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IMDbPro

Wild by Law

  • 19911991
  • 52m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
26
YOUR RATING
Wild by Law (1991)
  • Documentary
This Oscar nominated short documentary presents the inspiring and real life story of the pioneers of environmental protection in America, their contributions to the cause of saving thousands... Read allThis Oscar nominated short documentary presents the inspiring and real life story of the pioneers of environmental protection in America, their contributions to the cause of saving thousands of acres of natural territories and wild life preservation, all which led to the Creation... Read allThis Oscar nominated short documentary presents the inspiring and real life story of the pioneers of environmental protection in America, their contributions to the cause of saving thousands of acres of natural territories and wild life preservation, all which led to the Creation of the Wilderness Act, law passed in 1964.
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
26
YOUR RATING
  • Directors
    • Diane Garey
    • Lawrence R. Hott
  • Writer
    • Ken Chowder
  • Stars
    • Linda Hunt
    • Ralph Waite(voice)
    • Richard B. Shull(voice)
Top credits
  • Directors
    • Diane Garey
    • Lawrence R. Hott
  • Writer
    • Ken Chowder
  • Stars
    • Linda Hunt
    • Ralph Waite(voice)
    • Richard B. Shull(voice)
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1User review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 1 nomination total

    Photos

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    Top cast

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    Linda Hunt
    Linda Hunt
    • Narrator
    Ralph Waite
    Ralph Waite
    • Aldo Leopold
    • (voice)
    Richard B. Shull
    Richard B. Shull
    • Howard Zahniser
    • (voice)
    Peter Haydu
    Peter Haydu
    • Bob Marshall
    • (voice)
    Nina Leopold Bradley
    • Self
    David Brower
    • Self
    J. Baird Callicot
    • Self
    William Cronon
    • Self
    Floyd Dominy
    • Self
    Stephen R. Fox
    • Self
    Aldo Leopold
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Estella Leopold
    • Self
    Luna Leopold
    • Self
    Bob Marshall
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Roderick Nash
    • Self
    Max Oelschlaeger
    • Self
    Franklin D. Roosevelt
    Franklin D. Roosevelt
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Wallace Stegner
    • Self
    • Directors
      • Diane Garey
      • Lawrence R. Hott
    • Writer
      • Ken Chowder
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    User reviews1

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Saving what's left of the wilderness
    A gripping real story that I didn't know much about, very interesting to watch and learn about an almost forgotten chapter of America's preservation history. "Wild by Law" presents part of the life and trajectory of the three pioneers who fought for the safety and preservation of U.S. natural territories when the American Way of Life of the 1950's and its progress were a menace to the life and the vast nature of the country, and eventually a menace to the future civilization. They were Aldo Leopold, Bob Marshall and Howard Zahniser, philosophers, environmentalists and forest rangers committed in saving the wilderness, involving themselves in projects that stopped the construction of river dams and even new cities that could destroy all what's useful and vital for a balanced life. Their acts would result in the creation of the Wilderness Act, in 1964, law passed by Johnson.

    What impressed me the most was a story involving Leopold, who used to hunt wolves when he started off as a ranger, but he completely he realized how wrong he was in doing that because all the animals eaten by the wolves were at a large quantity compared to the wolves, diminishing at each new hunt. That's when it hits him that he was contributing for unbalance in the ecosystem. Friends with Leopold, Marshall was a more interesting character. He build a self reservation where he lived with his family and he actually tried to make something practically unheard of: to restore nature. Almost as if turning back time, going in the opposite direction of the capitalist and destructive progress, trying to expand nature. An utopic project but quite fascinating. Zahniser didn't know personally the two other men, but he was the one who wrote and pushed forward the legal definition of wilderness that would result in the Wilderness Act, but using of Leopold and Marshall experiences. And it is thanks to this trio that America has 9.1 million of acres of protected areas, law signed 50 years ago.

    What I've seen in "Wild by Law" gives a solid basis for an award winning fictional movie with powerful characters and great messages. The documentary directed by Lawrence Lott and Diane Garey is relatively short and simple, supported by great interviews (except for the pitiful old man who was very negative towards the law, but very favorite to the construction of more river dams), nice archive images and injecting part of the nature writings of Zahniser, Marshall and Leopold. The only minor downer is some excessive patriotic bits, overused and almost nauseating. Highly commendable film, and truly inspiring. 8/10
    helpful•0
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    • Rodrigo_Amaro
    • Mar 20, 2014

    Details

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    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Canada
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • USA
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      52 minutes

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