GRIZZLY NIGHT (2026)

3 stars

Lightbulb Film Distribution. DVD and Digital. 2nd February

You would think from the poster image for GRIZZLY NIGHT this was one of those ‘nature takes revenge’ movies – whereas it’s a well made dramatic recreation of a couple of unexpected bear attacks that took place in the summer of 1967 at Glacier National Park in Montana.

A woman, Mrs Berry (Colleen Baum), confronts the park rangers about bear attacks – it would seem they are getting more dangerous and recently scared a group of Girl Scouts. One of the rangers, Joan (Lauren Call) assures her there has never been a bad bear attack in the some 50 years that the park has been open.

A gathering of all the rangers. Big lightning storm – with lots of ground strikes, meaning everyone is on fire watch. With the meeting over Joan is told by her chief Gary Bunney (Charles Esten) that she is to take a tour group into the territory, on a hike route she has never done – plus it’s overnight.

Meanwhile several of the local youngsters are planning camping trips into the forest. Julie (Brec Bassinger) and her boyfriend Roy (Matthew Lintz) are going to Granite Park, which means they can’t go along with her friend Michelle (Ali Skovbye) and her friends to Trout Lake. Julie’s co-worker at the local store, Paul (Jacobs Buster) is persuaded to tag along to the lake.

Joan and her large group eventually end up at the park chalet to eat and sleep for the night. Julie and Roy also turn up there but as it is full they decide to go sleep under the stars (which you know is a mistake!). When a couple of bears turn up outside the building there is much excitement and taking of photos – a thrill that will soon turn into fear!

We are treated to lots of shots of lakes, mountains and forest. This seemingly idyllic situation soon turn to tragedy – night falls and teen Roy staggers in covered in blood. ‘A bear got her’ he says, referring to his girlfriend…

Whilst this is being sold as an exploitation movie, it is a more realistic presentation and very well done – even if it is like one of those TV movies of the week from back in the day with added gore. Believably scripted by Katrina Mathewson and Tanner Bean and solidly directed by Burke Doeren, it is credibly acted by the cast. The various bears look like they are real and not CGI (but who can tell these days). The copyright date on the credits is 2024

Steve Kirkham