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For all the danger and survival challenges in Heart of the Beast, director David Ayer’s new thriller is ultimately a story about love and companionship.
The film stars Brad Pitt as James Belmont, a Special Forces officer who becomes stranded deep in the Alaskan wilderness with his combat dog, Odin, after a plane crash.
James and Odin have survived war together and carry the physical and emotional scars of their experiences. With no mission left to complete, the pair must rely on their bond as they struggle to survive and find their way home.
For Pitt, the relationship between James and Odin is what gives the film its emotional meaning.
“What a beautiful thing. What gifts our dogs are,” Pitt said, describing the story as an exploration of unconditional love and the bond between humans and animals.
Ayer said the film required a different kind of storytelling because much of its emotional weight comes from the quiet connection between a man and his dog.
“It’s about the quiet in Brad’s heart. It’s about the quiet in Odin’s heart,” Ayer said. “At a certain point, I was just following them. They taught me where to go. They taught me where to place the camera.”
The filmmakers spent considerable time finding the right dog to play Odin. Four German Shepherds were eventually selected, with Uber, a former police dog who later worked in search and rescue, becoming the primary Odin.
Pitt arrived in New Zealand weeks before filming to build a relationship with the dogs. Animal trainer Andrew Simpson said Pitt became so involved with the animals that he effectively became a trainer himself.
“There’s an intense loyalty, but they’re also goofy and funny,” Pitt said in the film’s production notes. “In the end, we’re less alone in the world because of our dogs.”
The film’s story also has a personal connection for screenwriter Cameron Alexander, who wrote the screenplay while his own dog, Hoss, was seriously ill. The experience inspired him to explore the bond between combat veterans and their dogs, as well as the trauma and devotion they can share.
The screenplay appeared on the 2017 Black List before producers Damien Chazelle and Olivia Hamilton became involved. Ayer later joined the project, drawn to its themes of brotherhood, perseverance and survival.
New Zealand was used to portray Alaska, with the production filmed across forests, glaciers, rivers and mountains. The difficult terrain required helicopters, long hikes and the transportation of equipment through ravines and hills, while unpredictable weather added to the challenges.
At the centre of the story, however, is hope.
“James never gives up hope as long as he’s alive, as long as Odin’s alive,” Pitt said. “As long as they have that bond and that connection, they can get through anything together.”