Search - Big Bear (2pc) on DVD

Big Bear

Kenneth Scheffler | Canada | 07/10/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This three-hour tv mini-series is based on Rudy Wiebe's novel The Last Temptation of Big Bear, which, of course, is based on the real life Cree chief Big Bear, and his struggle of his people to adapt to the inevitable encroachment of Anglo-Europeans onto their traditional lands. Overall, this is a good movie about an important event in Canadian history; it is a movie that Canadians should watch. Unfortunately, the production quality of the movie is typical of Canadian movies, and some of the acting and dialogue is mediocre at best. It is, in my opinion, a three star movie, but I've given it four stars because of the issues that it addresses."

No need for leggings and loincloths

Nico1908 | Florida | 09/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This movie is the only one I've come across so far that is filmed entirely from the Indians' point of view.

The fact that the Natives speak English and the Whites gobbledygook makes it possible for the viewer to relate to them much better than in movies where they speak native languages. Brilliant idea!

I liked that the Indians were using "White" tools and clothes. There are many movies depicting the mid- to late 1800s in which whole tribes are still clad entirely in buckskin, which is not realistic because by that time, Indians had been in contact with Whites for about 300 years.

"Big Bear" proves that you don't need loincloths and leggings to tell a story about Indians. You first and foremost need convincing characters portrayed by good actors. "Big Bear" has those - and more!"