King of the Grizzlies
King of the Grizzlies is a 1970 American-Canadian coproduced adventure film directed by Ron Kelly and written by Jack Speirs, Rod Peterson and Norman Wright. The film stars John Yesno, Chris Wiggins, Hugh Webster and Jack Van Evera. The film was released on February 11, 1970, by Buena Vista Distribution.[1][2]
| King of the Grizzlies | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Ron Kelly |
| Produced by | Winston Hibler |
| Screenplay by | Jack Speirs Rod Peterson Norman Wright |
| Based on | The Biography of a Grizzly by Ernest Thompson Seton |
| Starring | John Yesno Chris Wiggins Hugh Webster Jack Van Evera |
| Narrated by | Winston Hibler |
| Music by | Buddy Baker |
| Cinematography | Reginald H. Morris |
| Edited by | G. Gregg McLaughlin |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Buena Vista Distribution |
Release date |
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Running time | 93 minutes |
| Country | United States Canada |
| Language | English |
Plot
Moki, a Cree Indian in the late 19th-century West, works as a foreman on the ranch belonging to his former Army commanding officer, Colonel Pierson. Moki wears the sign of the tribal totem on his hand—a four-toed track, the mark of the grizzly bear. A grizzly bear invades Pierson's land and kills a steer, and Pierson shoots the bear and one of her cubs, missing the other. The surviving cub falls over a cliff and into a river and is swept downstream. Moki searches for the cub and learns that it has only four toes on one of its feet. He names it Wahb, which means four-toed grizzly, captures the bear, and sets him free on the outskirts of Pierson's land. Wahb survives and grows to maturity. At 3 years of age, Wahb appears and frightens a ranch hand, whereupon Pierson orders Moki to trap the bear; but Wahb avoids capture. Several years later, Moki encounters Wahb in the mountains. As the bear does not harm him, Moki concludes that a mystical tie binds Wahb's destiny with his own. Wahb reappears on the Pierson ranch at roundup time and stampedes the cattle. Pierson sets out to kill Wahb, but the wily bear doubles back and begins to track his pursuer. Moki attempts to warn Pierson of his danger but to no avail. Pierson meets the bear head on; his horse rears and Pierson is thrown. Wahb is about to attack Pierson when Moki arrives just then, however, as he climbs down to the colonel. As he is examining the colonel's injuries, Wahb appears. Moki is armed with only a pistol which is definitely not sufficient to stop an angry grizzly bear. Wahb departs, leaving Moki and consequently Colonel Pierson unharmed. Moki attempts to get him to stop, but his mind is made up. Just when the colonel is about to pull the trigger, Wahb begins to mark a tree with his claws. Moki tells the colonel that, because of this, Wahb will not return to the Gray Bull (which is true; he will stay and protect his territory). Still unconvinced, Colonel Pierson raises his gun one more time. But again Moki calls his name, and, when the colonel turns, he sees the rifle shells in Moki's hand. Seeing how much the bear means to Moki and hoping he will stay away from the Gray Bull now, Colonel Pierson relents, and they go home.
Cast
- Big Ted as Wahb
- John Yesno as Moki
- Chris Wiggins as Colonel Pierson
- Hugh Webster as Shorty Russell
- Jack Van Evera as Slim
- Winston Hibler as the narrator
See also
References
- "King of the Grizzlies (1970) - Overview - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
- "King-of-the-Grizzlies - Trailer - Cast - Showtimes - NYTimes.com". Retrieved 2 November 2014.