Bearskin: An Urban Fairytale (1989)

This relatively obscure Brothers Grimm tale has been updated and Americanized in this 19-minute story of a deal with the devil gone right, for once. A Civil War veteran without family or prospects is propositioned by a man with a plan and a cloven hoof. The soldier agrees to stop bathing and grooming for seven years while wandering the country in a bear hide in exchange for lifelong wealth. Just when the situation seems intolerable, "Bearskin" is able to help a man who, in return, promises him one of his three daughters as a bride. From this point the story is similar to the traditional version of Beauty and the Beast. The selfish daughters balk, leaving the kind daughter to come to the aid of their father--and find reward in the end. The performances, costumes, and camera work in this "From the Brothers Grimm" series are professional and charming without being cloying. The content and pace will engage students 8 and older, and their parents. --Kimberly Heinrichs Amazon.com

Great film

Firstly, should say that this film does not have Tom Waits in it as indicated on the display page. There is another movie by the same names that does have Tom Waits in it but its not this film, although Tom Waits would have been cool in this one. This is based on Grimm fairy tales and is filmed in a very candid and narrative manner, which makes it an intelligent movie for kids and also an everlasting tale for an adult too. Great work everyone and have a good day!! See you at the movies, or in this case at the good old VCR and the VHS - not betamax though, sorry Sony - geez you'd thought I was captious or something - ha! December 9, 2005

This is how fairy tales should be filmed.

This is one of my favorite "children's" films. I use the quotes because like all great fairy tales, in whatever media, this is one that speaks to all ages. I have watched this film many many times and have found it very enriching, especially, after multiple viewings, on a spiritual level. The symbolism of the broken ring, first seen in a wine glass with wine in it (chalice?) then made whole from its two pieces, is resonant, I believe, with Christian meaning, which is consistent with the more explicit challenge the soldier makes with the devil; in the end, the former even tries to force the latter to "say the Lord's Prayer", which is too much for the hoofed one.
This is part of a series done by the filmmaker Tom Davenport, who has done a number of great filmed fairy tales, all of them set in American locales. This is one reason why they are so appealing--he has taken what might seem more distant and made it more immediate, even if the settings are still in the past. In the tradition of all great art, he has transposed the story to another place and time, thus proving the universality of the tale.
A final note: one of the most beautiful shots of the film is when Bearskin reaches out his dirty "paw" to the good daughter and she extends hers as well, meeting it, despite her fears. The contrast between the two--his with longs nails, and blackened, hers small and white and delicate, is really wonderful. October 31, 2005

The splendor of a bath

Even forgetting the themes of this tale and fine bit of film making, this film will remind you to be grateful for your next bath or shower.

Bearskin, a Civil War veteran, makes a deal with the devil and comes out victor, although he pays dearly for his deal for seven years. He agrees to wear the devil's green coat and a bearskin for seven years without bathing or washing his clothes. He also cannot groom his nails. Although he has plenty of money, he learns that he cannot buy friends or physical comforts very easily when he is unwashed and grotesque. There is a very humbling and disgusting moment when we see Bearskin picking at lice and and vermin on his body.

Bearskin is never the monster in spirit that he appears in body, however. He gives money to a man about to lose his home and family. The man then offers one of his daughters to Bearskin in marriage, although Bearskin does not ask for this. The two elder daughters are eager to marry a rich man until they see him in all of his filthy rags. The youngest daughter, eager to keep her father's word, agrees to marry him after his seven years are up.

Eventually, the devil returns and admits that Bearskin has won the bargain. Bearskin insists on being made clean again and the grooming scenes are just as refreshing for the viewer as they are for Bearskin. The message that appearances can be deceptive is another subtext of the film.

All ends well, except for the two greedy sisters, who the devil claims have made his bargain a good one--he got two souls for the price of one.

This film will work better for older school audiences, perhaps 8 and up. April 7, 2001

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