Grizzly Man
Lions Gate Films | Release Date: August 12, 2005
7.2
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 152 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
111
Mixed:
18
Negative:
23
Watch Now
Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand
Review this movie
VOTE NOW
 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Check box if your review contains spoilers 0 characters (5000 max)

User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
7
pgmarkDec 16, 2010
Almost a guaranteed hit story here to start with lol.... Guy goes out to remote bear infested place, stays there for months for 3yrs, gets 15mins of fame, then gets eaten by bear .... along with being slightly nuts and a borderline socialAlmost a guaranteed hit story here to start with lol.... Guy goes out to remote bear infested place, stays there for months for 3yrs, gets 15mins of fame, then gets eaten by bear .... along with being slightly nuts and a borderline social outcast ?? Come on how can you lose. Well.... Herzog's commentary was hit and miss and some holes for sure

but I was entertained solid 7

PS - background music was interesting also… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
All this user's reviews
10
SamJ.Aug 28, 2005
Superb in every way!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
MaryM.Feb 3, 2006
I had to see it twice with a shot of the documentary about Herzog making Fitzcarraldo inbetween. Timmy's madness mirror's Herzog's in the undivided dedication to the personal vision no matter what the price.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
CarlaM.Oct 3, 2005
Werner Herzog's documentaries stretch the boundaries of what constitutes "documentary" filmmaking. Somebody approaching this Herzog documentary as if it's a National Geographic documentary is just not going to "get" it. You need to Werner Herzog's documentaries stretch the boundaries of what constitutes "documentary" filmmaking. Somebody approaching this Herzog documentary as if it's a National Geographic documentary is just not going to "get" it. You need to take an open mind with you when you go to see a film by this filmmaker. Woe to the viewer who doesn't. And if there are still some people out there who think that there is such a thing as an "objective" documentary, wake up! The very nature of film precludes this possibility--the filmmaker has to make choices. His/her P.O.V. is inextricably entwined in those choices. That said, what Herzog's film did was really just confirm my pre-existing impression that Timothy Treadwell was quite thoroughly demented. Treadwell is, in my opinion, a true "tragic hero". His fatal flaw (hubris) brought about his downfall (not to mention his girlfriend's and that bear's, to boot). It seems to me that Treadwell was so disenchanted with what life was dishing out to him (as if he didn't have a part in that) that he wanted to abandon his own humanity and "become" a bear. Life was much "simpler" with the bears, as he pointed out. In my opinion, what this man needed wasn't to run off to Alaska to "protect" these animals but, rather, some serious psychotherapy. Treadwell's own film footage is both wonderous and self-defeating. I mean, he got some remarkable footage of life with the bears and foxes in Katmai Nat'l Park, but he also showed us how egomaniacal he really was. And Herzog's interviews with Treadwell's friends gave me the impression that they were as phony and self-absorbed as Treadwell was, himself. I think this is a fine film from one of the most interesting filmmakers working today.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
richardb.Aug 29, 2005
I just got home from Grizzly Man, and was mindblown. I have so many questions about every aspect of this movie, and yet I'm so happy to have seen it. How did Herzog get the footage, and were parts of Timmy's story skipped over as a I just got home from Grizzly Man, and was mindblown. I have so many questions about every aspect of this movie, and yet I'm so happy to have seen it. How did Herzog get the footage, and were parts of Timmy's story skipped over as a condition of use? How'd he end up in Alaska, how'd he finance his adventures, did he really audition for Cheers? And most of all, how (and when) did he come up with his screamingly fey persona? Wild Kingdom meets the Blair Witch, hosted by Crispin Glover.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
SimonS.Jan 6, 2006
