The Bears and I

The Bears and I is a 1974 American drama film directed by Bernard McEveety and written by John Whedon. The film stars Patrick Wayne, Chief Dan George, Andrew Duggan, Michael Ansara and Robert Pine. The film was released on July 31, 1974, by Buena Vista Distribution.[2][3]

The Bears and I
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Bernard McEveety
Produced by	Winston Hibler
Screenplay by	John Whedon
Based on	The Bears and I by Robert Franklin Leslie
Starring	Patrick Wayne Chief Dan George Andrew Duggan Michael Ansara Robert Pine
Narrated by	Jack Speirs
Music by	Buddy Baker
Cinematography	Ted D. Landon
Edited by	G. Gregg McLaughlin
Production company	Walt Disney Productions
Distributed by	Buena Vista Distribution
Release date	July 31, 1974 (1974-07-31)
Running time	89 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Box office	$4 million (rentals) (US/Canada)[1]

Plot

Robert (Bob) Leslie, a Vietnam veteran goes to the remote homeland of a fallen commerade to deliver his artifacts to his father, a revered Chief and Shaman.

He is very taken with the beauty of the west and decides to stay a while to find himself.

Bob finds 3 orphaned cubs and takes to raising them, with the intent of teaching them to be independent. While he grows evermore attached to them.

The First peoples face eviction by the government who want to build facilities in the area of the national park the First peoples reside. Bob, completely naive to the long history of wrongs committed against first Nations, tries several times to speak to them on behalf of the national park board. His ignorance of First people's history with the US Government agencies leads to conflict between him and his friend's people. Some of the First nations resist with threats of violence, which escalates the situation; while others protest with understandable frustration. One man turns his anger towards Bob and attacks his home and the bears, leading to a forest fire that endangers the park for all humans and wildlife.

As he comes to understand the wisdom of his friend's father and the danger the bears face, Bob realizes he must push the bears away. A promise he appeared to break earlier due to the bear's attachment to him, and the food he continues to provide, despite their freedom.

Cast

• Patrick Wayne as Bob Leslie
• Chief Dan George as Chief Peter A-Tas-Ka-Nay
• Andrew Duggan as Commissioner Gaines
• Michael Ansara as Oliver Red Fern
• Robert Pine as John McCarten
• Valentin de Vargas as Sam Eagle Speaker
• Hal Baylor as Foreman

See also

• List of American films of 1974

References

1. "All-time Film Rental Champs", Variety, 7 January 1976 p 50
2. "Movie Review - The Bears and I - Film: 'The Bears and I':Modest Disney Effort on Bill with 'Bambi' - NYTimes.com". Retrieved 3 November 2014.
3. "The Bears And I". TV Guide. Retrieved 3 November 2014.

External links

• The Bears and I on IMDb
• The Bears and I at the TCM Movie Database