I'm in the process of re-watching some of the old horror movies I saw as a kid. I remember the boxes with the often lurid cover art standing by the VHS player, and I couldn't wait for the evening to come, so I could watch them. OK, despite the negative reviews this one has gotten, the first 3/4 works surprisingly well. It could have worked as a more low-key character drama with some environment, Indian myths superstition-elements. What drags the movie down is the mutant bear. Though probably OK by the standards then, it looks risible now. The last 1/4 collapses totally, and seems to have been quickly thrown together without any enthusiasm. The ending is very abrupt and leaves many question marks. It is as though Frankenheimer abandoned the movie altogether. What works is Leonard Rosenmanns score, the locations, photography and the overall fine acting. A pretty entertaining Sunday afternoon movie if you don't have too high demands.