This is the only film I have ever watched where I was so horrified, I had to turn it off for a while. Lest we forget that the natural world is out to do us harm, we have the enduring images presented us by Herzog; accounts of decapitation, a This is the only film I have ever watched where I was so horrified, I had to turn it off for a while. Lest we forget that the natural world is out to do us harm, we have the enduring images presented us by Herzog; accounts of decapitation, a bear chewing on a human rib cage and four refuse bags of human being removed from the eviscerated bear. Herzog's mastery of cinema is clear, but such a story tends to tell itself. How Timothy Treadwell managed to survive so long is a wonder in itself.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
BitBurnJan 8, 2006
Here's a story of a guy with some mental issues and his incapacity to face them so he runs away to Alaska a couple months every year to live with grizzlies! It
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
KenK.Feb 17, 2006
I thought Grizzly Man was a brilliantly skillful piece of filmaking which evoked a huge range of emotional responses. However, it does not surprise me that some people found the whole enterprise ridiculous, as I left the cinema I overheard I thought Grizzly Man was a brilliantly skillful piece of filmaking which evoked a huge range of emotional responses. However, it does not surprise me that some people found the whole enterprise ridiculous, as I left the cinema I overheard one woman simply state that Thredwell was an 'idiot'. And this is the beauty of the film, he was irresponsible, he was childlike, he was a fantasist, but he was also noble, brave and totally unselfish. Herzog provides no pat answers, this is not a Disney film, what you get is a complex, haunting, hilarious (the scene with the Bumble Bee) and absolutely beautiful film drenched in the pathos of one man's mortality.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
JoeF.Mar 3, 2006
Anyone who rated this movie less than 8 does not deserve life! Treadwell was an amazing man, and this movie is just as amazing.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
BrendenB.Jul 20, 2006
Worth watching for the wildlife scenes alone. Too much footage of his ex.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
andrewjDec 31, 2005
With the non-critics (i.e. impatient phillistines) this is a polarizing film -- it seems like some viewers decided halfway through that they were either too annoyed or disgusted with treadwell to give this film a chance and discover all the With the non-critics (i.e. impatient phillistines) this is a polarizing film -- it seems like some viewers decided halfway through that they were either too annoyed or disgusted with treadwell to give this film a chance and discover all the beauty it has to offer. it's their loss -- content and visuals like these are pretty much why camcorders were invented. sure, treadwell is annoying, delusional, ridiculously flamboyant, and desperate to make his life important. while he obviously has way more critics than sympathizers, this story becomes universal with the exploartion of one man's pursuit of a legacy. we all want to be remembered for something after we're gone; this emotional man-child thought he had finally found meaning and a goal for his life. herzog did a wonderful job editting the footage and editorializes only at a few key moments when he must draw a line between reality and treadwell's sentimentality. gorgeous ending, awesome film.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
AlexP.Oct 8, 2005
Ranks with Tarnation and Crumb as fascinating-terrifying profiles of psychosis. David Byrne has some interesting stuff to say about this movie on his blog.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
JamesW.Aug 28, 2005
The film left me emotionally off-balance. This response (I believe), is due to the schizophrenic nature of Treadwell's footage. The raw material has a majestic beauty leavened by the natural danger which stands at odds with The film left me emotionally off-balance. This response (I believe), is due to the schizophrenic nature of Treadwell's footage. The raw material has a majestic beauty leavened by the natural danger which stands at odds with Treadwell's mercurial behavior. Herzog's narration is at times, vital to telling the tale, while his opinions give the viewer a point of view to consider while reaching their own conclusions. The overlay of human fraility on a view of the natural world rarely seen in such intimate detail, makes for provocative viewing.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
M.KeoJan 10, 2006
One of the funniest movies ive seen in a while--i could not stop laughing through many parts---for those who didn't get it, watch it one more time--pay attention to the shots,dialogue and characters--- so brilliant that i almost thought One of the funniest movies ive seen in a while--i could not stop laughing through many parts---for those who didn't get it, watch it one more time--pay attention to the shots,dialogue and characters--- so brilliant that i almost thought it was real--in fact my girlfriend swears it was real to this day---a funny and tragic joke.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
