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Grizzly Man

Grizzly Man

2005
Documentary, Biography
1h 43m
In his mesmerizing new film, acclaimed director Werner Herzog explores the life and death of amateur grizzly bear expert and wildlife preservationist Timothy Treadwell. (Lions Gate Films)
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Grizzly Man

2005
Documentary, Biography
1h 43m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 67.35% from 3817 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(3817)
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Compact view
Rated 22 Sep 2010
80
90th
A man tries to convince a bunch of bears that he's straight.
Rated 09 Mar 2007
70
42nd
Bart Simpson gets eaten by a bear.
Rated 26 Mar 2014
75
79th
I've been holding back on this one for a long time for two reasons. One: overrated already wrote the perfect review. Two: Timothy Treadwell was a real person that died, and I do not take that lightly. Regardless of how I feel towards his methods, he did some amazing things and furthered man's understanding of grizzly bears. I would insist upon myself that any attempt at a joke on my part should be done in good taste. You know, like Timothy Treadwell was to the bear. I'm so sorry.
Rated 18 May 2010
95
96th
Where other directors would have made a freak show, Herzog dissects hundreds of hours of footage in search of Treadwell's soul, uncovering accounts of extreme highs and lows as Timothy, in an almost 'Michael Jacksonesque' manner, tries to reinvent himself as a mythological man-bear. Instead of smearing on the drama, Herzog's fascination with the inherit honesty of the image, brings to life an account of beauty, madness and tragedy; Sometimes involuntarily funny, but always dangerously human.
Rated 21 Jan 2007
12
5th
fuck that guy was annoying
Rated 06 Apr 2010
90
85th
The maniacal behavior of our story's main character, the wildness of the nature he's so drawn to, and a heavy dose of fatalism, are the main ingredients of this sordid tale. Herzog's cynical outlook on the events that transpired stand in stark contrast to Treadwell's unhinged enthusiasm. Treadwell alternates between catching beautiful, fleeting moments, and ranting and raving at the skies. It's impossible not to empathize with him, but it's harder still not to judge him for his recklessness.
Rated 07 Feb 2007
90
94th
Grizzly Man brings together most of the typical Herzog elements: madness, the hostility of nature, the role of the filmmaker, people at the fringes of society, and horrifying tragedy. Herzog edits this beautifully, revealing the story gradually, like a flower slowly opening, petal by mysterious petal.
Rated 14 Apr 2008
88
87th
Wow. Herzog did it again. The story and subject really suited something Herzog would tackle, and he couldn't have done it any better than this. Treadwell was truly insane but at the same time you couldn't help but feel sorry for the man. Herzog really shows both sides of Treadwell, the raving obsessive lunatic, and the compassionate and down to earth lover of nature to a tee. The film and Treadwell's actions are debatable, and that is what's great about this film, Herzog let us decide. Awesome!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
92
93rd
Great fucking movie. I loved every minute of it. The analysis about nature and humans was philosophical: Herzog is a genius.
Rated 23 Aug 2008
7
57th
What you're looking at, is a 5 year old kid who's still in love with animals, which unfortunately led to his demise. Herzog did a fine job in collecting the best parts of Treadwell's footage. But my biggest complaint here is: half of this film seemed unbelievably fake and fishy. For those who've seen a lot of films, that's not how people act in documentaries, especially the guy who played the coroner: laughable to the point of disgust. Second viewing is suggested for those who liked it a lot...
Rated 22 Oct 2008
85
95th
It is very fortunate that Timothy Treadwell's own video footage fell into the hands of Werner Herzog. Herzog's presentation is attentive and sympathetic, but not fawning. He lets Treadwell's voice be heard but ends up making a comment or two of his own. I highly recommend the film to nature lovers.
Rated 02 May 2007
100
97th
A humanizing but unsentimental portrait of a man who loved nature but didn't understand it.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
89
91st
Wow. Treadwell is a freak, but you can't look away from him. It's like watching a clown tease large hungry animals. Actually, that's exactly what it was. The coroner was really bizarre, and his scenes are out there. He just couldn't stop smiling. And to think this was all because Woody Harrelson got the bartender's part on Cheers. And, just for reference, Herzog's narration was completely unnecessary.
Rated 30 Dec 2007
83
82nd
While anyone probably could've constructed a good movie from the hours and hours of Treadwell's footage, Herzog made a great movie from it.
Rated 19 Feb 2009
5
44th
Treadwell was obviously someone who had a lot of mental issues. If he said he loved a fox and/or bear one more time I was gonna lose it. I mean, for someone who immersed himself in nature for so long you would think he would know just a little about what he was doing. It was entertaining for the most part but Jesus it was frustrating a lot of the time. And what was the deal with the coroner? It felt so fake that I was yelling at my television. Herzog has done better, disappointing =(.
