Grizzly Man is a documentary character study of a guy named Tim Treadwell who decided that he would attempt to feel an affinity with nature and bond with the wild grizzly bears of Alaska.  For over thirteen consecutive summers he spent time as a self-professed protector of nature, fighting against the human world, which he saw as evil, and doing his best to save the precious beasties from human intevention.  This was despite the fact that the bears lived on protected land.

Herzog’s narrative comprises footage filmed by Treadwell himself as well as interviews with those that knew him before his death. Finding Treadwell’s specious ideas of unity and peace in direct contrast to his own views regarding a universe controlled by chaos, Herzog gives interesting insights into the mind of a tragically disturbed man who is making a last desparate attempt at living in the eden of carefree childhood innocence.  Grizzly Man is a film of potent power, poignant themes and intriguing truths.

For any of us who have ever been concerned with the trappings of our own self-made delusions, Treadwell’s story is a message about how we can learn to keep our demons at a safe distance, but if we attempt to live with them forever they will eventually destroy us completely.

An absolute must-see.

Trailer below:

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