GrantN.Jan 17, 2006
Excellent movie about the character studies of both a man bordering insanity and a group of Alaskain bears. Thrilling, insightful, romantic, sad, and funny at times. The doctor who talks about Treadwell's death is horrible though. It Excellent movie about the character studies of both a man bordering insanity and a group of Alaskain bears. Thrilling, insightful, romantic, sad, and funny at times. The doctor who talks about Treadwell's death is horrible though. It seems like he is just happy to be on screen and does not care for the man whose dead remains they are talking about.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
miker.Jan 3, 2006
Interesting story, and I really didn't mind that he was an annoying human being. I think it's all the acquaintances, friends and lovers speaking about him as if he was a person of great importance that was the most irritating Interesting story, and I really didn't mind that he was an annoying human being. I think it's all the acquaintances, friends and lovers speaking about him as if he was a person of great importance that was the most irritating aspect of the movie.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
D.GeorgesJan 5, 2006
Very good documentary, although Treadwell was a complete idiot. The photography, the editiing and damn it, how could no one no mention the awesome soundtrack by Richard Thompson. Anyway, I'm still a bit dissappointed there wasn't Very good documentary, although Treadwell was a complete idiot. The photography, the editiing and damn it, how could no one no mention the awesome soundtrack by Richard Thompson. Anyway, I'm still a bit dissappointed there wasn't any additional footage of the scene of the crime or a bear autopsy, or an audio snippet of the bear eating Treadwell.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
JonathanH.Feb 12, 2006
Those who have given this film low marks seem to have done so in disdain for the the protagonist Treadwell rather than the film itself. Following this logic any film about "bad" people (Downfall [Hitler's last days] for example) would Those who have given this film low marks seem to have done so in disdain for the the protagonist Treadwell rather than the film itself. Following this logic any film about "bad" people (Downfall [Hitler's last days] for example) would be ipso facto rubbish regardless of good screenwriting and directing. This is of course an utterly proposterous line of critique. This film deserves an eight because it examines the relationship between an extraordinary (misguided certainly) individual and his relationship to nature, to life and the universe at its most Hobbesian. The meeting of two distinct characters - the mixed up, paranoia and largely harmless Treadwell and the wry, philosophically erudite Herzog leads to a narrative that is both hilarious and tragic. I would recommend this movie to all those interested in a diet of the profound, the funny and the sad. It reminded me of just what an extraordinary condition being human is.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
MattB.Feb 25, 2006
Another in a long line of great Herzog films about madness, death, and man's place in a cold and chaotic world. Those children among you who are reviewing Treadwell himself and not the film...uh. Get a grip. You probably wouldn't Another in a long line of great Herzog films about madness, death, and man's place in a cold and chaotic world. Those children among you who are reviewing Treadwell himself and not the film...uh. Get a grip. You probably wouldn't like Aguirre, Wrath of God because Aguirre is "too weird."… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
NickS.Mar 17, 2006
Those who rate this film very low and simply dismiss Treadwell as a "fruitcake" are the true fruitcakes, systemic examples of the proud ignorance that not only ALLOWS the social world of man to remain the chaotic and indifferent power game Those who rate this film very low and simply dismiss Treadwell as a "fruitcake" are the true fruitcakes, systemic examples of the proud ignorance that not only ALLOWS the social world of man to remain the chaotic and indifferent power game it has evolved into but further REINFORCES these same harmful machinations that drove the weak-hearted Timothy Treadwell into his tragic existence alone in the wilderness. The natural world (and hence all the things existing within it) is an ethically crazy and mixed-up thing, and it saddens me to see people trashing the work of a man (Herzog) who is simply attempting to make honest sense of it all and share his findings with us along the way. The film is not "flawless" or "perfect," but on a sliding scale relative to the vast majority of things that daily barrage my periphery, it easily deserves the highest endorsement.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
