Released in 1979 and directed by Hammer-alumni Don Sharp from Alistair MacLean's novel, "Bear Island" is an arctic thriller about an international group meeting at the eponymous isle near the Arctic Circle off the Northern coast of Norway. Several people die under dubious circumstances and it becomes clear that some of the personnel are doing the killing; and why. Donald Sutherland, Lloyd Bridges and Vanessa Redgrave play the main protagonists while Richard Widmark plays the curmudgeonly leader of the expedition. Christopher Lee is also on hand as an interesting loner.
Unlike similar arctic thrillers, like 1968's "Ice Station Zebra," which was absurdly set-bound, "Bear Island" features great location shooting with Alaska substituting for Norway. There's a lot of action, including an avalanche, several explosions, a great knock-down-drag-out fist fight and a falling radio tower; there's also some good tension between the characters. But something keeps "Bear Island" from standing out. The script needed SOMETHING to make it more compelling, like a head-turning female or a steamy romance. Yes, Barbara Parkins is on hand, but her role is too small; and Redgrave's part is thoroughly academic. Nevertheless, there's enough good here to give it a marginal recommendation for those who appreciate realistic (to a point) arctic adventures, like 2009's "Whiteout." Sutherland, for instance, is excellent as the main protagonist.
The film runs 118 minutes and was shot in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, and British Columbia, as well as studio work in England.
GRADE: B-
Unlike similar arctic thrillers, like 1968's "Ice Station Zebra," which was absurdly set-bound, "Bear Island" features great location shooting with Alaska substituting for Norway. There's a lot of action, including an avalanche, several explosions, a great knock-down-drag-out fist fight and a falling radio tower; there's also some good tension between the characters. But something keeps "Bear Island" from standing out. The script needed SOMETHING to make it more compelling, like a head-turning female or a steamy romance. Yes, Barbara Parkins is on hand, but her role is too small; and Redgrave's part is thoroughly academic. Nevertheless, there's enough good here to give it a marginal recommendation for those who appreciate realistic (to a point) arctic adventures, like 2009's "Whiteout." Sutherland, for instance, is excellent as the main protagonist.
The film runs 118 minutes and was shot in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, and British Columbia, as well as studio work in England.
GRADE: B-