Grizzly

GRIZZLY Poster Available DVDs Poster Art Fun Facts File:Wdeulogo.jpg <flashmp3>http://www.grindhousedatabase.com/images/131-Grizzly_-B-_-30-.mp3‎</flashmp3> "Grizzly" radio spot

Also Known As

• Claws

• Killer Grizzly

• Grizzly - ihmissyöjä (Finland)

• Grizzly l'orso che uccide (Italy)

• Grizzly... sta nyhia tou tromou! (Greece)

Taglines

• 18 Feet of Man-Eating Terror!

• 18 FEET OF TOWERING FURY!!

• The most dangerous jaws on land!!!

• 18 feet of gut-crunching, man-eating terror!

• Not since JAWS has the terror been like this!

• This summer the National Park will be besieged by a killer grizzly bear!

Main Details

• Released in 1976

• Runtime: 91 min

• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

• Rating: USA/PG, UK/15, Australia/M, Finland/K-16

• Distribution Co: Film Ventures International

• Production Co: Montoro Productions Ltd.

Cast and Crew

• Directed by William Girdler

• Written by Harvey Flaxman and David Sheldon

• Produced by Harvey Flaxman, David Sheldon, Lee Jones, Edward L. Montoro

• Cinematography by William L. Asman

• Music by Robert O. Ragland

• Editing by Bub Asman and Christopher Ness

• Special Effects by Phil Cory

• Bear trainers: Monty Cox and Ruth LaBarge

• Starring Christopher George, Andrew Prine, Richard Jaeckel, Joan McCall

Film Review

Template:William Girdler Template:Eco Terror

After a nice display of aerial forest POV photography by chopper pilot, Don (Andrew Prine), we land at a scenic park site that looks to be somewhere in the Pacific Northwest, but, to my surprise, was actually filmed in Georgia! 'Tis the time for backpacking season where hikers and campers can freely roam about and explore the forests. After all, Ranger Kelly (Christopher George) and his troopers have reassured the public that the dangerous black bears have been tagged and moved from the premises and into higher ground. Yet, it's obvious that they missed out on catching one particularly big, bad nasty bear who has a HUGE appetite! Three poor victims soon fall into the claws and jaws of this monstrous bear, but wild-life expert, Scotty (Richard Jaeckel) informs everyone that this isn't the work of a regular black or brown bear, but of a gigantic grizzly which has a bloodline that goes back to the Jurassic age!

Not only is Grizzly an obvious cash-in on Jaws, it also takes a thing or two from the script/structure of that legendary shark flick. It has such similar plot points as having the inept and cowardly park supervisor who agrees to keep the park open despite the bodycount which continues to pile up, as well as having our three main heroes setting out to capture or kill the beast in the third act. Despite these familiar and recycled elements, as well as a music score which often feels lke it belongs in a made-for-TV movie, Grizzly still manages to be a fairly good time and one of the more simple, but effective, Eco-Terror flicks out there.

Consider this another gem from the tragically-cut-short career of William Girdler.

Reviewed by Laydback - 4/6/08