Rated 03 Apr 2012
55
53rd
I think the beauty that I experienced in this movie came more from the raw nature captured in Treadwell's footage, carefully selected by Herzog, than it did from the examination of Treadwell's personality. He invariably comes off as either childish or insane to the point where it's nearly impossible to sympathize with him, in spite of Herzog's philosophical musings on the nature of man.
Rated 23 Feb 2007
90
91st
Amazing documentary. You can tell that even though Herzog didn't necessarily agree with Treadwell's outlook he still respected the man. Herzog picks the most beautiful shots of the thousands of hours of footage shot by Treadwill and creates an amazing documentary.
Rated 25 Sep 2008
75
71st
With such many hours of footage the "Grizzly Man" gathered during his expeditions, it is good to question how much Herzog has actually used selective editing while making this documentary. Still an interesting and thought-provoking documentary about the nature of people and animals.
Rated 16 May 2009
89
89th
A portrait of a man whose dedication to nature far outweighs his expertise and understanding. Herzog really forms a distinct story-line out of Treadwell's life showing him as nature's hero, a disturbed young man and finally as a child too dedicated to understand the consequences of his actions. Really interesting stuff.
Rated 17 Jun 2009
70
76th
I couldn't believe this is a true story. Had to google it to be sure. Great job by Herzog
Rated 05 Jul 2009
9
92nd
Herzog can definitely make a documentary. Makes you question what is fact and what is fiction. You just notice as it goes, the clever film making of it all.
Rated 01 Aug 2009
88
90th
Herzog does it again, with yet another fascinating account of an outsider living on the fringe. This time he focuses on a "preservationist" with an unnaturally strong love of animals. Although Herzog clearly identifies with the obsessives, he never fails to give a balanced view of things, and is not shy about injecting his own viewpoints either, even if they directly contradict his subject's. In this case, he's not shy about shunning Treadwell's naive and optimistic view of the natural world.
Rated 20 Sep 2009
75
35th
Interesting how it starts off making him seem relatively normal and then unfolds his madness. Also Herzog's voice is so great. I could listen to him talk for hours.
Rated 23 Oct 2009
3
38th
Treadwell is a fucking weirdo but there's no doubt he makes for an interesting documentary subject. Despite his bizarreness and probable mental troubles he's an engaging and empathetic figure. I love how Herzog commands the film, offering his own insights through narration and commenting on Treadwell's character and speculating on his motivations. It gives the film an interesting layer.
Rated 19 Dec 2009
90
92nd
Chilling look at a man who loved nature; but didn't understand it. Fantastic documentary.
Rated 26 Feb 2010
90
94th
You will be stunned at what you see. You may think Treadwell is nuts and that his ideals are ridiculous, but you will be shocked at some of the footage of him with these very wild bears. Herzog does a great job of actually showing more than one-side of Treadwell. He doesn't just show him as some heroic environmentalist, or just a man who has definite social and mental problems. He weaves both so you can be both sympathetic and frustrated with him at the same time. Can't recommend enough.
Rated 15 May 2010
76
57th
The scenery shots are really cool, and I enjoyed seeing the bears in thier natural habitat. Treadwell is quite a complex character, and is worthy of a film centering around him. Some of the interviews (the morgue especially) are a bit odd, and I am thankful they didn't actually show the video or play the audio. Don't buy into the idea of trying to become a bear, but if it mkes you happy then I guess go for it. HErzog does a good job splicing the interviews and treadwell's video together.
Rated 04 Mar 2011
88
81st
Must-see, but probably only the once.
Rated 31 Jan 2007
95
94th
Facinating, even without Herzog's unique view, Timothy Treadwell is just a captivating human being.
Rated 01 Mar 2007
70
35th
At times, he was articulate...at other times, he was just insane. Its still a sad story. He didn't deserve what happened to him.
Rated 16 Apr 2007
16
90th
Timothy Treadwell's life documenting grizzly bears in Alaska, his hatred of the "people's world", his efforts to be at one with the bears and reject humanness are brought to live masterfully by Herzog's masterful and wonderfully accented narration. Herzog walks perfectly the tightrope between trivialising Treadwell's experience and over-sentimentalising it--to wonderful effect. Only Herzog could do justice to as bizarre a subject as this.
Rated 16 Apr 2007
75
65th
The footage is at times beautiful, which is what makes this movie worth watching. After another viewing, bumping the score up.
