Seen in the likes of Beethoven[2] and Marley and Me[3], man and dog make for an on-screen duo proven to delight audiences and reflect a very real domestic dynamic. In Ericson Core’s Togo[4], however, this relationship is developed beyond the domestic sphere. Togo is not just an unwanted pet, but an initially failed working dog who threatens Seppala’s integrity as a trainer. Seppala’s wife, Constance, is Togo’s only initial advocate, but arguably her love for the puppy is ignorant of the needs of her husband. Togo and Seppala are fighting for dominance from the moment the puppy is born, and it is only through a building of mutual respect that the two can co-exist.

Despite acting as a bildungsroman, Core relies on flashbacks to show Togo’s puppyhood. The Togo the audience meets is a senior working dog, who is constantly at Seppala’s side and trusted by the trainer without question. It is through several flashbacks that the audience comes to know how their relationship was first formed. Contrasting the unwavering faith that Seppala has with the movie’s ‘present-day’ Togo, the audience sees an energetic puppy, filled with personality and his own strong will. Seppala seems to clash immediately with Togo, seeing him as a bad example of the breed and telling Constance ‘He’s undersized, unintelligent, untrainable’[5]. He proceeds to give Togo away for the first time, seeing the dog as not fit to purpose. Seppala’s relationship with his dogs is built on him seeing them as work animals, and he points out to Constance that ‘they’re not pets, they’re not our friends, they’re not our children’[6], disagreeing with popular pet-keeping views of dogs. He does not see them as family members, the way the audience might see their own pets, but as a commodity to make a living from. This early lack of connection between Seppala and Togo is contrasted by its accompanying present-day sequence, where after a near-death experience only averted by Togo’s instincts that alerted Seppala to a potentially devastating fall, he tells Togo ‘next time I go the wrong way, you tell me to go to hell’[7]. This shows a completely changed dynamic in their relationship. Where initially Seppala believed Togo to be unintelligent and unlikely to ever be a sled dog, here he trusts the dogs’ instincts over his own, suggesting that Togo has proven himself as a capable and trustworthy lead dog. The film continues with this flipping back and forth of point in time, with the present-day pair facing terror and potential peril during the 1925 diphtheria serum run, and Core showing the early years of Seppala and Togo’s relationship. Core’s decision here moves the film beyond straight action – instead of focusing solely on the serum run and its unsung hero in Togo, he chooses to also develop a rich human-animal relationship between Seppala and Togo. He shows Togo’s defiance towards Seppala and how despite this, man and dog work together to save lives. This makes the film’s events, based on a true story, even more powerful, because the audience sees how man and dog developed such a close bond. This developing of an actual relationship between man and dog has roots in the genre of drama and shows a strong focus on characterisation, not just action and adventure. Core shows that despite their equally strong personalities, Seppala can put his trust in an animal and subvert typically masculine ideals of dominance and power. Togo is not only an incredible working dog and a proven example of the breed, but also seemingly unnaturally intelligent and able to protect both himself and his trainer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-86-Q32TJ_8&list=PLGZI76mS6q5ATxm7Bf4FSdwZvLwoHn3Tn&index=4&ab_channel=BestClips

[8]

Beyond the use of flashbacks, Togo makes good use of camera angles to show the importance of its characters. Togo and Seppala both have the most amount of screen time which makes sense given the movie follows their relationship. Core makes use of a lot of wide-angle shots with Togo or Seppala placed in the centre, making them the focus of attention, and drawing the audience’s eyes to them throughout. Even when running in a team, Togo is most often the only dog focused on, showing him as being the most important member of the team. In the flashbacks, Togo is most often the focus, with the scenes focusing on his constant attempts to get Seppala’s attention. This focus on Togo not only establishes him as one of two main characters, but also as having his own agency and making his own decisions. He does not only exist in scenes with Seppala being told what to do, but also as his own independent character. Core uses a lot of humour in the scenes of Togo as a puppy, making the audience sympathetic to his needs, but Togo’s agency is the focus. His ability to outwit Seppala shows intelligence, his small size makes it easier for him to escape, and it is Togo himself who indicates he wants to be a lead dog by placing himself at the front of the team. To Seppala, these attributes initially mark Togo as unfit for purpose, but it is Togo’s own stubborn agency that eventually earns Seppala’s respect and ultimate trust. Core proves that agency is not always a bad thing to Seppala, as after Togo ignores a herd of reindeer in favour of running home, Seppala remarks ‘when an animal denies his nature and runs for the barn because he fears the storm, man better fear the storm’[9]. This suggests that Seppala knows that even the best trained and suited dog has its own agency, and that by Togo ignoring his nature Seppala trusts that he has his own reasons. Togo utilises camerawork to further prove this, by the focus on both animal and man. Neither is more important than the other, and Core tries to show that in their relationship is their success. Togo is trusted by Seppala to get them out of life-threatening situations, but Togo also trusts that Seppala knows what he is doing and that he should continue for his trainer. Seppala comments on this relationship at the end of the movie, saying ‘It was foolish of me to ever think Togo would be denied. I always thought he lived for the sled when, all along, what he lived for was me’[10]. This comment shows that Seppala reacts to Togo’s stubbornness with fondness over frustration, but also that he has come to understand the strength of the bond between himself and the dog. Core, throughout the film, has shown the audience this through angles, and it brings a sense of catharsis to see Seppala understand it too.