TimD.Mar 24, 2006
This film contains come fascinating momnents. Timothy Treadwell is such a perverse and captivating character that he manages to steal the attention in a film that should be about some of the most stunning wildlife footage ever shot. This film contains come fascinating momnents. Timothy Treadwell is such a perverse and captivating character that he manages to steal the attention in a film that should be about some of the most stunning wildlife footage ever shot. Treadwell iks a character that no other country could have created. A man who goes from a Gulllivers' Travels themed restaurant to living with bears and foxes, via Cheers auditions. There is a chilike innocence to him that is both endearing yet demanding of sympathy. He is a true eccentric of film, and not in a 'look, i've put marshmallows in my ears, aren't i wacky?' sort of way. The film however lacks a bit of direction. Herzog's footage is spliced together in a somehwat discombobulating order that, while covering a lot of ground, gives us the impression that we aren't moving anywhere. His commentary can also be sometimes be condescending. Which is a shame, because Grizzly Man could have been one of the greatest documentaries put to film.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
SelinaAug 6, 2009
Undoubtly, this film was AMAZING. Grizzly Man shows the ideal footage of a man whose courage and determination got him his calling. He proved that bears are not killers, and brought some brilliant footage in the making. This truly is a Undoubtly, this film was AMAZING. Grizzly Man shows the ideal footage of a man whose courage and determination got him his calling. He proved that bears are not killers, and brought some brilliant footage in the making. This truly is a beautiful nature film, and I recommend it for any nature lover. Although, yes, Timothy was somewhat loony, but I respect his decision in life. I know that there's a one and a million chance that someone will survive thirteen years without weapons among one of the most dangerous animals on this planet. I enjoyed this film and admired Treadwell's skill, devotion, and humor. This film is truly a masterpiece. The stuff he captured is simply wonderful. HOWEVER, I do not respect Herzog. I think he twisted it around a bit. Some directors do that. He probably made Tim look more than he was. We don't care about his opinion- at least I don't. I wish that this movie was more about the nature and beauty Treadwell captured rather than the stupid opinions of Herzog.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
PeterT.Sep 17, 2005
The quixotic Treadwell stands for all who can only tolerate life if it is on the edge - and there's a bit of that in many of us, not least director Werner Herzog (think of the controversy over the production of Fitzcarraldo). Whether The quixotic Treadwell stands for all who can only tolerate life if it is on the edge - and there's a bit of that in many of us, not least director Werner Herzog (think of the controversy over the production of Fitzcarraldo). Whether Treadwell did bears more harm than good, he tried to live a life true to his heart, and things went wrong when idealism clashed with reality. A typical Herzog scenario. Herzog has never let me down, although he came a bit close with this one.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
GregH.Feb 17, 2006
Without wanting to be a snob, isn't it interesting that the people who gave this film a high score offer considered and erudite opinions of the movie and its makers/protagonist, while those who deride it are the type of people who Without wanting to be a snob, isn't it interesting that the people who gave this film a high score offer considered and erudite opinions of the movie and its makers/protagonist, while those who deride it are the type of people who confuse the word 'disillusioned' with 'deluded'.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
SeamusS.Feb 26, 2006
This is argubaly the greatest documentary i've ever seen. i'm basing this opinion on the fact that I've never once been moved/haunted/scared by a documentary ever. Poetic and Beautiful An incredible and manditory viewing experience
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
MichelGNov 26, 2007
This is a great film, it combine unintentional humor with deeply touching footage. Tims love for nature should be praised, along with this movie.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
