The Grizzly & the Treasure

Even when I first saw this as a kid, I noted with disappointment there was nothing special about it. For once, the plot isn't my complaint; it's really quite interesting: a dentist-turned prospector, Ezra, brings his family from California to Alaska in the late 18th century in search of gold. After finding it, however, he's reluctant to leave, even when winter sets in early. Also, he's become cold and miserly, and when he attempts to dispose of the grizzly cub his 10-year-old son Kidd takes in, he's wounded by its mother and his family is stranded in the unforgiving climate. I guess there's even a good moral thrown in to those who want it. The score and footage of wildlife throughout the movie are enjoyable, but there is another sound which spoils almost everything good in it - the narration. It used the word "gold" about 100 times when referring to the protagonist's obsession, and I was surprised the writers never thought of saying "riches", "treasure", or "wealth" for a change. It also describes everything that happens detail by detail, which robs the actors of plenty of chances to converse with each other and let the audience note for itself what's happening. As a result little character development is shown. Eve becomes less timid and Ezra probably has a change of heart after his injury - though we never know for sure. He never speaks after he's mauled; the narrator only says Eve knows he'll change. I felt there were many chances to get a deeper view at the story that were flung at me by a background storyteller. This isn't bad, but it's very mediocre.