Patrick Wayne is Bob Leslie, a Vietnam veteran who seeks peace and solitude in the remote mountains in the Pacific Northwest. Leslie becomes a caregiver to three friendly bear cubs who often create a bit of lighthearted mischief with their playful antics. While tending to the three cubs, Leslie also becomes aware of and involved in a heated struggle over land ownership between Native Americans and the United States government.
While not achieving the level of success of his famous father, the iconic John Wayne, Patrick Wayne made a valiant attempt to carve out his own path as an actor. Wayne made his uncredited film debut in John Ford's Rio Grande (1950) and appeared in small roles in several of his father's films--11 in total--with several directed by John Wayne's frequent collaborator, John Ford, including Mister Roberts (1955) and The Searchers (1956). By 1959, at the age of 20, Patrick Wayne, credited as Pat Wayne, starred in his first major film role in the Western The Young Lad. Wayne consistently worked in both film and television over the next four decades, including his role as Pat Garrett in the immensely popular revisionist Western Young Guns (1988).
Chief of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Chief Dan George (born Geswanouth Slahoot) embarked on an acting career at the age of 60, first appearing on Canadian television. After starring in the Walt Disney film Smith! (1969), his feature-length film debut, Chief Dan George was cast in Arthur Penn's Little Big Man (1970), starring Dustin Hoffman. He received rave reviews for his performance, including a New York Film Critics Circle Award and earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The success of Little Big Man led Chief Dan George to more significant roles, including appearing in Harry and Tonto (1974), The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) and Spirit of the Wind (1979). Chief Dan George died at the age of 82 in 1981.
This was the first feature-length film screenplay for writer John Whedon, who is the grandfather of writer/director/producer Joss Whedon, and writer/producers Zack Whedon and Jed Whedon. John Whedon is best known for his writing in popular television series such as The Andy Griffith Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Donna Reed Show and The Magical World of Disney.
The Bears and I also features the original song "Sweet Surrender" written and performed by folk singer John Denver.
Director: Bernard McEveety
Producer: Winston Hibler
Screenplay: John Whedon
Cinematography: Ted D. Landon
Editing: G. Gregg McLaughlin
Art Direction: LeRoy G. Deane and John B. Mansbridge
Music: Buddy Baker
Cast: Patrick Wayne (Bob Leslie), Chief Dan George (Chief Peter A-Tas-Ka-Nay), Andrew Duggan (Commissioner Gaines), Michael Ansara (Oliver Red Fern), Robert Pine (John McCarten) and Valentin de Vargas (Sam Eagle Speaker).
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By Jill Blake
