Before 'Airplane!' Leslie Nielsen Fought A Bear
Deadpan comedy legend Leslie Nielsen is often best remembered for Airplane! (1980) and the Naked Gun franchise. Before that, Nielsen had a reputation as a dramatic actor, but when you look at parts of his early filmography, the word "dramatic" is… questionable. For example, Forbidden Planet (1956) is a campy, sci-fi delight, even if Nielsen's Commander Adams is more dramatic and stiff. Come 1977, Nielsen returned to B-movie sci-fi with Day of the Animals (1977).
Here, Nielsen plays Paul Jenson, a less-than-likable business exec who becomes an unhinged antagonist among a group of tourists hiking in the wilderness. This adds even more mayhem to a bizarre situation. Due to some questionable science, animals living at high altitudes plunge into madness and start attacking the group—with Jenson doing the same. However, it all culminates in Nielsen's baddie facing off against a bear.
Leslie Nielsen Meets A "Grizzly" Fate In 'Day Of The Animals'
TW: Mentions of sexual assault.
At his most psychotic, Jenson, who is also affected by the questionable ozone science, turns on the group that initially split off with him. After plenty of obscenities, fighting, and even murdering another member, he turns on Beth. However, his sexual assault of Beth comes to an abrupt end when a bear enters the mix.
This leads to a shirtless Nielsen wrestling a massive bear in the pouring rain. The scene is chaotic, with lightning flashes, menacing growls, and quick cuts of Nielsen, a trained bear, and of course, stunt doubles flailing around. The fight scene itself is spectacularly campy, and it culminates with Jenson's death, which feels pretty satisfying after his villainous downfall.
Why To Watch 'Day Of The Animals' (And What To Watch Next)
The good news is that you can watch Day of the Animals for free on JustWatch TV right now. That makes diving in easy, but if you're curious about whether you'll like the movie, ask yourself these questions. Do you want to see Nielsen in a wild role outside of spoof comedy? Are you a fan of campy B-movies like Grizzly (1976)? Do cult films speak to you more than well-made blockbusters? If so, Day of the Animals is worth watching at least once.
Those familiar with the rise of eco-horror films of the '70s will find a similar vibe here. In fact, Day of the Animals makes an excellent companion to other "nature fights back" movies like Frogs (1972), Kingdom of the Spiders (1977), and Squirm (1976), all fun cult movies for lovers of cheesy horror. The ozone plot might be dated, and the practical effects might be silly, but it all adds to the charm. This truly is an underrated Leslie Nielsen movie you can't miss!
