The Bear (1984 film)

Infobox Film | name = The Bear


caption =
director = Richard C. Sarafian
producer = James A. Hearn
Larry G. Spangler
writer = Michael Kane
starring = Gary Busey, Jon-Erik Hexum
music = Stephen A. Hope
cinematography = Laszlo George
editing = Robert Florio
distributor = Embassy Pictures
released = flagicon|USA September 28, 1984
runtime = 110 min.
country = United States
language = English
budget =
preceded_by =
amg_id =
imdb_id = 0086945
followed_by =

"The Bear" (1984) is a feature-length telemovie starring Gary Busey and Jon-Erik Hexum. The film was written by Michael Kane, directed by Richard C. Sarafian, and produced by James A. Hearn and Larry G. Spangler. "The Bear" follows the life of Paul "Bear" Bryant, head coach of the University of Alabama football team, who died in 1983.

Plot and cast

Production notes

Jon-Erik Hexum, who played Pat Trammell died two weeks after the premiere of this movie during a gun accident on the set of the TV show "Cover Up".

Reception

"Busey stars as Paul "Bear" Bryant in this reverential biography of the colorful Alabama college football coach, faithfully portraying him over a 50-year span, from his playing days with the Crimson Tide until his death in 1983. The film's chief fault is that it presents the Bear's life story without drama or conflict, so the only reason to watch this if you're not a Bryant devotee is Busey's outstanding performance. Busey had already proven his ability to become a character as the lead in "The Buddy Holly Story" (1978), and he went on to play another legendary sports figure, Joe DiMaggio, in "Insignificance" (1985). Making an appearance in [the film] is former Detroit Lions quarterback Hipple, who plays Illini quarterback Tony Eason in Alabama's thrilling 1982 Liberty Bowl victory." TV Guide [ [http://www.tvguide.com/movies/bear/review/102530 The Bear ] ]

References