King of the Grizzlies facts for kids
Quick facts for kids King of the Grizzlies |
|
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster
|
|
| Directed by | Ron Kelly |
| Produced by | Winston Hibler |
| Screenplay by | Jack Speirs Rod Peterson Norman Wright |
| Narrated by | Winston Hibler |
| Starring | John Yesno Chris Wiggins Hugh Webster Jack Van Evera |
| Music by | Buddy Baker |
| Cinematography | Reginald H. Morris |
| Editing by | G. Gregg McLaughlin |
| Studio | Walt Disney Productions |
| Distributed by | Buena Vista Distribution |
| Release date(s) | February 11, 1970 |
| Running time | 93 minutes |
| Country | United States Canada |
| Language | English |
King of the Grizzlies is an adventure film from 1970. It was made by both American and Canadian teams. The movie was directed by Ron Kelly. It tells the story of a special bond between a man and a grizzly bear. Buena Vista Distribution released the film on February 11, 1970.
Story of the Film
The movie takes place a long time ago in the American West. Moki is a Cree Indian who works on a ranch. He is the foreman, which means he helps manage the ranch for Colonel Pierson. Moki has a special mark on his hand. It looks like a four-toed bear track, which is a sign of the grizzly bear for his tribe.
One day, a mother grizzly bear comes onto Pierson's land and attacks some cattle. Colonel Pierson shoots the mother bear and one of her cubs. But one cub gets away. This cub falls over a cliff and into a river, getting swept away.
Moki searches for the lost cub. He finds out it has only four toes on one of its feet. Because of this, Moki names the cub Wahb, which means "four-toed grizzly." Moki captures the cub and then sets him free far away from the ranch.
Wahb grows up and becomes a very large grizzly bear. When he is three years old, he appears near the ranch and scares a worker. Colonel Pierson then orders Moki to trap Wahb. But Wahb is too smart and avoids being caught.
Years later, Moki meets Wahb again in the mountains. The bear does not hurt him. Moki believes that he and Wahb share a special, mystical connection.
Wahb later returns to Pierson's ranch during cattle roundup time. He causes the cattle to run wild. Colonel Pierson decides he must kill Wahb. But Wahb is clever and starts to follow Pierson instead. Moki tries to warn Pierson, but the Colonel doesn't listen.
Pierson faces the bear directly. His horse gets scared and throws Pierson off. Wahb is about to attack Pierson. Just then, Moki arrives. He climbs down to help the Colonel. Wahb appears again, but Moki only has a small pistol, which is not enough to stop a big grizzly. Wahb leaves without harming Moki or Colonel Pierson.
Colonel Pierson still wants to shoot Wahb. But Moki tries to stop him. Wahb then scratches a tree with his claws. Moki explains that this means Wahb will stay in his own territory and not return to the ranch. Colonel Pierson still isn't sure. Moki then shows him that he has taken the rifle shells. Seeing how much the bear means to Moki, and hoping Wahb will stay away, Colonel Pierson finally agrees to let the bear live. They both go home.
Meet the Cast
- Big Ted as Wahb (the grizzly bear)
- John Yesno as Moki
- Chris Wiggins as Colonel Pierson
- Hugh Webster as Shorty Russell
- Jack Van Evera as Slim
- Winston Hibler as the narrator (the person telling the story)
