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Everyone's favorite bear is back.
When Mark goes for a visit with his uncle he's thrown into a world he knows not much about. Little does he know it'll be a world he's going to have to become very familiar with. One character Mark becomes very familiar and friendly with is a very tame black bear who he later names Ben
Wuchak
Mar 3, 2019 · via TMDB
***Gentle Ben in the wilds of Northern California with Dean Cain and Ashley Laurence*** A boy from Los Angeles (Reiley McClendon) visits his ranger uncle (Dean Cain) in remote Northern California where he tries to save a friendly black bear from poachers and a rancher who’s convinced the bear is slaughtering his sheep (Corbin Bernsen). Gil Birmingham plays an AmerIndian ranger while Cody Weiant appears as a tomboy who assists the kid & bear. Released to TV, “Gentle Ben” (2002) wasn’t based on the late 60’s TV series, which took place in the Florida Everglades as opposed to Northern Cal. The movie was popular enough to produce a sequel with the same cast the next year. It belongs to the family wilderness drama/adventure genre and comes across as a meshing of movies like “Prophecy” (1979), “Magic in the Water” (1995) and “Free Willy” (1993), albeit with a TV budget. (Yes, “Prophecy” is a horror/thriller but, like the other two flicks, was shot in the same general region, has an Indian side character and involves a threatened animal species). Ashley Laurence from the Hellraiser series is on hand as the ranger’s potential babe, Dakota. She’s winsome and looks great in jeans; I wish she had a bigger role though. Ashley, the magnificent locations, the bear and the quality cast make this TV flick worth catching for those interested. Martin Kove even shows up as a genial mountain man. The movie runs 1 hour, 29 minutes and was shot in Placer County, Northern California (Auburn & Foresthill). GRADE: B-/C+
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
PixL Amazon Channel
Dean Cain
Jack Wedloe
Corbin Bernsen
Fog Benson
William Katt
Gittis Malone
Martin Kove
Cully
Reiley McClendon
Mark Wedloe
Ashley Laurence
Dakota
Gil Birmingham
Pete
Stephen Bridgewater
Norwood Malone
David Atkinson
Ranch Hand
J. Karen Thomas
Ms. Washborough
David S. Cass Sr.
Director
Stephen Bridgewater
Supervising Producer
Mader
Music
Impure Blood
Cheese
The Green Mile
Paths of Glory
Downfall
A Beautiful Mind
Jean de Florette
If I Could Marry the Minister
The Hustler
All the President's Men
Atonement
Manon of the Spring
Mary Poppins
The Violators
The Experiment
Scarface
Legends of the Fall
Murder She Said
2046
Les Misérables
Dangerous Liaisons
The Yin-Yang Master: Dream of Eternity
Before the Silence
Emil and the Detectives
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Les Misérables
Candy
Seabiscuit
Teinen Oyaji Kaizou Keikaku
The Tin Drum
Rosenbaum - Det sista vittnet
Revolutionary Road
Don't Look Now
The Count of Monte-Cristo
The Tiger Gang
The Fortress
The Boxtrolls
The Tale of the Fisherman and the Goldfish
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
To Die For
Rosenda
Bartleby
Fifteen Boys Adrift
Crash
Sleepless
Heart o' the Hills
A Boy and His Dog
Alice Through the Looking Glass
Atlantis
Sliver
The Story of O
Nightmare in Venice
Rosenbaum - Bländverk
The Robber Bridegroom
Bolshoi Ballet: A Hero of Our Time
Rajamaa
Counting Miracles
Detransition, Baby
7 Miles Out
Mistr a Markétka
A Dog's Purpose
Hilda and the Mountain King
Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess
Little Lord Fauntleroy
Bridge to Terabithia
Dragons: Rescue Riders: Secrets of the Songwing
Skater Girl
Anne of Green Gables
Where the Red Fern Grows
Miss Marple: They Do It with Mirrors
The Christmas Shoes
Voyage of the Unicorn
Tru Confessions
Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas
Horse Sense
The Assault
Twitches Too
The Color of Friendship
Dragons: Rescue Riders: Hunt for the Golden Dragon
The Hobbit
Where the Red Fern Grows
An American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong
A Wrinkle in Time
Mansfield Park
Double Teamed!
The Jungle Book
Johnny Tsunami
How Sarah Got Her Wings
Mar 25, 2002
Hallmark
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The Vast Landscape: Porcelain Stories
2014
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2022
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Battle your watched movies head-to-head
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Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
The Dark Knight
2008 · 14 wins
Halloween
1978 · 13 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
Halloween II
1981 · 11 wins
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What movie experience do you prefer?
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