Grizzly Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A giant bear really wants to eat people, and some guys with questionable problem-solving skills try to stop it… spoiler: they use a bazooka.

🍿 Grizzly: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Initial Attacks and Investigation

The film opens with a peaceful scene of a helicopter tour over a vast national park. This tranquility is shattered when two female hikers are brutally attacked and killed by a massive grizzly bear. Park Ranger Michael Kelly and photographer Allison Corwin investigate the gruesome scene, discovering the horrifying extent of the bear’s ferocity.

Unheeded Warnings and Mounting Casualties

Despite the evidence pointing to a dangerous predator, Park Supervisor Charley Kittridge refuses to close the park, prioritizing tourism over safety. As a result, the grizzly continues its rampage, claiming more victims, including a park ranger bathing in a waterfall and a camper in a lowland campground. The attacks escalate, drawing national attention and intensifying the pressure on Kelly to stop the beast.

The Hunt Begins

Kelly enlists the help of helicopter pilot Don Stober and naturalist Arthur Scott to track down the grizzly. Scott identifies the bear as a prehistoric specimen, far larger and more dangerous than any known grizzly. Their attempts to capture the bear are complicated by Kittridge’s decision to allow amateur hunters into the park, leading to further chaos and bloodshed.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Michael Kelly (Christopher George): The Chief Park Ranger who attempts to protect the park’s visitors from a giant grizzly bear, often clashing with his supervisor.
• Don Stober (Andrew Prine): A military veteran helicopter pilot who assists Kelly in hunting the grizzly, providing aerial support and expertise.
• Arthur Scott (Richard Jaeckel): A naturalist who possesses extensive knowledge of bears and joins Kelly and Don in the hunt, believing the grizzly is a prehistoric anomaly.
• Charley Kittridge (Joe Dorsey): The Park Supervisor who prioritizes the park’s revenue over safety, initially refusing to close the park despite the grizzly attacks.
• The Grizzly (N/A): A massive, prehistoric grizzly bear terrorizing a state park, exhibiting unusual intelligence and aggression towards humans.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Don Stober: “Well, let me tell you a little story, boy. A long time ago, there was a tribe of Indians up here in these woods… This herd of grizzlies smelt them out. They came in an’ they ate them! They tore them all up!” – Don tells a campfire story to describe how dangerous grizzlies are.
• Arthur Scott: “This isn’t any ordinary bear. This is a prehistoric grizzly, a survivor. Fifteen feet tall, at least two thousand pounds.” – Scott tries to explain to Kelly and Don the true nature and size of the bear they are hunting.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $750,000
• Domestic Gross: $1.4 million
• Worldwide Gross: $39 million

💥 Grizzly Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, ‘Grizzly’ is a bit of a guilty pleasure. I first saw it late at night and the ridiculousness of it made me laugh and jump at the same time! The plot and some of the bear attacks are just so over-the-top, that you can’t help but be entertained. I found the scene where the bear attacks the helicopter particularly memorable, in a so-bad-it’s-good kind of way. It’s definitely one of those movies where you need to check your brain at the door and just enjoy the ride!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 1970s monster movies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy creature features with practical effects”
  • “Those looking for a campy and nostalgic horror experience”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence and gore”
  • “Animal attacks”
  • “Some scenes may be disturbing for sensitive viewers”

Professional Reviews

• The Hollywood Reporter: “While clearly inspired by ‘Jaws,’ ‘Grizzly’ delivers a surprisingly effective creature-feature experience. The attacks are visceral, and the mountainous setting adds to the tension. However, don’t expect subtlety; this is pure 70s exploitation.
• CBR: “‘Grizzly’ shamelessly rips off ‘Jaws,’ but it provides enough B-movie thrills to be entertaining. The acting is campy, the effects are cheesy, and the plot is predictable, but the sheer audacity of it all makes for a fun watch.

Audience Reactions

Campy fun and outrageous bear attacks make for a hilariously entertaining movie night.: Most viewers find the film entertaining due to its campy nature and the over-the-top, gory bear attacks.

Overall Consensus: ‘Grizzly’ is largely viewed as a campy and cheesy rip-off of ‘Jaws,’ but it offers B-movie entertainment to fans of creature features.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “”Grizzly” was filmed in Clayton, Georgia, utilizing the beautiful backdrop of Black Rock Mountain State Park for its wilderness scenes.”
• “The film’s low budget meant creative solutions were needed to portray the massive grizzly, often using perspective shots and selective glimpses to create the illusion of its size.”
• “Despite its reputation as a “Jaws” rip-off, “Grizzly” became a box office success, briefly holding the record for the highest-grossing independent film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Grizzly?

As a classic film, ‘Grizzly’ can be found on various platforms. Check streaming services like Prime Video or Apple TV for rental or purchase options. Physical copies on DVD or Blu-ray may also be available from retailers like Amazon or local media stores. Availability may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Grizzly, you might like these similar films:

• Jaws (1975): The original nature-runs-amok blockbuster that Grizzly blatantly emulates in plot and structure.
• Prophecy (1979): Another 70s eco-horror film featuring a mutated creature terrorizing a wilderness setting.
• Backcountry (2014): A modern horror film about a couple lost in the wilderness who are stalked by a black bear, delivering suspenseful and realistic bear attack sequences.
• Day of the Animals (1977): Another animal attack film directed by William Girdler, starring some of the same actors from Grizzly, featuring multiple animals terrorizing people.

🛒 Grizzly Related Products

• Grizzly [Blu-ray]: This Blu-ray includes a 2K scan from the internegative, interviews with cast and crew, and a commentary track. Perfect for collectors who want to own the best possible version of the movie.
• Bear Attack Survival Guide: How to Survive a Grizzly Encounter (Kindle Edition): Learn expert tips and strategies for surviving a bear attack. Covers everything from bear behavior to self-defense techniques, making it a valuable resource for hikers and campers.
• Bear Claw Necklace: A stylish necklace with a bear claw pendant. Perfect for fans who love the rugged and outdoorsy aesthetic of ‘Grizzly.’
• Grizzly Movie Poster: A high-quality reprint of the original ‘Grizzly’ movie poster. A perfect addition to any horror movie collection and a great way to show your love for this cult classic.

🎧 Soundtrack

Grizzly features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “What Makes a Man a Man?” – performed by Robert O. Ragland

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

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Ever wondered how accurate those bear attacks in movies really are? This expert breaks down scenes from films like ‘The Edge’ and others to see what Hollywood gets right (and wrong!). I was surprised by some of the details they pointed out!

Black Bear Attack on Jacqueline Perry & Mark Jordan- The Real Story of The Movie Backcountry

Did you know that some movies are based on true events? This is a gripping account of a real-life bear attack that is supposedly inspired Backcountry. Gives you a whole new appreciation (and maybe some chills!) for the movie.

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