| REVIEW | Ryan Morrissey-Smith |
- Director: Burke Doeren
- Writers: Bo Bean, Katrina Mathewson, Tanner Bean
- Stars: Brec Bassinger, Lauren Call, Joel Johnstone, Oded Fehr
Based on the 1967 “Night of the Grizzlies” bear attacks which saw two separate grizzly attacks near Granite Park Chalet in Glacier National Park. The way Grizzly Night starts out, I was expecting a fun animal amok thriller, but it gets grim, concentrating on the human survivors. The film feels more like a disaster film, with various pockets of people attacked or injured and how they are trying to survive.
It’s a busy time for the rangers at Granite Park. Fires burning in the park are threatening to get out of control, they have a packed schedule of campers and hikers ready to spend the night. There has been talk of increased bear activity but the threat of bears in park, is minimal – there has been no attacks to date. Of course, we all know what comes next…
Director Burke Doeren does good job of capturing the smaller, personal stories amongst the vast Granite Park. It gives the film a base by grounding all the characters, so when these people are in trouble it gives the stakes an emotional edge. The cast is quite large and for the most part good without being great. Lauren Call as rookie park ranger Joan gets the most to do and gives a fine performance.
The film plays everything quite straight, being a true story they seem to have stuck with all the main points with embellishing for any set pieces. Whilst the bear attacks are mostly off screen or quick cuts, Grizzly Night has some gnarly practical wounds to see on those people that get injured. However, there in lies the problem – the film sits in between a made for TV film and a more serious film, the tone is uneven. That’s due to some of the writing and acting choices which tips it a little bit into melodrama.
Grizzly Night is an entertaining film and if you don’t know the story it is based on, you may be surprised where it ends up. Don’t have your expectations set for a creature feature because you’ll be disappointed, but Grizzly Night provides a no-nonsense look at a very grim night in US National Park history.
Grizzly Night is available now.
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