The Legend of Koo-Tan (1973)

Re-creation of an ancient Indian legend that tells of an amazing cougar whose bravery and fearlessness were legend. As the moons and suns passed many times, the great spirit turned Koo-Tan into the guardian spirit who forever roams the mountains defending young animals unable to protect themselves. This thrilling nature film depicts the bravery of a young cougar facing unbelievable odds in a stirring nature drama intended for the entire family. It is the incredible story of a wild journey taken by a young fearless cougar through the magnificent high country of North America. An epic adventure of one of the vanishing monarchs of the wild fighting to survive in the hostile elements which surround him. Filmed in the northwestern portion of the United States over a period of seven years, The Legend of Koo-Tan is an animal adventure film of gigantic proportion designed to excite and please a family audience of all ages. In addition to featuring the inspiring natural beauty of the surrounding mountains, the film is geared to instill in every viewer the spine tingling majesty of the diminishing animal world. During the film, through several seasons of adventures and mischief, the cougar grows into an inquisitive, playful yearling beginning to understand that life is not all play. Each new experience hunting for game is a lesson in growing and his lessons soon become reality as hunger drives him to become a skilled predator which nature has ordained. His experiences include fighting fierce combatants such as a young grizzly twice his size and a badger, one of nature's wildest predators. As he continues his hunting trips, he miscalculates time and distance and is hurtled headlong down a snow covered mountain far from his home. Attempting to retrace his steps, he again miscalculates and finds himself fighting for his life against the raging torrents of a wild river that cascades down the mountain that was his home. Soon he is far from his den and family and though safely out of the river, he is now wet, cold, hungry and tired. With the abilities nature has provided he begins the return from his wild journey over many miles and many months, propelled along by the instinctual urge to return home. Through blinding snows, scarce game, and bitter winds he manages to brave the winter and by spring, after enough harrowing misadventures to last a lifetime, he finds his way back to his own family.