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American born Timothy Treadwell spent thirteen
summers in Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska. Over time, he
began to believe he was trusted by the bears, who would let him to
approach them, and sometimes even touch them. During his time Treadwell
also happened to shoot over 100 hours of video footage - most of which
taken from the last five years of his life.
Treadwell was repeatedly warned by park officials
that his interaction with the bears was unsafe for both him and the
bears. He filmed his exploits (often alone), and used the films in an
effort to raise public awareness of the problems faced by bears in
North America. In 2003, at the end of his thirteenth visit, he and his
girlfriend, Amie Huguenard, were attacked, killed and eaten by a bear.
All that remained was his arm, with his Casio watch still attached -
and still ticking.
In this strange time of people meeting their
ultimate demise in their natural habitat - the "They died doing what
they loved" category includes Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin and most recently racing legend Peter Brock - it only seems appropriate to take a look at this film. Except, after watching Grizzly Man,
it soon becomes apparent that unlike Irwin who was mad - but utterly
brilliant in his skills, Treadwell wasn't particularly skilled at
anything and seems to be just plain nuts.
I've been criticized in the past for certain, let's say for arguments sake - defamatory statements (most recently for the Anatomy For Beginners
review). So, please take this criticism of Treadwell with a grain of
salt, and after viewing the film - a little bit of knowledge. But at
the end of the day, the guy has problems. And no, not just because he
spent a great deal of his life in isolation with his only 'friends' the
bears - but due to what can only be described as delusions of grandeur.
Sadly this 'almost autobiography' of Treadwell -
while brilliant in showing his darker sides (his rant on his own
sexuality, something clearly questionable throughout the film, is
especially sad) suffers for the pure fact that Treadwell (for all his
good work and legacy) is quite possibly the most annoying person put on
this planet. How can you feel remorse or sadness for someone who is
Andy Dick and Carson from Queer Eye all rolled into one?
Filmmaker Werner Herzog paints a compelling
portrait of one man's manic and narrcasistic world and the ironic
relationship he has with the bears he swears to protect. Herzog, at
times, is barely needed as Treadwell tends to tell his own story quite
sufficiently. The only time Herzog appears is during one of the films
most touching and graphic moments - as he listens to the audio
recording of Treadwell's death. The attack was deemed a surprise as
Treadwell only has time to press record and not even take off the
camera's lens. While the audience never hears or see's any of the
footage (In fact, Herzog advises the owner of the tape, a friend of
Treadwell who held onto the tape but refused to ever listen to it, to
destroy it immediately) - our imagination does it for us, making this
scene utterly heartbreaking.
It's a sad story of a deeply troubled soul - which
is at times frustratingly annoying. It's not a story about bears, it's
not even about conservation - it's about Treadwell's struggle to find
meaning in his own life.
"I will protect these bears with my last breath,"
Treadwell says - not realising that soon after his death, the bear that
is guilty is shot dead. So one has to ask - was it really worth it?
EXTRAS
These Directors Suite DVD editions just keep getting better and better.
Here there are several other documentaries related to the film
including "In The Edges: The Grizzly Man Sessions" which follows the
creation of the music of the film, a story which ultimately turns out
to be just as dramatic as the film itself.
Also included is "Open Season" a film by Velcrow
Ripper and Heather Frise which takes a fascinating look into the world
of Treadwell and his work.
Overall, a great package for documentary lovers - despite the annoying voice of Treadwell himself.
Conclusion:
Movie 70% Extras: 70%
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