Rent Grizzly Man (2005)

What is it about bears? - Grizzly Man review by CP Customer

I really ask why some men believe they can co-exist with grizzly bears or confront them and come off equal. Timothy certainly had a passion about the species and used that to his benefit. Herzog as a director investigating Timothy tries to be impartial but clearly raises some questions that need addressed. Timothy's love for the animals is never in doubt but his failings as a member in our society is debated. Using Timothy's own footage gives a personal and intimate insight into the man, almost as if he was working alongside the director. The final dramatic closing moments are handled with care and I'm glad that this was left off camera. Overall Grizzly Man is an insight, albeit a tragic one, into Timothy rather than the bears he protected.

A very odd tale - Grizzly Man review by DW

I am forever intrigued by Herzog and the stories he chooses to tell, whether in documentary form or as a feature film. Ever since Aguire, Wrath of God, in the far distant past, through other collaborations with Klaus Kinski, and onto these more recent documentaries, he pursues his own distinct curiosity as to what motivates the individual to venture into worlds apart from the normal human experience.

Timothy Treadwell's quest brings to mind the heroic, but quite mad, Fitzcaraldo, intent on building an opera house in the jungle. Whilst Treadwell didn't actually need to haul a ship over the mountains, his determination to live with the grizzlies in Alaska, alone apart from his camera, filming himself alongside the bears, forever proclaiming how only he understood them and was fit to protect them, yet all the while telling us how dangerous were these animals and how he was risking his life in the pursuit of their protection. These films, shown back in the US when Alaska was in the grip of winter, gave him both celebrity and notoriety. Either way, he didn't seem to care. What he went to great pains to hide, though, was the fact that he was rarely alone but almost always had a girlfriend along. Obviously the bears could not provide all the companionship he needed. That what he predicted, that the bears would eventually kill him, came true. That his girlfriend died too was, of course, the bigger tragedy. I feel that the film could have stood more vigorous editing but all the same, Herzog makes a good job of combining Treadwell's film archive with his own to good effect.

Grizzly Man ReView - Grizzly Man review by CP Customer

I Watched 'Grizzly Man' Two Days ago (16/02/07). I was surprised at my like, dislike, anger, respect, fondness and pity for the late Timothy Treadwell. A very odd man, who's beliefs represent a lot of my own, yet, his way of going about things was very curious and boardering on quite worrying in parts! Gorgeous scenes of the bears and foxes, nature and the elements are perhaps the only thing this documentary stands out for. Surprisingly enough, the lovely scenes overshadow the 'star' Timothy Treadwell. A morbid part of me was very disappointed at the fact that the audio recording of the fatal bear attack, was not played to us, the audience. Also, the hints were there that, perhaps, the autopsy/attack photos would be shown, but it is all left to the viewers imagination. Being rated a 15 certificate, I was expecting to be blown away by the severity of the attack etc. Maybe, that is very wrong, but shock tactics are something a lot of documentary makers use, so viewers are very used to graphic images now days. I just felt a little patronised at the 'hiding' and 'secretiveness' of the attack audio recording/photos. Also, it was VERY hard to distinguish the fact and fiction from each other! The friends/Family interviewed seemed, to me, like actors! Their movements, reactions and demeanours were those of second rate Actors at that. Very odd. Overall, a half decent documentary, masquerading as a gory tale of high drama and suspense. I was neither suspended or riveted. The animals are the stars and Treadwell has succeeded in capturing some amazing beautiful shots, showing nature and its connections and boundaries to humans.