could someone please tell me a movie title(s)of this film i remember
seeing in the 80s -- maybe mid to late 80s (though i doubt by 1989). 
it might've been a tv movie, but i think we rented it once too; i
don't think there were any big name actors in it, though.  it was
about a boy, maybe 10 years old or so, who went to visit his father
(maybe his parents were divorced?)or uncle in a remote northern town.
i know he left his mother to go on this visit/vacation(?).. i don't
think it was to move in there, but i'm not sure.  it might've been in
british columbia or alaska.  the boy and the father/uncle were driving
in a pickup(?)truck, the boy was unhappy i think; beautiful northern
scenery flew by as they drove.  anyway, this boy ended up getting lost
in the woods, and had to learn to survive.  by the end of the film, he
was an old man with a beard, covered in furs;  he had become
animalistic after never having been found.  i'm not sure if he was
found at this point and maybe decided to stay in the woods(?) and
didn't recognize his family who found him (err, maybe that part was
from 'empire of the sun').  anyway, i remember a hauntingly beautiful,
mornful sounding song that was played throughout the film, and this
song is really what i'm after. ring a bell?  any titles?
thanks so much.

Hello.

It sounds like you're describing "Kid Colter" (1985).

"A city boy visits his father in the remote Pacific Northwest, is
kidnapped, escapes, and survives alone in the woods."
http://www.dvdhollywood.com/movies/movie.aspx?mid=5151

"Stunning nature photography highlights this wilderness adventure
about a city boy thrust into a life or death ordeal of survival. 
After being kidnapped, then abandoned in the remote mountain wilds,
twelve-year-old Justin Colter begins a relentless pursuit of his
abductors.  Along the way he loses his civilized identity, becoming
adept at living off the land while chasing down his quarry."
http://www.twoislands.com/new_page_2.htm

NY Times Review:
http://movies2.nytimes.com/gst/movies/movie.html?v_id=27174

VHS at Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/offer-listing/6301805372/

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search strategy:
"boy visits his father" woods movie

I hope "Kid Colter" is the movie that you had in mind. If not, please
let me know via the "request clarification" feature. Thanks.

i think this is the movie!!  i ordered it from amazon.
thanx for the really prompt reply!