MithyusApr 16, 2007
Looking through everything the movie is said to be, the polemics and the opinions, you will see one undeniable truth - Grizzly Man shows the history of a man whose love, ideal, and the perseverance in defending them gave him a meaning in Looking through everything the movie is said to be, the polemics and the opinions, you will see one undeniable truth - Grizzly Man shows the history of a man whose love, ideal, and the perseverance in defending them gave him a meaning in life. Timothy Treadwell shows us the most raw essence of the conscious human in search for happyness, disregarding the common limitations of human behaviour and going beyond. And even if Herzog sometimes blurs this focus, the inspirational story of this admirable man and his love for animals and nature are presented in a perfectly solid way. Truly, a masterpiece of real life.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
mikem.Dec 29, 2005
Rare that a documentary allows the viewer to focus on a person so intimately. we learn things about him that nomrally would only come through in a biopic, but he is SO interesting. and his story is SO compelling, and SO tragic that this is Rare that a documentary allows the viewer to focus on a person so intimately. we learn things about him that nomrally would only come through in a biopic, but he is SO interesting. and his story is SO compelling, and SO tragic that this is something so special, rare, and almost unthinkable that it will never happen again. this is one of the all-time great documentaries.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
MattBNov 21, 2006
Half way through this film I thought it was the funniest mockumentary since Spinal Tap- if it wasn't for the bear footage. The fascinating thing about this documentary is that all the participants are hilarious, overblown, and larger Half way through this film I thought it was the funniest mockumentary since Spinal Tap- if it wasn't for the bear footage. The fascinating thing about this documentary is that all the participants are hilarious, overblown, and larger than life. Christiphor Guest et al would be hard pushed to CREATE characters and lines as funny as these. Do people like this really exist? The ex girlfriend recounting her and Timothy's meeting in a restaurant and the macabre coroner talking about body parts, not to mention the helicopter pilot's complete lack of emotion and Treadwell's mania are some of the elements that lend themselves to one of the most bizarre documentaries I have ever seen. Bravo!… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
SpangleApr 29, 2014
This was a great documentary. It was very interesting watching this film knowing that, in the end, these animals that he loved so much wound up being the thing that killed him. However, throughout the film, we get to see his greatThis was a great documentary. It was very interesting watching this film knowing that, in the end, these animals that he loved so much wound up being the thing that killed him. However, throughout the film, we get to see his great interactions with the bears and foxes he encounters, while we also see a lot of comedy from Treadwell, which was unexpected. In spite of how tragic the film is at its core, there was enough humor to not bum you out with how Timothy's life ends. On top of this, Herzog's gentle direction really allowed the tapes made by Treadwell to speak for themselves (with a little narration from Herzog) and overall, it leaves you realizing that this man simply loved the grizzly bears and while he may be a little odd, he is oddly endearing and admirable.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
9
JwvJan 22, 2014
I must be frank; I didn't appreciate Werner's (the documentary makers) narration in the beginning. There is little intonation, his sentences are somewhat chopped and he has an unusual accent. During the whole journey however, we get to knowI must be frank; I didn't appreciate Werner's (the documentary makers) narration in the beginning. There is little intonation, his sentences are somewhat chopped and he has an unusual accent. During the whole journey however, we get to know Werner better because of his very personal opinion, sharp analysis and sensible and intelligent commentary. Near the end, I even viewed him as a companion with whom I was delving deeper into the mind of Timothy. Werner does an extremely good job of complicating Timothy's character with sharp analysis and good footage selection and arranging. I like the honesty of the selection process too; he both incorporates the opinions of Timothy's confidantes and of critics. The honesty and plainness with which the interviewees speak also touched me.

