I understand what your saying. I just dont think its the same thing. I believe that he thought he had control, but never really did. The bears just obliged him and allowed him to live among them. Of course, thats my opinion.

There is never complete control over these types of wild animals. In the end, they always will do what comes naturally to them. And, of course at that end, they showed who was actually in control.

In my opinion, leaving these creatures alone and letting them live without man's influence is protecting them. Not living among them and drawing attention to them like he did.

no, they didn't. he wasn't killed by one of the bears that were familiar with him. he had returned to the area with his girlfriend, after his summer expedition had ended, and after mr. chocolate and the others had gone into hibernation. treadwell was killed by an old, starving bear that was new to the area.

Actually, you are not fully correct and your misinforming people. No one actually knows for sure which bear killed him and his girlfriend or where that bear was from. I read about this in the news.

When the rangers came upon the campsite, they had to kill 2 aggressive bears. One large, older bear (which they believe was from the area) and the other was a younger more aggressive bear (which they arent sure if it was from the area or not).

When they returned 2 days later to examine the stomach contents, the larger bear had their remains in it.

But, it could have been that the younger bear killed them and the larger older bear ate them. We will never know.

But, at the very least, the older bear (which supposedly he knew) ate him.

Like I said before, in the end, the BEARS showed who was in control.

Any guy who informs the public that bears are "harmless, party animals" is irresponsible and seemingly a fool.

i've read the account you described in the stories that hit papers when this occured. but in the documentary, the most likely "suspect" is as i described. this was a large yet underweight old bear that had wandered into the grizzly maze from the interior.

Well, I will resign to my previous post. Though, I would like to know what proof the documentary is claiming to know whether or not the bear was from the area. I guess ill know when I see the film.

From various articles that ive read (today included), the rangers say that they are not for sure which bear actually did the killing and will never know. THEY had to kill 2 aggressive bears when coming up on the campsite, but only could verify that 1 actually ate Treadwell and his gf.

It doesnt really matter though, in the end, he was killed by bears AND helped cause the death of 2 of them.

He thought he was protecting them, but IMO was causing more harm than good.

This all reminds me of that Jurassic Park line about control being an illusion.

well, i look forward to continuing this discussion once you've had the opportunity to see it. i think you'll find that Treadwell was very aware of the danger around him, was able to thwart many potentially hazardous interactions with bears, but ultimately let his narcissism, obsessive nature and rejection from society fuel his suicidal tendencies -- likened to when a person gets mad or depressed and drives their car too fast. they don't intend to kill themselves, but they push the envelope.

Well, if Treadwell is quoted as calling bears, "harmless party animals", that's definitely out of line. We're never shown that kind of carelessness in the movie and I realize that we only see 90 minutes, so there's a bunch of footage I haven't seen.

The unfortunate thing about his situation is that he tried to do well. I don't know how many people he brought into the area with him. Hunters and fisherman and photographers came to the area quite a bit, he wanted to keep them away. There's footage in the film of some of those photographers throwing rocks at a bear. My initial thought was, "that bear is probably so comfortable with Treadwell, that it thinks all people will be that friendly." And that is an unfortunate side affect of what he was trying to do.

He never would have wanted bears killed after eating him. But, yes, he was indirectly responsible for that.

How do you feel about Dianne Fossey's work with the mountain gorillas? Were her actions any more respectable than Treadwells?

I finally saw this last night, and agree with much of the posts that I have read already. Here's a guy who had A LOT of issues, felt rejected from society, hints of a personality disorder, and maybe even some sexual identity issues. While his heart may have been in the right place, unfortunately his head was not quite there. The biggest kicker for me, he was on a wildlife preserve, the bears were already protected?!?! So was this really their struggle or his struggle? Sure he did seem to have an uncanny knack for interacting with the bears, (so do I ) and the foxes, but his diologues to the camera definitely showed a different struggle, an internal one. Sure he did a lot of good work, especially visiting schools for free, and the foundation he started, but unfortunately IMO his loosened grip on reality is what brought his demise in the end.

The movie itself, while interesting to watch, and seemingly well put together, isn't the sort of movie I'd really want to watch again and again. Although he did have a few good one liners I wish I could remember.

Yes, he said that on David Letterman a few years ago.

Yeah, I read an article one time that said if he really wanted to do good, he would have gone to the mountains in Russia to protect them where there is real hunters killing bears instead of a wildlife preserve.

