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Parents' Guide to

The Polar Bear King

By Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Norwegian fairy tale is confusing, long, and a bit scary.

Movie PG 1994 88 minutes
The Polar Bear King Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 7+

Based on 4 parent reviews

Motorcitymull
Motorcitymull Adult
January 4, 2020
age 5+

Execution isn’t the best, but the story is fun

It’s pretty cringy, the acting is pretty bad, and the graphics are bad even for the 90s. But with all that said it’s still pretty enjoyable. The thing I like the most is the Princess has a very active role, and is very clever, which is cool to see in a more “traditional” fairytale. Kids will like it.

This title has:

Great role models
tsweds7
tsweds7 Parent of 3-year-old
October 11, 2019
age 7+

Oldie but goodie

Obviously not up to the visual standards we are used to today but I quite enjoyed this movie growing up.
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In a land of sunshine and flowers, a wicked enchantress, hoping to rule the world, places a curse on a handsome young king when he refuses to join her evil campaign. As punishment, she turns him into a polar bear. The curse will last for seven years, during which time he will revert to human form every night at midnight. He must never allow anyone to see his face, or he will be forced to marry the enchantress and be cursed forever. Journeying to the icy north where he will more easily adapt to the environment, THE POLAR BEAR KING meets the princess of his dreams. He tells her his story and gains her love and trust. Against the wishes of her caring father, the princess goes with him to his kingdom, where she becomes his wife and bears his children. But the king's future is endangered anew when, just before the curse is to end, the princess disobeys him and sneaks a look at his face while he's asleep. Her mistake sets the enchantress in motion once again.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4 ):
Kids say (1 ):

It's hard to determine whether it's the story, with its myriad confusing rules that define the "legend," or the production itself that makes this film so unenjoyable. With uniformly terrible acting, laughable attempts at "special" effects (the man in the polar bear suit and his ridiculous vocalizations are almost indescribable), and an assortment of grotesque characters (i.e., a banquet scene with bastions of ugly and bizarre guests slobbering over great plates of disgusting food), only the most undiscerning viewer will find anything to like in this clumsy attempt to bring a Norwegian folk tale to life.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about bringing folk tales to the screen. Why is it important to keep the story simple and make the characters' behavior believable? Does this film do that?

  • Why do you think the princess disobeyed her husband's important request and accepted the gift from her sisters? How did the princess make up for her terrible mistake?

  • Look up the term "folk tale." What stories have you read or movies have you seen that are memorable folk tales?

Movie Details

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