The Bear

A young polar bear cub is spotted by seamen and captured during a voyage at sea. He is taken aboard the ship, separated from his family, and begins a life in captivity. This capture sets the stage for the bear's later chance meeting with a girl named Tilly.

The bear grows up in confinement and spends nights gazing at a distant star. That star becomes a quiet beacon in his prison, hinting at a world beyond his cage. He falls asleep under the same star, waiting for a chance to roam.

During a day trip to the London Zoo, Tilly accidentally drops her teddy into the bear pen. The bear wakes, spots the teddy, paws at it, and finally retrieves it, carrying it off to his cave while Tilly watches in shock. Her lost toy now in the bear's possession foreshadows a strange friendship to come.

That night, the polar bear returns the teddy by entering Tilly's room through her window. She wakes to find him in her room, smiling as he places the bear by her bed. The moment marks the beginning of an unlikely companionship.

The following morning, Tilly rushes downstairs to feed the bear. She finds the bear excreted on the stairs and later almost slips in his urine as she cleans it up. She mops the floor and begins washing and caring for him in the bathroom.

In the kitchen, the bear causes a mess while being fed honey. His nose gets stuck in the honey jar, eliciting a mix of amusement and frustration from Tilly. She continues to look after him, tolerating his mischief as their bond grows.

The pair head to Tilly's parents' bedroom and settle down to watch The Snowman. The bear then hides under the bed as Tilly's parents return from work. That night, the two drift to sleep side by side.

A gust of wind knocks a snowglobe off the bedside table, revealing the Star Bear constellation within. The bear stares at the star, and Tilly follows him outside to observe the sky. They glimpse a magical figure in the stars and feel the start of a grand journey.

In a wide open park, Tilly, the polar bear, and the Star Bear set off on a fantasy tour of London. They bring life to a display of Christmas angels and a Father Christmas figure, passing landmarks like Nelson's Column along the way. Their magical voyage begins to blend reality with wonder.

They skate on the frozen River Thames, the scene set to a radiant refrain. The city glides past as the trio explores the capital with a dreamlike quality. The bond between Tilly and the bear deepens in this enchanted ride.

The trio moves toward the London Docks, where a ship cuts through the ice and leaves Tilly stranded. The polar bear returns to rescue her just as the ship begins to move forward. The daring rescue cements their friendship and courage.

The Star Bear looks toward the North Star, and the polar bear turns to look at Tilly as they share a tearful goodbye. The Star Bear returns home with Tilly, who is given a shining star as a keepsake. The scene includes a glimpse of the Tower of London and the bear pen, hinting at his origins.

At sunrise the next morning, Tilly wakes to find the windows open and the Star Bear's constellation fading. The shining star vanishes from her hand, leaving her to wonder about the bear who visited her window.