Fellow Movie Buffs

Monday, August 7, 2023

"A Bear Named Winnie"

 2004 * PG * 1h 30m  I've been a "Winnie The Pooh" fan for ages. Unfortunately I didn't read it as a kid, but came to it later on in life. However, I read it several times a year. It's just so charming, funny, and comforting to reread this wonderful classic. However, I never knew the story behind the lovable bear's origins until I saw this excellent movie. 

The story takes place during the beginning of WWI. The story begins with a group of soldiers who live in Western Canada are training to serve in the Veterinary Corp in Europe. One of the soldiers Harry (Michael Fassbender) adopts a bear cub. At first his superiors order him to get rid of the lovable cub. But when it's brought to the commanding officer's attention that they're allowed to have a pet as a mascot, he agrees to let them keep the bear. They proceed to smuggle the bear who they've named "Winnie" since he's from Winnipeg,  overseas with them. 

Before they're sent to Europe to the battlefront, they're stationed in England. Harry lends Winnie to the London Zoo for safekeeping. It's there that the friendly bear becomes the favorite attraction of hundreds of English children. And it's there when AA Milne first encounters the wonderful bear. Supporting actors include David Suchet and Stephen Fry. It's such a great story, I don't know why this film isn't better known. 

4 out of 5 stars

Streaming for free on Kanopy.com and Hoopla.com (with your library card), Freevee, and Tubi. Also on The Roku Channel, and Pluto TV. 

I couldn't find an official trailer so this will have to suffice:



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