A Bear Named Winnie (2004)

In the tumultuous year of 1914, as World War I begins to unfurl its dark shadows, Army Lieutenant Harry Colebourn, a member of the Canadian Army Veterinary Corps stationed in Winnipeg, stumbles upon a heartbreaking scene in White River, Ontario. A young black bear cub left orphaned after a hunter ruthlessly eliminates its mother. Driven by his inherent rapport with animals, Harry intervenes, rescuing the cub and inadvertently setting in motion a tale of extraordinary comradeship. Baptized Winnie, an affectionate nod to her Winnipeg roots, the cub soon becomes the unexpected mascot for Harry's unit, eliciting a bond of warmth and camaraderie amongst most men. Yet, Winnie's presence stirs the disapproval of Colonel Barret, head of the Canadian Expeditionary Force's veterinary division, a stern albeit fair man who grapples with his own demons in the form of the capricious and self-indulgent General Hallholland. As Winnie's journey intertwines with Harry and his unit, it's not without its turbulence. The bear's endearing longing for human companionship evolves, complicating their impending mission overseas to the front lines in England and France. With Winnie's return to the wild becoming untenable and the hunt for a suitable home that can cater to her unique needs growing increasingly difficult, Harry is faced with an emotionally charged challenge. This remarkable tale, rooted in true events, charts the course of Winnie from an orphaned cub in Ontario to her ultimate destiny at the London Zoo. It's here that she inadvertently inspires the cherished tales of A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh, etching her paw prints in the annals of literature, forever resonating with the gentle hum of enduring friendship and the profound bonds formed in the most unlikely of circumstances.

A Bear Named Winnie is a drama movie featuring Gil Bellows.

A Bear Named Winnie is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on FILMRISE, Freevee, Kanopy, Pluto TV, Popcornflix, Redbox, The Roku Channel, Tubi TV and Xumo Play and it's also available on DIRECTV and Hoopla.

It is also possible to buy A Bear Named Winnie on Google Play Movies and YouTube.