Like with the narration, I also adopted an opinion about Timothy polar to the one I ended with and for Werner to achieve this is a great feat. In the beginning, I thought Timothy was a great guy. Due to the directness and authenticity of his footage (this because of his own shot camera footage and the lack of social control thereabouts), the enthusiasm and pure, passionate love is tangible (and adrenaline too), even through the obstacle the medium is. You cannot but sympathize when Timothy talks about his life and how he found purpose in his lifestyle. He reminded me of Cesar Millan in the extreme, someone with a pure love and one vision. His genuine and childish enthusiasm and affection for nature is truly heart-warming, this man is all passion for his job. What's also great is Timothy's respect for the majesty of these grizzlies and his knowing that the only thing that keeps him from death there is the bear's tolerance that he wins by his own mental strength. He is a person to be admired because he lived the way he wanted, even in the face of danger and opposition. Sadly enough however, I don't admire him for his work because I feel from watching that Timothy was at fault in invading the bears' lives and playing their unwanted protector.

The documentary does a great job of complicating our initial image of Tim as a fighter for good. Timothy's diaries also reveal a flawed side, a side very hungry for recognition and being rebellious for the sake of it. It is quite disturbing to see Timothy talk to the bears as if they were humans, his long periods of loneliness may account for this, but it is still remarkable and strange. After finishing the documentary, the question of how Timothy actually helped these animals in doing what he does remains vague, and it doesn't help that the narrator explicitly states in the beginning of the movie that the bears filmed actually already live in a wildlife park. These and other facts suggest that Timothy might have actually lived among these bears not with the primary goal to better their lives, but that it might have been a solution for a broken man that was done with society and needed some time to figure himself out. I strongly suspect that his living in this wild, primordial nature might have largely been a therapy for him, a way out of the complicatedness and disappointments that human society brings. I'm convinced the bumblebee-footage answer our question about why Timothy wishes to die there of any places. Timothy liked living on the edge (as his childhood story suggests too), and I think he kicked on the adrenaline and tension that comes from the knowledge that to fail mentally in this wilderness is to die. It was a challenge to him to survive every day and every hour, of which each moment he lives works life- and character-affirming; each moment is a celebration of his mental strength. I believe he didn't want to die the way the bumblebee supposedly did, quite unexpected and in a very non-heroic and meaningless way. Therefore I believe that while his friends talk about his death being tragic, Timothy is delighted in the fact that he died in this way, always fighting with something greater than himself. This is the second reason why I think Timothy was there more for himself than for anything else. Another problem comes in his revering of the poop of one of the grizzlies. He absolutely sees them as divine, which makes us again question if we should search more meaning behind his death than someone dying because he was enchanted by a crazy ecstasy. His direct interference in nature and crazy pleading for the help of higher powers also reinforce the belief that Timothy's problem was mainly a personal problem. Timothy seemed to have had appropriated this piece of Eden for himself and any offense to it he may have seen as offense against his person, which makes his fight too personal and vicious for what it should be. He has a way of wildly dramatizing the importance of his self-imposed and self-created mission and his narcissism. In the end, you do ask yourself whether this is a documentary on nature or a documentary on a troubled human psyche.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
9
talisencrwSep 16, 2014
A HUGE return to form for Werner Herzog. Like Klaus Kinski before him, the crazy/tragic life of Timothy Treadwell brings out the best in the idiosyncratic director, and no one else could have done him justice.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
8
MattBrady99Feb 9, 2018
"If I show weakness, I'm dead. They will take me out, they will decapitate me, they will chop me up into bits and pieces I'm dead. So far, I persevere. I persevere".

Timothy Treadwell - How foolish he may seem, but at heart, a great and"If I show weakness, I'm dead. They will take me out, they will decapitate me, they will chop me up into bits and pieces I'm dead. So far, I persevere. I persevere".

Timothy Treadwell - How foolish he may seem, but at heart, a great and lovable man. I admire his courage, even if it was recklessness. The tragic death of Treadwell and his girlfriend still makes me sad thinking about it.

This documentary is perfect for someone like Werner Herzog, who's on the same wavelength as Treadwell. Herzog different outlook on life which many people find strange, but daring.

There's a part in the documentary where you see Werner listening to audio recording of the fatal bear attack, while the cap on the camera is still on. You don't hear the actual audio, but his reaction alone was so effective and haunting, even imagining what he heard gives me chills.

I recommend checking it, however not an easy watch, so beware.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
8
geewahJan 28, 2021
A fantastic doco of one man's obsessive nature, taking on mother nature.
One of Herzog's better docos.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
More From This Movie

87 Critic Reviews

7.2 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 77 Project Hail Mary
2 75 Send Help
3 73 Hoppers
4 71 The Sheep Detectives
5 68 Crime 101
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL