Director Jean-Jacques Annaud – who also made another beautiful animal movie, Two Brothers (2004), about two tiger cubs that’s worth seeking out – was the man behind the camera for this stunning nature drama The Bear (also known by its French title, L’Ours).
The Kodiak bear of the title, played by Bart the Bear (who also starred in The Edge, Legends of the Fall and White Fang), protects a young orphaned cub (Youk) from hunters. There’s virtually no dialogue (and a very small human cast) as the pair evade the men, but this is riveting throughout (parents of younger children should note that Bart does get lucky with another bear at one point!) as the young female cub and the older male bond and try to survive.
Beautifully filmed, this may bore (or frighten) younger viewers, but will fascinate older kids and adults.
Is The Bear suitable for kids? Here are our parents’ notes...
There are a few violent scenes that would scare younger children – one bear is crushed by rocks, another is shot.
There is also a scene in which the bear is attacked by dogs.
If you like this, why not try: March Of The Penguins, White Fang, Born Free, The Black Stallion, Kes,