Reviewing Movies

A CBC Production

I’ve been to White River, Ontario where the orphaned bear cub that was to become mascot to a Canadian Veterinarian Regiment and inspiration for Winnie the Pooh was found. This movie using Canadian Actors highlights the caring relationship between the men and the bear cub they nurtured and protected from officialdom as they carried it aboard a train and smuggled it on a troop ship to England and beyond. The story has been much romanticized in the past but here we see the practical challenges involved in caring for an orphaned wild animal while on active duty caring for horses often ridden by ranking officers.

When the regiment disbanded the bear was donated to a London Zoo where it became a major attraction for children who hand fed it treats. One of the most poignant scenes in the entire movie sees the adult bear being led into a veteran’s hospital where she visits one of her former caretakers who lies in near catatonia from PTSD. One marvels at the producers who found at least two domesticated bears to star in this film. As the saying goes never act in a movie with children or animals, being hugged by a fully grown bear seems beyond the pale.