The Film (3.5/5)

Park ranger Michael Kelly (Christopher George) is proud of the National park he oversees. The park is untouched and for looks exactly the way it did when it was inhabited by Native Americans. But as the camping season is heading to a close, the park is suddenly menaced by a wild grizzly. One that is not park of the forest's natural bear population. As campers and rangers get picked off one by one it's up to Kelly and naturalist Arthur (Richard Jaeckel) to stop the killer grizzly by any means necessary.

GRIZZLY (1976) was one of the many movies to cash in on the runaway success of Steven Spielberg's JAWS (1975). The movie even borrows major set pieces with the biggest difference being the setting is in the woods instead of the ocean. Not only did it cash in on JAWS, but it fits handsomely into the Nature run a mok subgenre which includes movies like Alfred Hitchcock's THE BIRDS (1963) and FROGS. It was directed by William Girdler (SHEBA BABY, THREE ON A MEATHOOK), and is a prime example of taking a basic script and mixing it up with visual flair and some excellent performances.

Christopher George (Lucio Fulci's CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD, and Juan Piquer Simon's PIECES) is the ultimate tough guy as Ranger Kelly. A loose cannon of a man in the traditional action hero mold. Here he chews up the scenery and is endlessly watchable. Richard Jaeckel (THE GREEN SLIME, Toho's LATITUDE ZERO) is also a joy to watch as the offbeat nature man Who personally knows all the park's bears.

In terms of action set pieces, this bear doesn't pull any punches. No one is safe from this animal. One shocking scene even has a little boy falling prey to him. The bear does look a little silly once it's standing on two legs and almost hopping to his prey. But the action is deeply satisfying and there is never a dull moment. And yes, this the movie where the bear is attacked with a rocket launcher! It's a pure Drive-in classic!

Audio/Video (5/5)

GRIZZLY comes with an English 2.0 Stereo DTS-HD Master Audio sound mix. There is so hiss or pops. The musical score by Robert O. Ragland especially sounds lovely. The sound effects also come in clear. English subtitles are included.

The 1080p HD transfer is a real beauty as well. The black levels are well defined with no digital noise. There is some minor natural film grain, but no actual print damage. The Widescreen image is packed with detail and showcases the picturesque mountain locations.

Extras (3/5)

The main extra is an interview with David Del Valle called What a guy! In which he recalls the actor during his time in Hollywood as an agent. The interview is light and breezy but starts to head towards too many gossipy side stories. Rounding out the disc is the theatrical trailer and a booklet of liner notes by Calum Waddell. The case itself comes with reversible cover art.

Overall (4/5)

GRIZZLY is one of the most enjoyable of the Nature run a mok subgenre. 88 Films releases the film with a shiny transfer with a wonderful sound mix. Highly Recommended.