January 4, 2006
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WEDNESDAY MOVIEGrizzly Man
Just released in August 2005 and now out on DVD, this is a true life-and-death story about Timothy Treadwell’s obsession with Alaskan bears. Most of the film is shot by Treadwell himself of the bears and other wildlife in the remote areas where he summered for 13 years. He was killed, along with his his girlfriend, Amie Huguenard, by a rogue bear in October 2003. The director and narrator is Werner Herzog, whose soft German accent describes how Treadwell’s life led him to this final event. As a filmmaker himself, he makes fascinating comments about the quality of Treadwell’s footage. He interviews Treadwell’s parents, former girlfriends, and some of the men who flew him into the wild and in the end picked up his remains and flew them out again. What struck me as I watched Treadwell was his joyfulness as
he watched and approached the huge bears and made friends of a pack of little foxes who lived in his camp. Repeatedly, he talked about protecting them and that he would die for them. He seemed to understand how dangerous they were but clearly took unnecessary risks around them. In the end, heading home for the year he made one last stop too late in the season and was killed by a bear he was not familiar with that was old and too hungry. He had many critics who said he tried to humanize the bears and didn’t respect that they were wild creatures, also that he endangered them by letting them become familiar with humans. He felt differently and was willing to die for it. To me he seemed like a particularly exotic example of our human species – incandescent and surreal.
Deep Thought: “Don’t ever get your speedometer confused with your clock, like I did once, because the faster you go the later you think you are.”
Today I am grateful for: The inevitability of change
Guess the Movie: “Wait a minute. You aren’t seriously suggesting that if I get through the wire… and case everything out there… and don’t get picked up… to turn myself in and get thrown back in the cooler for a couple of months so you can get the information you need?” Answer: The Great Escape, 1963.
Winner: Eliminate_the_Impossible.
WASHINGTON LOBBYING SCANDAL
Abramoff cops plea, faces prison
Length of sentence is likely to depend on his cooperation
Walter F. Roche Jr., Richard B. Schmitt, Los Angeles Times (Rest of article here.)
Comments (15)
I heard about that movie on NPR…surreal for sure.
Would that quote be from The Great Escape, spoken by the great Steve McQueen himself?
Have you watched March of the Penguins?
Yup Steverino said it and you’re right - The Great Escape!
p.s. I figured out how to take video from my dig cam and put it on my page, go see my cats.
http://www.youtube.com/
It is a terrible loss of two precious young lives. I do not know if saying that he died doing what he loved is enough to comfort anyone.
I believe we all take risks in life…some bigger than others…these two seem to have taken the ultimate risk and came out of it with something to share with the world even now that they are gone…
What a tragedy. Like you said, unnecessary risks are lessons harder for some than others. Happy New Year!
does look interesting…
OHH! i saw a documentary on that guy somewhere a while ago. it mentioned this movie.
I WANT TO SEE IT!
it will go on my list
I’ve heard about this movie before, and always wanted to see it. I’m glad now I know where I can find it.
I don’t think I’ve seen an animal movie yet that I didn’t absolutely love. Just something about our four-legged friends. It’s their capacity for unconditional love, I think.
How interesting to see the look on the face of that fox.
Andrea, You are right that prosperity and abundance are a matter of perspective. Only 40% of the US can now own a house. Hot water is a big thing for a morning shower, a washer and dryer, clean drinking water, a warm house. I have hot tub. I have yard to play in. I am rich. Judi