Bear Country (1953)

Taking from us one very chilly North American winter through to another, we follow the antics of a mother bear and her two curious cubs as they emerge from their snug den out into the melting snow and explore their surroundings. Whilst the youngsters find fun in just about everything, especially climbing trees and playing with baby mountain lions, their mother must engage in more productive activities like feeding them, teaching them, and keeping them safe from predators - chief of whom is actually another male black bear who will merrily slaughter the cubs if he gets a chance. This is one of Winston Hibbler’s more personable commentaries, I found, with some charm and light-heartedness guiding our exposé to the adventures of these giant animals atop the food chain amidst the trees and beauty of this untamed wilderness. I can’t help but wonder if they don’t have the right idea, these critters: sleep through the bitter cold of winter; wake up; eat, drink and be merry then go back to sleep for another five months!