The Bear (1988)

92% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
76% of users liked it
(8,500 ratings)

Jean-Jacques Annaud directed this unusual and compelling tale of animals in the wild, which tells its tale from the bears' point of view. A pair of carefully-trained bruins deliver remarkably effective "performances" (aided by clever editing and, in some sequences, the use of realistic animated… More Jean-Jacques Annaud directed this unusual and compelling tale of animals in the wild, which tells its tale from the bears' point of view. A pair of carefully-trained bruins deliver remarkably effective "performances" (aided by clever editing and, in some sequences, the use of realistic animated models). A infant bear cub (Douce the Bear) witnesses the death of his mother in a rockslide and is forced to set out to fend for himself. The young bear encounters a giant grizzly (Bart the Bear), who at first cannot abide the young bear's presence. However, the grizzly is soon ambushed by a pair of hunters -- Bill (Jack Wallace) and Tom (Tcheky Karyo) -- after an altercation with their pack animals. As the injured beast cleans his wounds in a stream, the young bear comes to his aid, and the giant takes the youngster under his wing. However, Bill and Tom have sworn revenge on the grizzly, and when they capture the young bear, it lures the giant back into the hunters' camp. L'Ours, released in English-speaking countries as The Bear, was based on the novel King Grizzly by James Oliver Curwood. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: Jean-Jacques Annaud
Written By: James Oliver Curwood, Gérard Brach
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Kids & Family, Art House & International

In Theaters: Oct 25, 1989 Limited
On DVD: Mar 7, 2000
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
In theme, Annaud's tale may recall the good Disney features, but its superlative (Oscar-nominated editing) production values and mature approach make it suitable fare for children and adults.
Charles Cassady, Common Sense Media
Live-action animal saga is incredible, and a bit scary.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Impressively engaging nature drama.
Staci Layne Wilson, StaciWilson.com
Click to read the article.
Bob Ross, Tampa Tribune
Superb nature yarn.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Has all the marks of a classic... it emphasizes the ties that bind the human and animal worlds together.

Read all 6 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Jason O

"The Bear" is the only movie I've ever seen of its kind. It's the story of a little orphaned bear and a wounded Kodiak bear who become friends and try to elude a couple of bear hunters. Along the way, the bears' friendship will grow stronger and they will face… More
"The Bear" is the only movie I've ever seen of its kind. It's the story of a little orphaned bear and a wounded Kodiak bear who become friends and try to elude a couple of bear hunters. Along the way, the bears' friendship will grow stronger and they will face dangers other than from the hunters, such as a mountain lion, dogs, and swift waters. "The Bear" is a great movie to watch, especially one to watch with the family. The bears are real bears, so they don't talk where you can understand them, but you can understand them perfectly by their actions and gestures. It's an exciting adventure with the bears. The movie has great photography with all the closeups and the footage of the animals. It also has great scenery because the movie was filmed in the Alps. If you like animals, I recommend getting "The Bear." It'll be a movie that you will never forget and that you will want to watch again and again for many years to come. There needs to be more movies like "The Bear." NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2000. This is no longer the only movie of its type I've seen, well maybe it still is. Started to say "March of the Penguins" is reminiscent of it but not really - great stuff here!
Lafe F

Nice scenery. An orphaned baby bear hangs out with an older daddy bear. There are humans observing this, with a stern warning from the older bear when they get too close. Not much dialogue. Lots of bear behaviour is captured nicely.
Constanza B

Great production, which really cares about animals as the movie portrays them in a light that only an animal lover would. I should know because I love animals, the score is perfect and the closing scene is nothing but heart warming and fulfilling. All people who like animals have to… More
Great production, which really cares about animals as the movie portrays them in a light that only an animal lover would. I should know because I love animals, the score is perfect and the closing scene is nothing but heart warming and fulfilling. All people who like animals have to see it.
Dimitris S

A meticulously rejuvenating film,not so much for the tutoring progress (a bear in need for instance),the guidance of this project keeps a succumbing passion of emotions,marvelous cuddles,a child's movie outside Hollywood's brainwashing fishy smell...
hawk l

Jean-Jacques Annaud's convincing, naturalistic motifs in which all animals, human and otherwise, seek their place within their environment. First-rate cinematography.
Sunil J

I remember seeing it in theatres and I remember being bored.
Leo L

After many years, I still find this movie heartwrenching but yet fantastic.