Bears (film)

Bears (film)
Name	Bears
Director	Alastair Fothergill, Keith Scholey
Producer	Alastair Fothergill, Keith Scholey
Narrator	John C. Reilly
Music	George Fenton
Cinematography	Sophie Darlington, Andrew Shillabeer
Editing	Andy Netley
Studio	Disneynature
Distributor	Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Released	2014, 04, 18
Runtime	78 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Bears (film). *Bears* is a 2014 American nature documentary film that chronicles a year in the lives of an Alaskan brown bear family in the coastal Alaska wilderness. Produced by Disneynature, the film was directed by veteran filmmakers Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey, with narration provided by actor John C. Reilly. It was released theatrically in North America on April 18, 2014, coinciding with Earth Day, and received generally positive reviews for its stunning cinematography and family-friendly storytelling.

Plot

The film follows a mother bear named Sky and her two newborn cubs, Amber and Scout, as they emerge from their den in the Alaskan peninsula and embark on a perilous journey to the rich feeding grounds of the coast. Their primary destination is the abundant salmon runs, but they must navigate threats including hungry wolves, aggressive adult male bears, and treacherous avalanches. The narrative focuses on Sky's relentless efforts to protect and teach her cubs survival skills, culminating in the family's preparation for the next winter hibernation after a season of growth and challenge.

Cast

The film features the brown bear family as the central characters, identified for narrative purposes. The primary voice cast consists of John C. Reilly as the narrator, who provides the anthropomorphized commentary and emotional context for the bears' journey. The film does not feature human actors on screen, instead relying on the documented behavior of the wildlife, including the bears, wolves, and other Arctic and coastal species that inhabit the Katmai National Park and Preserve region.

Production

Production was led by Disneynature, the Walt Disney Company's documentary label specializing in nature films. Directors Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey, known for previous Disneynature releases like African Cats and *Chimpanzee*, oversaw the project. The cinematography team, including Sophie Darlington and Andrew Shillabeer, spent over a year filming in the remote landscapes of Katmai National Park and Preserve and Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. The score was composed by longtime nature documentary composer George Fenton, and the film was edited by Andy Netley.

Release

*Bears* was released in the United States by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures on April 18, 2014. Its premiere was strategically timed for the Earth Day period, a common practice for Disneynature films. The release was accompanied by a marketing campaign highlighting the film's educational and conservation themes. As part of the company's "See *Bears*, Save Bears" initiative, a portion of opening week ticket sales was donated to the National Park Foundation to support protected areas in Alaska and Yellowstone National Park.

Reception

On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 91% based on reviews from critics, who praised its accessible storytelling and impressive visuals. Critics from The Hollywood Reporter and The New York Times noted the film's success in balancing educational content with engaging drama for a family audience. The film earned an estimated $18 million domestically against its production budget, performing comparably to other Disneynature releases like *Oceans* and *Earth*.

Accolades

The film was nominated for several awards recognizing its cinematography and family appeal. It received a nomination for Best Documentary at the 2014 Hollywood Film Awards. Composer George Fenton's score was nominated for Best Original Score at the International Film Music Critics Association awards. The film also won the Genesis Award for Outstanding Family Film from the Humane Society of the United States for its portrayal of wildlife.

Category:2014 films Category:American documentary films Category:Disneynature films