Claws (film)

Claws is a 1977 U.S. horror-thriller film. Released soon after the highly successful Jaws, Claws attempted to translate the man-meets-deadly-animal theme to Alaska.

Plot summary
A mature male grizzly bear living Alaskan mountains is stalked and wounded — but not killed — by poachers. The bear then goes to war on humans. Casualties include a logger, campers, hikers, hunters, a juvenile Boy Scout, and the local sheriff. With the backing of Alaska Forest Commissioner Ben Jones, master hunter Jason Monroe must find and kill the deadly animal. He is aided by Native Alaskan Henry, and is challenged by romantic rival Howard.

Cast

 * Jason Evers as Jason Monroe
 * Leon Ames as Commissioner
 * Anthony Caruso as Henry
 * Carla Layton as Chris
 * Glenn Sipes as Howard
 * Buck Young as Pilot
 * Myron Healey as Sheriff
 * Buck Monroe as Buck Monroe
 * Wayne Lonacre as Gil Evans
 * Bill Ratcliffe as Marshal

Production
Claws was shot on location in and around Juneau by Alaska Pictures, an independent production company.

Critical response
Critic Jon Abrams labels Claws "a mishmash of most of the popular genre tropes at the time" of release, but praises the independent film for its "impressive array of stock footage."