[11]

Sound also plays an important role in Togo. The non-diegetic score by Mark Isham[12] creates a rich world of sound within the film, adding depths of emotion and drama to already visually stunning sequences. ‘Resourceful Pup’[13] underscores Togo’s escape from the barn, where the audience sees the pup’s intelligence and problem-solving, and is light and plays with the diegetic sound within the film. ‘Crossing the Sound’[14] is a hauntingly beautiful but sharp piece of music, playing beneath a moment of potential peril, and also beneath Seppala’s rousing Shakespeare-based speech to the dogs. ‘To Lead’[15] is an uplifting, strong song, underscoring an important moment in Togo and Seppala’s relationship. The score influences the audience’s emotion, suggesting danger or drama depending on the scene, and also indicates the relationship between Seppala and Togo and how it changes. From the light-hearted but distant soundtrack underscoring Togo’s puppyhood, to the strength of him finding his place in the team, to the peril he and Seppala face together. Alongside this, the diegetic sounds of the film surround both Seppala and Togo. Often, Seppala is the only human character, and it is his voice that the audience hears most, directing Togo and the team. Alongside this are the whines and cries of Togo, often presented as being some sort of attempt at communication with Seppala. Core’s decision to use a descendent of Togo to play him makes a stronger link between character and inspiration, but just as importantly is the use of real sled dogs to make up the rest of the team. The dogs react to Seppala’s commands as real sled dogs, because they themselves are true working dogs. Diesel, the main dog playing Togo, creates an even stronger relationship between the characters, with Core suggesting that the two understand each other beyond simple body language. Togo listens to Seppala’s instructions, but also responds when he disagrees, and at times completely disobeys Seppala’s commands. Seppala learns to trust Togo’s instincts, and as the music rises so does the strength of their bond.

Togo forcing himself in to lead position

[16]
Through this, Core subverts the typical masculine character. Seppala never truly manages to corral Togo’s spirit and free-willed side, but never loses respect for the animal either. Seppala starts the film by telling Constance that Togo is ‘not a sled dog. Never a sled dog’[17] but soon changes his mind to say ‘he’s not a sled dog, he’s a lead dog’[18]. At the end of the film, speaking of Togo after death, he says ‘if you’re lucky enough to have known a great one, they never really leave. They stay with you as long as you live, harnessed to your heart, giving their all, always’[19]. This moves Togo beyond a simple working dog and to a dearer companion to Seppala. Whilst he still was beneficial to Seppala in terms of his business, being used to sire pups, Core makes sure to place Togo as part of the domestic sphere too. Seppala not only admits being wrong about Togo, but also about his reaction to Constance’s advocacy of the pup. At the end of the movie, he says that ‘Constance was right, Togo had the heart of a survivor’[20]. This more emotional way of viewing Togo subverts Seppala’s other attitudes, but also the typical masculine role. He admits that his wife was right all along with no bitterness or potential relationship breakdown, and he also admits that owning and training Togo changed his view of dogs, that Togo is now a part of Seppala’s life forever. Core chooses to have Togo live out his remaining days with Seppala, as opposed to the true ending of Togo’s life where he was moved to the warmer climate of Maine, and this decision means that Togo’s beginning and conclusion of his life both take place at Seppala’s home, as part of Alaska and it’s harsh but beautiful climate. Togo’s life is linked to the setting, and most of all to Seppala himself.

Togo in retirement with Seppala and Constance

Togo licks Seppala after proving obedience

Togo licks Seppala after a near-death experience

Togo is marketed as the untold story of the real hero of the 1925 Nome Serum Run, but in reality is a movie filled with important human-animal relationships and full of subversions of typical masculine attitudes to animals and relationships. The film portrays vulnerability, respect and a deep love between man and dog, and shows how despite their clashing personalities, their achievements can be lifesaving. The film is not only full of action and adventure, but also portrays a deep emotional bond that is both enchanting to watch on screen, and deeply relatable for those who have felt a similar close bond to pets. The film uses its main genre of a family film to include humour that would not be as widely beloved in a film aimed solely at adults, but also shows real peril. Togo is a subversive and enjoyable film surrounding animal-human relations, and shows how petkeeping and training can blend into each other, even in the unlikeliest pairing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdRUaeVK8qY&list=PLGZI76mS6q5ATxm7Bf4FSdwZvLwoHn3Tn&index=3&ab_channel=MoviePirate

[21]

[1] Walt Disney Studios, Togo – Official Trailer | Disney+ | Streaming Dec. 20, online video recording, Youtube, 4^th December 2019, < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMfyueM-ZBQ&ab_channel=WaltDisneyStudios> [Accessed 20/01/2022]

[2] Beethoven, Brian Levant (Universal Pictures, 1992)

