As far as I know, "Life and Times" is only available on old VHS tapes, where no doubt it was a pan-and-scan transfer. That is really too bad. I haven't seen it since it originally came out, when I was 13, and I doubt it would be any major revelation now--at the time it was meandering, episodic, nothing very special but a pleasant family-friendly variation on "Jeremiah Johnson," with Dan Haggerty an appealing presence in the title role. But what I really remember about it was that while nothing else about the film was all that memorable, the wilderness photography was gorgeous. That's exactly the sort of thing you lose in decades of crappy transfers to TV and VHS without a major studio upgrading the quality of the home-format releases. (And while I have no idea who owns the rights now, they probably aren't interested in making that investment, and god knows Sunn Classics is probably looooooong gone. Particularly since none of their other films seem to have gotten DVD/Blu-Ray treatment, either.) The same year, I also loved another (somewhat better if less commercially successful), "Where the Lilies Bloom," and while you can find that on YouTube easily enough, it's also in sore need of restoration--I remember how stunning the photography of Appalachia was in 1974, and you can't tell that from the existing transfers. Anyway, I enjoyed the original "Grizzly Adams," but won't risk revisiting it until the unlikely day that somebody puts out a letterboxed digital restoration. Because whatever the film lacked in plot or finesse, it made up for in beautiful photography of spectacular scenery, and I'd hate to see that reduced to pan-and-scan and faded colors.

This is something between documentary and TV show about nature. In 19th century man is falsely accused of murder that he did not commit, so he flees to mountains where he saves rears grizzly cub. Movie follows next 10 years of his life in wilderness in harmony with nature with grizzly bear as his best friend. There is no dialogues, it's made as documentary followed by first-person narrative. There's not much plot either, but it is full of beautiful landscapes and various wild animals keeping company to our narrator. Movie became very popular so they made TV show few years later. Show was more movie-like, with plot for every episode, dialogues and such. When I was about 8 or 9 years old, I remember it was shown on Sundays and me and my sister wouldn't miss it for anything. It is simply beautiful. warm recommendation to everyone who loves nature and animals.8/10

Saw it when I was 11 or 12 in a Montreal movie house. Was in well dubbed French version (Quebec dubbing with late French actor Leo Ilial doing the voice of Mr.Haggerty, who recently passed away).Story was a tale of taming the wilderness, especially when he takes care of a bear cub, which became a huge grizzly bear. One specific thing that touched me is when he took care of an injured native, whom he became a "blood brother" and protector. However, he must stay out in the wild as he is a wanted man, pursued for a crime he never committed. His daughter finally reaches him, but he adopted the solitude of the woods.Well photographed at the time, and would have believed that Disney would have shot a movie like this, however, it was Sun International who did this (they produced also a movie about a grizzly, named "Toklat").Great to watch if you enjoy the wilderness. I did.

They don't make films like this anymore, sadly, since it presents such a thoughtful and gentle view of living in harmony in the wild with animals that it no doubt is called "corny" by modern cynics that are far too jaded by our coarse modern culture.Dan Haggerty debuts as James "Grizzly" Adams, and is perfect casting, though it is a shame that the narration doesn't allow him to speak very much! Great score, lovely scenery, and pleasant(though still sad) story are all pluses. Schick Sunn Classics produced this, as well as other Documentary films like "In Search Of Noah's Ark", "The Lincoln Conspiracy" & "Beyond & Back".Not yet on DVD, an oversight I hope gets corrected soon!This film was a huge hit, and led to the TV series.