A boy travels through time, and makes an unlikely friend along the way, to help save an animal from harm in this adventure fantasy for the whole family. Jimmy Dobson (Miko Hughes) is a preteen boy who visits a traveling carnival, "Aunt Molly's Circus," and is shocked to see a bear cub being treated with great cruelty by his trainers. Appalled, Jimmy decides that the bear cub, whom he calls Dudley, should be set free. Jimmy discovers a magical cave where one can travel back and forth in time, and he hits upon the idea of using the cave to take Dudley and himself back to the year 1841, where Dudley can be released into wilds where the carnival minders won't be able to reach him. However, Dudley wanders away at the last moment, and Jimmy travels into the past all by himself. There, he meets a mountain man and bear tracker (Dan Haggerty) who agrees to travel back to the 20th century with Jimmy so they can rescue the bear and take him to safety. Escape to Grizzly Mountain also stars Jan-Michael Vincent and Miles O'Keeffe.
~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide