Les Jones: Treadwell Documentary "Grizzly Man" Opens Today

August 12, 2005

Timothy Treadwell > Treadwell Documentary "Grizzly Man" Opens Today

I noticed that these two old posts on Timothy Treadwell were suddenly getting comments again. It turns out that Grizzly Man, Werner Herzog's documentary about Timothy Treadwell, opened today. Treadwell was the person who Bambi-fied grizzly bears in his personal life and works. He and his girlfriend were killed and eaten by grizzly bears two years ago in Alaska, forcing the park service to kill the bears involved.

National Geographic has a clear-eyed look at Treadwell and the dangers of his soft-headed, grandstanding approach to wild animals, both for humans and for the wild animals.

The movie is largely based on Treadwell's own videotapes. Treadwell's video camera was on when Treadwell was attacked by the bear. The lens cap wasn't removed, however, so only audio of the attack is available. According to this review the documentary shows director Werner Herzog listening to the audiotape. Herzog then asks the tape's guardian to destroy it. The audience never hears the tape, which reportedly records Treadwell screaming and begging his girlfriend to hit the bear with a pan.

See also:
- Bear and Big Cat Attacks
- Timothy Treadwell was Technical Advisor on Disney's Brother Bear (includes comments from people who saw Grizzly Man at film festivals)

Posted by lesjones

Comments

I wonder if poor little Tim tasted like chicken?

Posted by: Justin at August 14, 2005

So many of those "bunny-huggers" just don't get it. To a bear, particularly a brownie, humans are just part of the food chain. Bears are incredibly powerful, fast, and quiet.

I've only tangled with a bear once. I got lucky. I was also heavily armed.

The area where those two were killed does not allow you to carry firearms for your own protection from the bears, not that they would have, of course......

Posted by: Mr. Completely at August 14, 2005

Thanks for creating some press for a fantastically wonderful film on a fantastically wonderful Treadwell. As is often the case, in your complete ignorance you've actually still managed to do some good! Timothy Treadwell rocks, and sadly you totally suck.

Yours truly,
"a bunny hugger who just doesn't get it."

Posted by: Joe at February 05, 2006

Timothy Treadwell tried to con us into believing he was always alone in the wilderness. Didn't that tip off his friends and especially his female companions that he wasn't trustworthy? What kind of man would place his girlfriend between himself and a grizzly....and then make her duck to get out of the frame??? Grizzly MAn blew his cover. I feel badly for Amie. She seemed to be realizing that he was full of...well...a lot of things, but mostly himself. Sadly, she realized this too late.
I don't mean to disparage him completely, nor do I mean disrespect. BUt let's not cannonize the guy...and if Leonardo DiCapria tries to do so in his film....he wont be fooling most of us.

Posted by: Tray at February 08, 2006