Bear Island (1979)
A frozen Arctic island, a cast of Hollywood legends, and a deadly secret buried beneath the ice — Bear Island is classic cold-war thriller filmmaking at its most suspenseful.
Bear Island - Movie Information
- Original Title: Bear Island
- Release Year: 1979
- Directed by: Don Sharp
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Thriller, Action, Adventure, Mystery
- Age Rating (US): PG
- Runtime: 1h 58m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 5, 1979 (South Africa), August 1, 1980 (United States - PG), June 6, 1980 (Canada), December 27, 1979 (United Kingdom - PG), December 20, 1979 (Germany - 12), December 19, 1979 (France)
- Alternative Titles: Le Secret de la banquise (AF)
- Production Companies: Bear Island Films (U.K.) Limited, Canadian Film Development Corporation, Selkirk Films, Columbia Pictures
- Production Countries: Canada, United Kingdom
Bear Island - Plot
A group of people converge on a barren Arctic island. They have their reasons for being there but when a series of mysterious accidents and murders take place, a whole lot of darker motives become apparent. Could the fortune in buried Nazi gold be the key to the mystery? Donald Sutherland and Vanessa Redgrave investigate.
Bear Island - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the icy tension of Bear Island unfold:
Below freezing and beyond fear... Will anyone survive its terror?
Where to Watch Bear Island
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Bear Island - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Don Sharp
Main Cast
- Donald Sutherland
- Vanessa Redgrave
- Richard Widmark
- Christopher Lee
- Barbara Parkins
- Lloyd Bridges
- Lawrence Dane
- Patricia Collins
- Michael J. Reynolds
- Nicholas Cortland
Writers
- Don Sharp
- David Butler
Producers
- Peter Snell
Bear Island - FAQs
What is Bear Island about?
Bear Island follows a group of scientists and researchers stranded on a remote Arctic island where a string of murders and suspicious accidents begins to unravel. At the heart of the mystery lies a fortune in buried Nazi gold, drawing out hidden agendas and deadly betrayals among the survivors.
Is Bear Island based on a book?
Yes, Bear Island is adapted from Alistair MacLean's 1971 novel of the same name. MacLean was the bestselling author behind other classic thrillers like The Guns of Navarone and Where Eagles Dare, and his Arctic adventure translates well to the screen with its tense, isolated setting.
What is the Nazi gold connection in Bear Island?
The buried Nazi gold serves as the film's central MacGuffin. Several members of the expedition secretly know about a wartime cache hidden beneath the Arctic island, and it's this knowledge — and the greed it inspires — that drives the murders and sabotage threatening to kill everyone on the island.
Who are the main actors in Bear Island?
The film boasts a stellar ensemble cast led by Donald Sutherland and Vanessa Redgrave as the central investigators. They're joined by Richard Widmark, Christopher Lee, Barbara Parkins, and Lloyd Bridges — a remarkable lineup of Hollywood and British talent that gives the film considerable star power.
Where can you watch Bear Island online?
You can check current streaming availability for Bear Island on JustWatch, which tracks where the film is available to rent, buy, or stream in your region. Options can vary depending on your country, so it's worth checking for the most up-to-date listings.
Does Bear Island have a satisfying mystery resolution?
Bear Island builds to a climactic reveal that ties together the murders, the sabotage, and the Nazi gold conspiracy. While some viewers find the pacing deliberate, the payoff rewards patient audiences with a tense Arctic showdown that brings the film's web of betrayal and hidden motives to a dramatic close.
Who directed Bear Island and when was it released?
Bear Island was directed by Don Sharp, a veteran British filmmaker known for his work on Hammer horror films and action thrillers. The film premiered in South Africa on December 5, 1979, followed by a UK release in December 1979 and a US theatrical release on August 1, 1980.
Is Bear Island suitable for younger audiences?
Bear Island carries a PG rating, making it broadly accessible to general audiences. While the film deals with murder, sabotage, and wartime secrets, its thriller tone is more suspenseful than graphic. Older children and teens who enjoy classic adventure mysteries should find it an engaging watch.
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