Rated 14 Jun 2007
90
86th
Brings together human behaviour with raw nature in an unusual way that most likely will never be seen again.
Rated 26 Jun 2007
75
34th
Sorry, I have a dark sense of humor, and while I understand the grim reality of the ending, I can't help but find this one of the most unintentionally funny movies ever.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
91st
The trailer for this movie might indicate that this is a nature documentary about bears. But in fact this is a biographical documentary about Timothy Treadwell - a man who lived with bears in Alaska for 13 summers. The movie paints an excellent portrait of Timothy mostly through his amazing footage and also through interviews with friends and family. There is also quite a bit of bears footage if you are interested in the nature aspect of things. But really the most interesting part of this docu
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
63rd
"We bet you'd LOVE it!" ~ Criticker, it's like you've read my mind. This man's life is a roadside accident that hypnotizes you. He's insane in a way that is hilarious and sad. The ending puts the movie over the top.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
79
72nd
Fascinating look into a very odd obsession. Treadwell's footage is great, and despite his obvious problems he remains a sympathetic and interesting figure. I also really like the tension between Herzog's cynical views on nature with Treadwell's optimism; Herzog's presentation obviously champions the former view, but not so much that the viewer can't see Treadwell's side, too (it's remarkable he lasted as long as he did).
Rated 14 Aug 2007
60
62nd
The story of a closet homosexual lunatic who thinks he can live in the wild with grizzly bears,Ah well one less idiot on the planet, lets rejoice.A sure fire winner of a Darwin award.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
78
52nd
The documentary is good enough but the man it's about brings new meaning to just plain stupid
Rated 14 Aug 2007
6
70th
You must nevar listen to thees! YOU MUST BURN THIS TAPE.
Rated 24 Apr 2008
100
96th
This is the best documentary I've ever seen.
Rated 17 May 2008
82
81st
I seriously loved it when that fox took his hat and he threw a temper-tantrum. This guy was some seriously new kind of nature nut, and I honestly thought he was gay most of the movie.
Rated 24 Jun 2008
95
85th
This documentary made me yell at the TV a lot. I mean, we've all [read: biologists] played around in grizzly scat, but who waxes poetic about it, and then proceeds to do everything possible to become grizzly scat? The whole thing plays out less like a documentary and more like a horror/thriller.
Rated 28 Jul 2008
88
70th
Gripping film. Treadwell was an interesting guy.
Rated 06 Nov 2008
90
72nd
Terrific documentary. You will be intriqued by the story of Timothy Treadwell. Recommended.
Rated 17 Dec 2008
85
80th
An incredible portrait of a man some would call deeply disturbed, but who in reality came off to me as someone incredible. Another powerful film by Herzog.
Rated 04 Feb 2009
95
96th
The entertaining and haunting look at the real life of a man who tempted nature in an attempt to discover his place in the world.
Rated 03 Jul 2009
90
88th
Sad, strange, ultimately fascinating. There's something very haunting about a man who loves and dies for nature, despite its cold indifference to him.
Rated 10 Sep 2009
90
92nd
10/9/9 - Beautiful, haunting and amazing. Herzog is a master editor, letting the story slowly reveal itself, and its clear that he views Treadwell sympathetically. The scene where he listens to the tape is heartbreaking.
Rated 18 Nov 2009
65
25th
An intriguing and tragic story, but whether it was worth a film documentary of 90 minutes is another matter. I think a half hour show would have covered it just as well, if not better as there comes a point about 40 minutes into the film where you think "we get the message now". Not a film you'd want to watch more than once.
Rated 25 Dec 2009
80
80th
Herzog produces another great documentary. He somehow manages to convey his own views quiet strongly without really overpowering the viewer and still leaving the ultimate questions open to the viewer. Treadwell is certainly an interesting character who found solitude from civilization in nature, however misguided that may or may not have been. Herzog manages to fill in the gaps between Treadwell's footage with some fantastic scenes such as him listening to the death tape.
Rated 07 Mar 2010
95
98th
Grizzly Man paints a vivid, emotional portrait of a world-weary, deeply troubled man who seeks to escape the confines of our overburdening society. A wish that he is ultimately granted. A wonderful, if staged documentary. But, as much as I love Werner Herzog and enjoy listening to his stories (in german that is), he ought to reconsider narrating his own movies in the future, as adorable as he sounds.
Rated 27 Mar 2010
95
82nd
Fascinating. A very different take on documentary movie-making. Part documentation, part psychological analysis of a truly unique individual.
