Cry Wilderness

Cry Wilderness

Year: 1987

Runtime: 93 mins

Language: English

Director: Jay Schlossberg-Cohen

AdventureFantasyFamily

Paul, a young student, discovers a gentle Bigfoot‑like creature in the wilderness and forms a secret bond with it. Meanwhile his father, a park ranger, is tasked with tracking an escaped tiger that has the whole town on edge. David, a local, works to keep the creature hidden as tension rises.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Cry Wilderness yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Cry Wilderness (1987)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Cry Wilderness (1987). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 1980s

The events unfold in a contemporary era, with Coca-Cola, portable radios playing rock music, and a field-trip culture that fits a late 20th-century setting. The story references 'last summer' and a Christmas holiday, implying a school year arc and seasonal changes typical of that era. The timeframe anchors the Bigfoot legend in a pre-digital age, relying on outdoor exploration and local lore.

Location

Natural History Museum, Natural Park, Mining Town ruins in the park, Lake

The story begins with a field trip to a Natural History Museum before revealing a vast natural park where Will Cooper works as a ranger. The park contains wildlife habitats, a crumbling mining town ruin within its bounds, and a lake that becomes a focal point for the group’s quest. The setting blends educational exploration with rugged wilderness, creating a backdrop for mystery, danger, and folklore.

🏞️ Nature 🧭 Adventure 🐾 Wildlife 🗺️ Museum

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:22

Main Characters – Cry Wilderness (1987)

Meet the key characters of Cry Wilderness (1987), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Paul Cooper (Eric Foster)

A brave, curious boy who believes in Bigfoot and carries an amulet that glows in moments of contact. His imagination draws him toward adventure, sometimes clashing with adults’ push for rational explanations. He serves as the catalyst for reconnecting his father with the legend and guiding others toward faith in the extraordinary.

🎒 Child 🧭 Believer 🧩 Resourceful

Will Cooper (Maurice Grandmaison)

A park ranger and devoted father who navigates danger to protect his family. Practical and protective, he balances his duty with care for Paul, Jim, and the park’s wildlife. His character embodies responsible stewardship and the harsh choices that come with preserving both people and animals.

🌲 Father 🛡️ Protector 🐾 Ranger

Dr. Helen Foster (Faith Clift)

A veterinarian with the park, she cares for injured animals and supports the group during the crisis. Calm and capable, she provides medical insight and a stable presence as danger escalates. She represents compassionate science within the wilderness.

🐾 Veterinarian 🧬 Caregiver 🧭 Outdoors

Jim (John Tallman)

Will’s outdoorsman friend who joins the hunt and shows loyalty to his companions. He is cautious yet brave, contributing practical knowledge of the park and its dangers. His character adds cultural context to the expedition.

🪶 Outdoorsman 🗺️ Ally 🤝 Loyal

Red Hawk (Foster Hood)

An elder with deep knowledge of the land and a protective stance toward Paul and Bigfoot. He reveals vital truths about the legend and uses his amulet to shield them from harm. He embodies wisdom and a strong ancestral connection to the mountains.

🪶 Elder 🦅 Spiritual guide 🗝️ Protector

Morgan Hicks (Griffin Casey)

A ruthless big-game hunter hired to hunt the mysterious creature. He embodies greed and aggression, pressing the group into dangerous confrontations. His downfall comes from underestimating the park’s guardians and the power of belief.

🏹 Hunter 🗡️ Antagonist 🧿 Opportunist

Bigfoot (Tom Folkes)

A cryptid who appears as a protective, elusive figure rather than a mere monster. He interacts with Paul, enabling a bond between childlike wonder and the wild landscape. His presence blurs the line between myth and reality.

👣 Mythical creature 🛡️ Protector 🐾 Enigma

Sheriff (Joe Fuzz)

The park's sheriff who is on a mission to hunt the elusive large animal. He represents the edge of law enforcement clashing with legends and wilderness dangers. He learns that not all mysteries deserve to be pursued with guns and nets.