[3] Marley and Me, David Frankel (20^th Century Fox, 2008)

[4] Togo, Ericson Core (Walt Disney Studios, 2019) <https://www.disneyplus.com/en-gb/video/58965253-5387-4b68-8f99-28f96b19005d> [Accessed 19^th January 2022]

[5] Togo, Ericson Core (Walt Disney Studios, 2019)

[6] Togo, Ericson Core (Walt Disney Studios, 2019)

[7] Togo, Ericson Core (Walt Disney Studios, 2019)

[8] Best Clips, Puppy Togo Teasing Leonhard [Serves You Right Scene] – Togo 2019 – Best Clips

, online video recording, Youtube, 5^th October 2020, < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-86-Q32TJ_8&list=PLGZI76mS6q5ATxm7Bf4FSdwZvLwoHn3Tn&index=5&ab_channel=BestClips> [Accessed 20^th January 2022]

[9] Togo, Ericson Core (Walt Disney Studios, 2019)

[10] Togo, Ericson Core (Walt Disney Studios, 2019)

[11] Movie Roar, Togo Publicity Clips Good Luck Little One, online video recording, Youtube, 11^th December 2019, < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxAWe3kPa0g&list=PLGZI76mS6q5ATxm7Bf4FSdwZvLwoHn3Tn&index=7&ab_channel=MovieRoar > [Accessed 20^th January 2022]

[12] Mark Isham, Togo (Original Soundtrack) (Walt Disney Records, 2019) [Digital Album]

[13] Mark Isham, ‘Resourceful Pup’, Togo (Original Soundtrack) (Walt Disney Records, 2019) [Digital Album]

[14] Mark Isham, ‘Crossing the Sound’, Togo (Original Soundtrack) (Walt Disney Records, 2019) [Digital Album]

[15] Mark Isham, ‘To Lead’, Togo (Original Soundtrack) (Walt Disney Records, 2019) [Digital Album]

[16] Movie Roar, Togo Publicity Clips Lead Dog, online video recording, Youtube, 11^th December 2019, < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJO8ltlzWrw&list=PLGZI76mS6q5ATxm7Bf4FSdwZvLwoHn3Tn&index=1&ab_channel=MovieRoar > [Accessed 20^th January 2022]

[17] Togo, Ericson Core (Walt Disney Studios, 2019)

[18] Togo, Ericson Core (Walt Disney Studios, 2019)

[19] Togo, Ericson Core (Walt Disney Studios, 2019)

[20] Togo, Ericson Core (Walt Disney Studios, 2019)

[21] Movie Pirate, Togo 2019 – Togo’s Death|Sad Ending, online video recording, Youtube, 27^th December 2019, < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdRUaeVK8qY&list=PLGZI76mS6q5ATxm7Bf4FSdwZvLwoHn3Tn&index=3&ab_channel=MoviePirate > [Accessed 20^th January 2022]

Bibliography

Best Clips, Puppy Togo Teasing Leonhard [Serves You Right Scene] – Togo 2019 – Best Clips

, online video recording, Youtube, 5^th October 2020, < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-86-Q32TJ_8&list=PLGZI76mS6q5ATxm7Bf4FSdwZvLwoHn3Tn&index=5&ab_channel=BestClips> [Accessed 20^th January 2022]

Core, Ericson, dir., Togo (Walt Disney Studios, 2019) <https://www.disneyplus.com/en-gb/video/58965253-5387-4b68-8f99-28f96b19005d> [Accessed 19^th January 2022]

Frankel, David, Marley and Me, (20^th Century Fox, 2008)

Isham, Mark, Togo (Original Soundtrack) (Walt Disney Records, 2019) [Digital Album]

Levant, Brian, Beethoven, (Universal Pictures, 1992)

Movie Pirate, Togo 2019 – Togo’s Death|Sad Ending, online video recording, Youtube, 27^th December 2019, < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdRUaeVK8qY&list=PLGZI76mS6q5ATxm7Bf4FSdwZvLwoHn3Tn&index=3&ab_channel=MoviePirate > [Accessed 20^th January 2022]

Movie Roar, Togo Publicity Clips Lead Dog, online video recording, Youtube, 11^th December 2019, < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJO8ltlzWrw&list=PLGZI76mS6q5ATxm7Bf4FSdwZvLwoHn3Tn&index=1&ab_channel=MovieRoar > [Accessed 20^th January 2022]

Movie Roar, Togo Publicity Clips Good Luck Little One, online video recording, Youtube, 11^th December 2019, < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxAWe3kPa0g&list=PLGZI76mS6q5ATxm7Bf4FSdwZvLwoHn3Tn&index=7&ab_channel=MovieRoar > [Accessed 20^th January 2022]

Walt Disney Studios, Togo – Official Trailer | Disney+ | Streaming Dec. 20, online video recording, Youtube, 4^th December 2019, < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMfyueM-ZBQ&ab_channel=WaltDisneyStudios> [Accessed 20/01/2022]

Togo. Dir. Ericson Core. Walt Disney Studios. 2019

Further Reading

Bibliography