Rated 22 Jun 2010
70
75th
I get that Tim has psychological problems and smokes 24/7, but what is up with everybody else?? There all a bit.. well.. Off.. I couldn't stop laughing, even the doctors were crazy.. Great story telling by Herzog.
Rated 12 Oct 2010
90
84th
Yeah, some of the interviews are staged - that's Herzog. But the story here is so fascinating and tragic that I was absorbed in and connected with Tredwell from moment one.
Rated 05 Nov 2010
3
9th
...Timothy Treadwell had obviously never heard of Gloomy Bear.
Rated 22 Jan 2011
83
63rd
Excellent documentary of a fascinating individual. As usual, Herzog the director is a character in his films, but he 's such a great character, we don't care. I learn more about him in every one of his films.
Rated 19 Mar 2011
73
45th
It could have been a great documentary, except Herzog can't keep himself from narrating and putting words in people's mouths.
Rated 13 Dec 2011
75
35th
An intriguing documentary by Werner Herzog about the power of nature and a man who challenged it.
Rated 18 Jan 2012
2
59th
Call him nuts, call him noble. Timothy Treadwell lived his dream, to the extreme. Not many of us can say the same.
Rated 08 Mar 2012
68
56th
Like other Critties said, some things seemed staged, like those interviews. They not always seemed sincere, like they recited from a script the speakers wrote or something. There clearly was something mentally wrong with Treadwell, like the people acclaimed in the doc.
Rated 27 Apr 2012
20
8th
I have to hand it to him for being brave enough to get eaten by a grizzly bear. But I think that's also the definition of stupid.
Rated 20 Oct 2012
75
75th
mindblowing material somewhat over-analyzed and over-directed by herzog. ironic, I guess, seeing as how simplistic this documentary is.
Rated 19 Nov 2012
75
66th
Interesting but wears a bit.
Rated 31 Mar 2013
89
90th
Is this the story of the worlds most persistent and dedicated environmentalist or the self-destruction of a socially-starved and mentally unstable society drop-out? Werner Herzog portrays with immense perfection a journey into a hurt human life and it simply just blew my mind many times over. Deeply personal, Herzog makes its clear that this view presented is his and his alone and through that, tells the viewer to make up their own mind about Treadwell. Fascinating, so intriguing and so intense.
Rated 16 Apr 2015
90
91st
Herzog is the most virtuous man in cinema! He has the gift of showing people with all their weaknesses and is still able to obtain their dignity. How he just interrupts and says "I disagree here" is so simple and yet so graceful. It opens up the posibilty of the true observation of Timothy Treadwell. Herzog allows us to think about ourselfs while we're watching Treadwell and his overreaching behaviour. Hail to you, Mr Herzog - my teacher of humanity!
Rated 17 Aug 2015
73
65th
Interesting documentary that is worth a watch. Treadwell is a very interesting character and unique individual. I respect him in a lot of ways, though he obviously had his flaws, which made him more sympathetic. His fate was tragic, for some reason this film felt as a mockumentary at times and I couldn't stop laughing at some unintended points, simply because the whole situation is so crazy. Could have been shorter, it did drag a little here and there, but I am glad this film was made. Watch it!
Rated 15 Jan 2019
71
31st
As far as personality-focused documentaries go, the methodology of this one and its effort to explore the philosophy of its subject as much as his idiosyncrasies is far more palatable than others. I appreciate Herzog's deep interest in the subject, even if it feels slightly objectifying, but his ideological interest in the story shows through and reveals something about obsession, nature, and modernity that might've remained buried in the story and its sensationalist retellings otherwise.
Rated 22 Jan 2021
80
54th
Pretty good. The Herzog's take on the dangers of wanting to believe something over having actual evidence is good, fine, probably worthwhile. Given the thesis, the subject has to be pretty goddamn dumb. And he is, ladies and gentlemen and *.
Rated 18 Apr 2021
98
95th
Utterly captivating, unique portrait of Treadwell and his obsessions is an ideal fit for Herzog's fascination with eccentric, single-minded people on foolhardy quests. Vigorous and stimulating because of the delicate balancing act Herzog manages by never overtly sympathising with Treadwell or sentimentalising the animals - the bears are an unblinking reflection of the cold disregard of nature; Treadwell's ultimate grisly end is neither tragic nor heroic – it just is (as Herzog all but states).
Rated 25 Apr 2022
77
63rd
There's foreshadowing, and then there's a bear licking his chops behind Timothy Treadwell for an hour. Quote of the movie: "We hauled four garbage bags of people out of that bear."
Rated 13 Dec 2006
65
35th
He was an idiot i don't feel bad for him or his g/f.
Rated 28 Dec 2006
100
98th
oh.. my.. god. see it now.