🕵️ Law enforcement 🗺️ Authority 🦅 Fearless

Mr. Douglas (Navarre Perry)

The headmaster who initially rebukes Paul’s stories as childish fantasies. His skepticism drives tension and highlights the gap between adult realism and youthful belief. He ultimately learns to open his eyes to the possibility of wonder.

🏛️ Authority 🗯️ Skeptic 📚 Educator

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:22

Major Themes – Cry Wilderness (1987)

Explore the central themes of Cry Wilderness (1987), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🪄 Belief vs Skepticism

Paul clings to fairy tales and the idea that Bigfoot is real, while adults demand proof. Mr. Douglas embodies rational skepticism, challenging Paul’s story. The film suggests belief can coexist with evidence, especially for children who see wonder where adults see doubt.

🌲 Nature & Wildlife

The park and its animals drive the plot—from the sick bird to the tiger on the loose and the rescued raccoons. The narrative emphasizes conservation, respect for wildlife, and the dangers of reckless hunting. Nature serves as both playground and perilous arena for the characters.

🧭 Adventure & Courage

Paul, Will, Jim, and Helen undertake a perilous trek through the park to rescue Will and uncover the Bigfoot legend. The journey tests trust, resilience, and moral choices, such as whether to pursue danger or protect lives. The quest culminates in a climactic confrontation that hinges on belief and teamwork.

🏛️ Authority & Folklore

The film pits school authority and law enforcement against local belief and folklore. Mr. Douglas and the sheriff seek to control the narrative, while Red Hawk and Bigfoot embody enduring wisdom. The resolution recognizes stories as valid possibilities rather than dismissing them outright.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:22

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Magical wilderness guardianship movies like Cry Wilderness

Stories where children befriend and protect gentle, mythical creatures in nature.If you enjoyed the magical bond between Paul and Bigfoot in Cry Wilderness, you'll love these movies. This list features films with similar stories of children forming secret friendships with gentle, mythical creatures in the wild, leading to hopeful, family-friendly adventures about belief and conservation.

whimsicalfamily-friendlymagicalhopefuladventurouschildhood wondernature mystery

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow a child or young protagonist who discovers a gentle, often misunderstood, magical being in a natural setting. The central conflict arises from those who wish to harm or expose the creature, forcing the protagonist on a quest to keep their friend safe, often with the help of a wise adult. The journey emphasizes themes of wonder, trust, and the importance of protecting nature's mysteries.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on their shared core premise of a child's secret guardianship of a magical creature, a consistently whimsical and hopeful tone, and a focus on lightweight, family-friendly adventure with a positive resolution that affirms the magic of childhood.

Gentle family adventure quests similar to Cry Wilderness

Hopeful journeys where family bonds are tested and strengthened by a shared mission.Fans of the lighthearted, hopeful adventure in Cry Wilderness will enjoy these similar films. Discover movies that blend wilderness exploration, gentle magical elements, and heartwarming family dynamics. These stories offer medium-intensity fun perfect for viewers seeking uplifting, straightforward adventures with happy endings.

hopefuladventurousfamily-friendlyheartwarmingwhimsicalupliftingwildernessquest

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a family, often a parent and child, embarking on a mission or quest set in the wilderness. The external challenge—like tracking an animal or solving a nature-based mystery—serves to bring the characters closer together. The pacing alternates between slower character-building moments and bursts of adventure, all while maintaining a consistently hopeful and whimsical atmosphere free from heavy drama or true danger.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their unique mix of a VARIABLE pacing that includes both quiet moments and adventure, a MEDIUM but gentle intensity level, a consistently WHIMSICAL or HOPEFUL tone, and a STRAIGHTFORWARD plot that ultimately reinforces positive family values and results in a HAPPY ending.

Unlock the Full Story of Cry Wilderness

Don't stop at just watching — explore Cry Wilderness in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Cry Wilderness is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Cry Wilderness Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Cry Wilderness, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Cry Wilderness Summary

Cry Wilderness Timeline

Track the full timeline of Cry Wilderness with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Cry Wilderness Timeline

Cry Wilderness Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Cry Wilderness that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Cry Wilderness Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Cry Wilderness

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Cry Wilderness: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Cry Wilderness

Similar Movies to Cry Wilderness

Discover movies like Cry Wilderness that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.