I have no doubt that he loved these bears and was trying to do good. I just think that he went about it the wrong way.

I found the film to be a fascinating study of a fractured mind meets a Christopher Guest comedy.

Herzog goes way overboard trying to underline the "beauty" of Treadwell's footage (it's there without his help). And the interviews are far too staged to find emotional weight. If that was Herzog's intention, that really undermines the entire film.

Saw it. Thought it was a very well made and put together film. Granted, some of the interviews were obviously staged and had some fake emotion, but I am a sucker for tales about bears and people. I can see how anyone looking for a nature documentary would be disappointed by this, as it is more of an examination of a man's personal demons getting the best of him than anything else. But Herzog did have a point about how some material can never be captured or staged and it just happens.
In terms of which bear actually killed him, that shall remain a mystery. But given the circumstances and evidence, everything seems to point to the one on film.
I give the movie an A- for now and will definitely get the DVD.

Granted, I haven't seen the film, but I intend to make the trip this week to see it. But the movie probably seems staged because Herzog likes throwing nonfactual stories and information into his 'documentaries'. He's practically disowned cinema verite because of most filmmakers' attempts at reaching some goal or conclusion, while he likes to bend the story (or just turn it into a different story altogether, to the point where he would call it a sci-fi film before documentary) to express a message or focus on one certain aspect of the main subject. So with these staged interviews, there's a good chance that most of what they're saying isn't true.

Dian Fossey was a scientist and researcher. Treadwell was a unemployed actor. Big difference in academic credentials.
re his sexuality issues, on a lighter note: did anyone else think he looked like Carson Kressley gone native? Sounded like him too....

Well, whether you believe in what Treadwell did or you don't, this movie was a fascinating look at a fascinating man in my opinion. Herzog never really excuses or justifies his actions, you're just provided an intimate look at Treadwell's life.

I thought he looked like a roughed up Owen Wilson, but that's me.

i'm about 20 mins in and my jaw is on the floor because of what this guy was doing.
he is near a bear eating in a river .
he calls this bear thr grinch because it seems to not like him too much.
the bears walks towards him and he starts chastising the bear.
"you better not, dont you do it", and such.
this bear walked right up to him and looked as if he was about to swat this guy right off the planet.

wow, mind boggling that he wasnt killed earlier then he was.

I finally saw this film a few days ago. This guy was certifiably insane. I don't understand how a human being can be so ignorant about the danger of a situation like he was. Darwin at work.

Viewing the DVD right now. This truly is a great movie and I hope it gets an Oscar nod for Best Documentary, though I am sure either Murderball or March of the Penguins will win it. One thing that is never made clear is why Treadwell was doing what he did; was he truly wanting to protect the bears, or was he trying to get some celebrity and glory that he failed to achieve as an actor.
When I watch this I sometimes forget that this is not staged and the bears are not trained ones. It is amazing Treadwell didn't get taken out earlier than he did, as he seemed to push them more than he should have when he was around them.

I got this dvd the other day and have yet to watch it. However, I was shocked when I read that this film did not make the final list of choices for an Oscar nomination. How could this happen? This documentary has gotten praise from almost everyone. In Roger Ebert's "movie answer man", he mentioned that "Hoop Dreams" and "Crumb" were also left off.

WHAT? I can't believe that. Easily the best doc I saw this past year. How odd.

I agree, the Academy has its head up its ass for not nominating this. I'd say this and "Murderball" were two of the best docs in a long time. Knowing the Oscars they'll give it to that penguin flick which I thought was merely OK, nowhere near as deep as Murderball and Grizzly Man.

This DVD is my little champion! I love you! Thank you for being my friend! Fuck the government for not protecting this DVD, mother fuckers mother fucking Jesus Hindus! I love you, yes I do. Yes you are my little champion! WE NEED SOME FUCKING RAIN!

Sorry. In all seriousness, this is a great movie. Just saw it for the first time 2 days ago. Very moving story. It was sad, but at least that Treadwell guy was hilarious.

I was shocked for a few seconds and then remembered that we're talking about the Oscars. It has very little to do with actual quality.

Let's put this in perspective - Werner Herzog has never received an Oscar nomination, nor ever has his cast and crew.
With his output of quality, that's truly amazing.

They don't like Herzog, Jim Carrey, or Gary Oldman for whatever reasons.

You forgot Spike Lee.