Rated 01 May 2007
88
82nd
Timothy Treadwell you crazy sonofabitch. You are delicious and I liked your movie, too. Signed, Bear
Rated 18 May 2007
90
72nd
Herzog breaks many of the rules of a classic documentary, commentating on Treadwell's beliefs and philosophies while giving a pretentious voice over narration, However, given the nature of the film's tital character and the footage shot by Treadwell, Herzog's eccentricities work and create one of th ebest character studies in years.
Rated 19 May 2007
75
72nd
Timothy Treadwell was one crazy dude.
Rated 14 Jun 2007
55
15th
On the one hand, I found it remarkably frustrating and simply could not find sympathy for Treadwell. But on the other hand, the film succeeded because my family and I were talking about it for days, even weeks after we'd seen it.
Rated 28 Jun 2007
92
89th
Powerful, thoughtful documentary.
Rated 21 Jul 2007
91
94th
Just go see it.
Rated 06 Aug 2007
87
77th
Most likely Herzog's easiest sell to the general audience, it is a little strange to rate this as the majority of the cinematography is done by a dead man. However, it's beautiful and some of the editing really lets you see how nuts this guy was out in the wilderness, a Herzog staple.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
10
2nd
Saw about 20 min of it. Synopsis: Idiot lives with wild bears til he gets himself and another innocent person eaten. P.S. He was absolutely crazy in addition to being suicidal!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
50th
Just brilliant. Funny .. moving .. astonishing. Herzog is such a mad genius. He totally makes every film his own, regardless of who it's about ! I love him for that. Classic narration. Poor Timmy !! Warm poop !
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
97th
Werner Herzog's portrayal of an eccentric man named Timothy Treadwell is extremely effective in its objective observations of his philosophy and his film. The guy may have been a crackpot, but through and through, he was a human being over anything else.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
68
44th
The footage with Treadwell and the grizzlies is rather amazing, but Herzog's voice over narration becomes so overbearing at points that it borders on comical.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
50
25th
Pretty dull all around.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
87
46th
Psychotic, endearing, mesmerizing - it's a Chinese fingertrap Herzog has created where one's mind is constrained in trying to come to grips about who Treadwell was and what exactly he means for society if anything at all.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
89
65th
twisted... timmy really was crazy
Rated 31 Aug 2007
80
49th
I love my aniaml friends. This guy is ridiculous. You laugh at him the whole way until the part where they talk about when he was eaten. then yourlike oh crap.
Rated 17 Sep 2007
65
49th
informative
Rated 06 Oct 2007
90
88th
Herzog draws out the magnificent tension that exists within Treadwell's own tapes: that of nature's indifference vs. a sense of harmony and goodness that is foundational in the world. Treadwell's story seems to better align with Herzog's view of the world in the end, though his ability to sustain his way of life for so many years creates a natural tension that aids the film tremendously. Herzog's narration as he explicitly guides the film makes this something of an essay film--typical for him.
Rated 17 Oct 2007
65
39th
Thrilling at parts, but dull at others.
Rated 14 Nov 2007
85
92nd
Somewhat sad documentary about delusional bear activist Timothy Treadwell. Only bad thing in this movie was that some of the interviews felt more like bad acting than people telling stories.
Rated 14 Nov 2007
87
89th
Touching and realistic documentary about the last expedition of Timothy Treadwell. A delusional man who hated civilization.
Rated 18 Nov 2007
70
19th
his attitude to the Bear was wrong IMHO, even though he loved them
Rated 30 Dec 2007
98
94th
I'm actually watching this as I'm typing. Herzog makes another masterpiece of a man with an unusual dream who challenges nature and ultimately fails.
Rated 27 Feb 2008
80
24th
Crazy man.
Rated 14 Mar 2008
95
98th
My favorite documentary. Herzog uses Treadwell's unique story and strange personality to create a masterpiece that has a very profound message about our relationship with nature. "The overwhelming indifference of nature" has never been depicted so accurately. A haunting movie that just won't leave my mind.
Rated 05 Apr 2008
70
81st
much better than the book--cherry-picked the good stuff from the novel and replaced the rest
Rated 14 Apr 2008
84
84th
This was like a lamer version of the croc hunter, although i commend Timothy Treadwell for his passion for the wildlife i would say he got what was comming. The documentry part of this movie was good and I would have to give most of the credit to Werner Herzog for that but the best part of the movie was the vid footage of Tim and how screwed up and crazy he really was.
Rated 20 Apr 2008
75
91st
I would love to go out for a pint with Werner Herzog but I would not go camping with Timothy Treadwell.

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