I saw this Discovery Special without realizing that Tim Treadwell was THE INFAMOUS GRIZZLY MAN. Then a bell in my head went off and I paused the DVD about halfway through . Sure enough, It was the same man who died by being mauled by a bear from Werner Herzogs 'Grizzly Man'. It hit me when Mr. Treadwell, ironically enough, brought up the fact that a photographer in Russia was killed by a grizzly. I enjoyed the footage and , perhaps selfishly, enjoyed this film even more , when I realized how brave Tim Treadwell truly was, ultimately leading to his death.The footage was great and this truly was an educational experience. One thing that bothered me was a scene where Mr. Treadwell, explained that a particular bear cub was destined for death. I felt that perhaps, knowing this, the 'crew' could become involved to save this poor defenseless creature struggling on its own . Another piece of irony is one scene where Mr. Treadwell is sitting on the rocks , bragging about a man of his caliber can get away with not being attacked, being close to the bears and that regular folk should not do that. Very eerie indeed. Great interaction film with Alaskan Grizzlies and educational as well. We owe debts of thanks to people like Mr. Treadwell, that truly do risk their lives to bring us these wonderful natural moments .
6 Reviews
very enjoyable
pogmothoinimirish3 January 2016
Timothy was eccentric, however putting that aside he captured some of the most amazing footage on these majestic animals along with a time line of their survival. He took risk just as any other wildlife and nature photographer has. The only difference was he did it alone. He didn't have a camera crew or anyone to protect him against the animals. With that said his girlfriend knew those risks as well and was a willing participant in his work. Wildlife is unpredictable as is Nature. What Timothy did was just as risky as all the people who died trying to reach top of Everest. They wanted to connect with nature in a way that could take their life and it did. Timothy's documentaries were amazing in it's art form. They were raw and untainted. They were educational, inspirational, and ended up tragic in the worst way. I have watched these over and over enjoying them each time just as I would as if it was a National Geographic documentary.
Dishonest but essential
amosduncan_20009 November 2011
I am as torn on this series as about anything I could ever write. It must be some of the most beautiful nature photography ever taken. Tredwell's love of the animals is not in question, even when overshadowed by his massive ego and self obsession.
At some point into one of the episodes, Tredwell says "we could go a little wider here." Obviously giving camera instructions to his girl friend Ami. The film then lies as says She joined him later. Tredwell, as it has been well documented, dragged his girlfriend into his death wish and got her killed. He was guilty of manslaughter, maybe murder.
There is a lot of other things to dislike about Tredwell. Some, though not all of this, is in the great movie "Grizzly Man." To con people into paying for his trips, he lied about poaching in Alaska and claimed he was "protecting" already protected lands. His goofy, baby talk fashion of talking to the animals won't be to everyone's taste.
But again, you can't argue with what he brought back; and in the long run the work of this pixie egomaniac may indeed serve the Wildlife.
At some point into one of the episodes, Tredwell says "we could go a little wider here." Obviously giving camera instructions to his girl friend Ami. The film then lies as says She joined him later. Tredwell, as it has been well documented, dragged his girlfriend into his death wish and got her killed. He was guilty of manslaughter, maybe murder.
There is a lot of other things to dislike about Tredwell. Some, though not all of this, is in the great movie "Grizzly Man." To con people into paying for his trips, he lied about poaching in Alaska and claimed he was "protecting" already protected lands. His goofy, baby talk fashion of talking to the animals won't be to everyone's taste.
But again, you can't argue with what he brought back; and in the long run the work of this pixie egomaniac may indeed serve the Wildlife.
Celebrates a person with no grounding in reality
LoupGarouTFTs29 August 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Timothy Treadwell had a fantasy about what nature was all about. He romanticized nature and came up with creative explanations for the bears' behavior. He made no studies, kept no notes, and attempted to interact with them like he would the family dog. When he saw Melissa and the other cubs eating the cub Rainbow, he romanticized the act with the explanation that Rainbow loved her mother and now sustained her mother as food. When the two cubs Emmy and Letterman *who he called "the tykes") appeared to be abandoned by their mother, he convinced himself that he taught them to fish. Treadwell was a sad and deluded man and his name should be allowed to mercifully slip into obscurity instead of being perpetuated. Not only did he do potentially do harm to the bears by letting them become acclimated to him, he also caused the death of himself and his girlfriend by becoming too familiar and careless with the bears and forgetting that he was in no way in control of these massive and ferocious wild animals.
