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The Legend of Cougar Canyon
By Brian Costello,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Dated '70s documentary with some animal violence.
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What's the Story?
Not so much a story as it is an overview of how animals and Navajo live and survive in the desert climate of the Monument Valley of the American Southwest, THE LEGEND OF COUGAR CANYON spends the first half of the film essentially following around a cougar as it tries to find prey to hunt, kill, and eat. Other animals -- badgers, hawks, bears, rattlesnakes, cottontail rabbits, sheep, and goat -- are also shown pursuing or being pursued.
The second half of the film follows a Navajo boy named Steve and his white friend Walter as they camp out in Cougar Canyon while taking Steve's family's sheep and goat herd out to pasture. While watching a raccoon frolic, the cougar senses the boys are not paying attention and sees the opportunity for food. The boys rescue the herd, but while doing so, a goat valued by Steve's sister escapes from the herd and is being chased by the cougar, and it is up to the boys to try and rescue the goat before it is too late.
Is It Any Good?
For parents who can recall the days of nature shows like Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, there is some quaint charm to THE LEGEND OF COUGAR CANYON. The overbearing narration, the corny background music, the almost too-perfect choreography of the predators and prey in their habitat, all should bring back quaint memories of growing up pre-digital.
However, for kids and young adults weaned on Blu-Ray, 3-D television, HDTV, DVD, and even VHS nature documentaries, this slice of mid-20th century documentary filmmaking will most certainly prove too corny and dated to be of interest.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how nature documentaries have evolved since this one came out in 1974. Why does this feel dated compared to how nature documentaries are produced today?
How are the Navajo represented in this documentary? How accurately do you think this reflects their traditions and culture?
Why does the narrator have such an active role in this documentary?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: December 17, 2002
- Cast: Holger Kasper , Johnny Guerro , Steven Benally
- Director: James T. Flocker
- Studio: GAIAM
- Genre: Documentary
- Topics: Wild Animals
- Run time: 91 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 25, 2022
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