The Boy Who Wanted to Be a Bear

Starring:Marlon Vilstrup, Joachim Boje Helvang, Otto Brandenburg, Paprika Steen, Tommy Kenter, Thomas Bo Larsen, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Carla Docherty, Anne Clausen, Claus RyskjÃ¦r, Jesper Klein, Lisbet Dahl, Ellen HillingsÃ¸, Anne-Lise Gabold, William Tarding, Asta Lund HavmÃ¸ller, Nicoline JÃ¸nborg, Christopher Torreck, Bent E. Rasmussen, Carol Jacobanis
Director: Jannik Hastrup
Studio: Central Park Media
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

This mystical film from Danish director Jannik Hastrup tells the story of a polar bear couple who, after losing their stillborn cub, steal a baby boy to raise as their own. Mother bear names him "Little Bear" and, in time, teaches him to survive in the snow, catch fish from the river, and defend himself against wolves. The mother knows, however, that the happiness they share will not last forever--that eventually the boy's father will search for, and find, his son. When the father finally does "rescue" his son, returning him to the company of humans, the boy unwillingly lives with them as a wild misfit who struggles with his dual identity. Finally, he escapes to make a journey to the Spirit of the Mountain to determine who he really is. On one level, this is an enchanting story of a mother's sustaining love, yet the stronger message underscores the fragility of the relationship between man and beast. The stunning animation resembles watercolor paintings in motion, and the haunting musical melodies add a dialogue of their own. (Ages 10 and older) --Lynn Gibson

Description

Customer Reviews:

One of a kind!.......2007-06-30

Beautiful film! My 4 and 5 year olds loved it. I loved the cultural aspect to it that is so hard to find. In reference to the violence, it's not any more violent than Disney's Lion King.

This Storyline Makes No Sense.......2006-06-01

Okay, so Momma polar bear has a stillborn cub at the same time Momma Indigenous Woman has an Indigenous live baby. Momma polar bear is grief-stricken and Papa polar bear is beside himself, because she is in such a great valley of depression. So Papa bear makes a visit to the Indigenous Woman's house and takes Indigenous baby to give to Mama bear.

So the boy gets raised as a polar bear until Papa Indigenous Man hunts down all the polar bears, including Mama Bear (after he leaves Mama bear with the human kid, Papa bear leaves the plot. If he was so concerned about Mama bear, why did he leave?)

Anyway, the boy wants to be a bear, and in the end (SPOILER WARNING!!!!!!) he becomes a bear.

The film never focuses on the fact that the Indigenous mother and father lose their son, and their grief is downplayed. It's all focused on the silly female bear.

In my opinion, it was a poor way for Papa and Mama bear to deal with her grief. But maybe I'm just ignorant on the ways of polar bears.

The animation isn't too happening, either.

Definately not a Disney Move.......2005-05-04

Very surreal and dreamy picture about a boy taken from his parents by grief stricken bears who want to raise him as their son. He grows up, his Father reclaims him, and his struggle to become part of the wild again begins. A fantastic film, probably a little better for older children.

A Mythic Tale about Choices.......2005-02-27

"The Boy Who Wanted to be a Bear" is one of the most engrossing and magical animated feature-length films of recent memory. It's the story of a wild boy caught between two opposing worlds -- the village of men and the land of animals. In each, there are reasons to stay and reasons to leave, but the power of love helps to lead him toward his ultimate decision.

The soundtrack is marvelous (composed by the artist who scored Winged Migration and Himalaya), and helps to give the film some additional spirit. The animation is simple, yet powerful and rich -- the scenes have the youthful look of magic marker imposed over watercolor backdrops, and yet, because of this, the characters feel more real. The pace of the story is perhaps a bit too brisk at times, but overall this is a masterful film. I think that you and your children will enjoy this as much my the folks in our house did.

A word to the wise: purchase the Collector's Edition so that you'll have the option of the English audio track as well as the beautiful, original French audio track. It's a shame when studios consider original languages to be "extras."

The Boy Who Wanted to Be a Bear (Collector's Series Edition)

Average customer rating:

One of a kind!
This Storyline Makes No Sense
Definately not a Disney Move
A Mythic Tale about Choices

The Boy Who Wanted to Be a Bear (Collector's Series Edition)
Starring: Marlon Vilstrup , Joachim Boje Helvang , Otto Brandenburg , Paprika Steen , and Tommy Kenter
Director: Jannik Hastrup
Manufacturer: Central Park Media
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B0006JML2A
Release Date: 2005-02-08

Amazon.com

Description

A mother bear's cub dies in the Arctic wild, and her mate steals a human boy to be their son. The mother bear loves the child more with each passing day, and he grows as wild and free as the strongest bear. When the boy's human father arrives to take him back, the child must choose his own destiny. Can he return to humankind, or will his heart forever be the heart of a beast? Collector's Series Edition DVD Features: Anamorphic Widescreen Format, Interviews with the English Language Cast, Original Theatrical Trailer, The Boy Who Wanted to Be a Bear Background Information, Arctic Trivia Quiz, English & French whth English Subtitles, and more.

Customer Reviews:

One of a kind!.......2007-06-30

Beautiful film! My 4 and 5 year olds loved it. I loved the cultural aspect to it that is so hard to find. In reference to the violence, it's not any more violent than Disney's Lion King.

This Storyline Makes No Sense.......2006-06-01

Definately not a Disney Move.......2005-05-04

A Mythic Tale about Choices.......2005-02-27

L'enfant Qui Voulait Etre Un Ours (French ONLY Version - NO Subtitles)

Average customer rating:

L'enfant Qui Voulait Etre Un Ours (French ONLY Version - NO Subtitles)

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000CEDKLK

Product Description

French ONLY Version - NO English OPTIONS ------------To heal the sorrow of his mate after the death of their bear child, a male polar bear steals a newborn child from a nearby man and woman. The bears bring up the boy as their own, and he learns how to live like a bear. But the woman despairs over the loss of her child, and the man hunts down the bear family and brings the boy home. The boy faces the choice between becoming a boy again or learning how to be a bear on his own.

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