The photography, however, was lovely. It would have been much nicer if it had been shot by a professional cinematographer on assignment with a legitimate study expedition, though, and Treadwell had not been speaking in his little girlie-girl voice throughout most of the footage. Too bad there's no zero score--this travesty deserves it.
The photography, however, was lovely. It would have been much nicer if it had been shot by a professional cinematographer on assignment with a legitimate study expedition, though, and Treadwell had not been speaking in his little girlie-girl voice throughout most of the footage. Too bad there's no zero score--this travesty deserves it.
Awesome Photos, but wildlife is to be respected
bdevine-utz16 September 2008
The photos and videos Treadwell took were awesome. However, I agree that him getting that close to these bears acclimates them to human beings, and therefore can cause these bears to get into trouble possibly causing them to be destroyed in cases where someone gets mauled or if they are viewed as a nuisance bear. Same with the foxes. These animals need to be afraid of humans, humans are harmful to wildlife, not all humans care, in fact, most don't care. A fox or bear, or any other animal, that is unafraid of humans could get too close and humans with their stupidity could poison them as pests, or just kill them for the hell of it. Bears who get too close to humans end up getting into trash, break into buildings/barns in their search for food, can become nuisance bears, and pay for some human's stupidity with their life.
These animals are to be respected and admired for sure, but we must keep our boundaries, for their sake and survival. I think Treadwell really loved these animals, for sure. But wild animals are unpredictable and he got too close and it was inevitable that he would eventually get hurt. When watching the Grizzly Man Diaries, he seems to think and behave the way a child would view these animals, he is not realistic at all. I am a total nature lover, but when you get this close to these animals, and they lose their fear of humans, you are not doing them any good. Wild animals do not distinguish between Treadwell and some hunter or camper. A man is a man. Bears pay for this with their lives when they get too close to humans, and Treadwell is conditioning these bears and the fox family to not fear humans and setting them up for disaster. He reminds me of the way I thought of animals when I was a child. I too fantasized about being Dr. Dolittle talking to the animals and being their guardian. I think we could be a better guardian by letting them alone, admiring them from afar, and by giving them plenty of habitat in which to live.
These animals are to be respected and admired for sure, but we must keep our boundaries, for their sake and survival. I think Treadwell really loved these animals, for sure. But wild animals are unpredictable and he got too close and it was inevitable that he would eventually get hurt. When watching the Grizzly Man Diaries, he seems to think and behave the way a child would view these animals, he is not realistic at all. I am a total nature lover, but when you get this close to these animals, and they lose their fear of humans, you are not doing them any good. Wild animals do not distinguish between Treadwell and some hunter or camper. A man is a man. Bears pay for this with their lives when they get too close to humans, and Treadwell is conditioning these bears and the fox family to not fear humans and setting them up for disaster. He reminds me of the way I thought of animals when I was a child. I too fantasized about being Dr. Dolittle talking to the animals and being their guardian. I think we could be a better guardian by letting them alone, admiring them from afar, and by giving them plenty of habitat in which to live.
Treadwell
mybearfeet2 September 2008
Warning: Spoilers
So I am assuming you are either a "bear expert" or a "Treadwell expert". Which is it. I have a ton of questions I need you to answer? What harm has he done to all the bears? The photographs were lovely but should have been shot by a professional? If they were lovely then why would this matter? What makes a study expedition legitimate in your opinion? He caused the death of his girlfriend? Really? How so? I don't recall him saying he taught those cubs how to fish. Creative explanations? Maybe a few. Sub adults in non hunting areas? Seems about right. Just curious as to where your venom is draining from. If you are an expert, I'd like to know more. Interesting.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
