Werner Herzog’s film explores the existing conflict between nature and man. In general, the idea behind the documentary was to demonstrate how man can alter nature, giving rise to inevitable consequences. Treadwell, being the documentary’s protagonist, is viewed with grizzlies (Rivas, 267-284). This is seen through Treadwell’s hobbies. In the documentary, Treadwell spends most of his summers with animal species. He depicts characters that have well-developed social interactions with animals. This helps create a connection between the grizzlies and man. The documentary significantly emphasizes how Treadwell cherished and valued the grizzly bears. This paper provides an analysis of the Grizzly Man” while exploring the life and legacy of Treadwell. Moreover, this paper aims to establish whether the character in question would be considered an environmentalist hero, amalgamation, or misguided enthusiasm in his efforts to protect grizzly bears.
What kind of person was Timothy Treadwell? Is Warner Herzog trying to portray Treadwell as a hero of environmentalism, a deluded incompetent, or something in between?
While expanding on Treadwell’s personal life, the documentary raises a significant concern on whether the main protagonist should be viewed as an environmental hero, deluded incompetent, or not. Indeed, Herzog tries to depict an environmentalist hero from Treadwell. In the film, there is the use of a majestic soundtrack that makes viewers associate Treadwell with environmental heroism. Successfully, Treadwell protects the grizzly bears. Treadwell’s passion for supporting and helping animals, even as explained by interviewees, demonstrates his endless commitment to protecting wildlife. He is believed to have spent over 30 summers engaging with animals. Therefore, his devotion to protecting grizzly bears reflects a sense of environmentalist heroism. We can, therefore, conclude that Treadwell is an environmentalist hero (Rivas, 267-284).
Critics disassociate Treadwell with environmental heroism. To some extent, Treadwell is not viewed as an advocate for protecting the grizzlies. This can be seen through Treadwell’s appearance and attitude—one of the essential aspects that does not associate Treadwell with environmentalism due to the dress code. In the documentary, Treadwell is seen with bandannas and opaque glasses (West, pg. 1-20). This dress code contradicts his identity as an environmentalist hero. It camouflages to natural habitats, connecting Treadwell to military personnel and not an environmentalist. Despite these scenes disassociating Treadwell from an environmentalist, his ambitions and commitments towards environmental sustainability are clear. He is passionate about wildlife. His attitude towards nature cannot be disregarded. He goes beyond adventure to recognize and appreciate the beauty of nature.
What were Treadwell’s goals? Were they about “protecting the bears,” or were they more self-promotional? To what extent did he achieve them?
Treadwell’s goals based on the documentary revolve around greater motives for self-promotion and genuine reasons for safeguarding the bears. In the documentary, we are subjected to exceptional scenes where Treadwell shows genuine concern for protecting the bears. He is well connected to the animal species, making him spend over thirty summers exploring the animal species. His intentions are valid and primarily driven by passion (Rivas, 267-284). His ambitions could be seen in how Herzog uses structure and pacing throughout the documentary. Treadwell further shares his vision regarding exploring animal settings while seeking to address animal poaching. Looking at his excerpt recording in the documentary, which included vast grizzlies in the grazing field, Treadwell notes the dangers of residing near animal habitats.
Treadwell foresees his fate in which the same grizzlies claimed his life. He demonstrates how dangerous wild animals can be, even as he is devoted to protecting these grizzlies. The connection he has towards these animals is undisputed. Herzog associates the character in Treadwell as one that betrays a sense of humanity by cherishing wild animals more than humanity. We can note that he develops an attitude of neglecting his lover, Huguenard, for the love of animal species (Chaves, n.p). He is, therefore, the kind of person who values animal species over humankind. Both Treadwell and Herzog have a shared view concerning the connection between nature and man. To add weight, the filmmaker uses cinematic elements and footage to appreciate the role of man and nature. This is significantly portrayed to emphasize the aspect of self-glorification. Moreover, the film uses mise-en-scene to unravel these aspects.
What do you think this documentary’s “lesson” or “point” (or theme) was? What idea(s) was it grappling with, and what can an audience learn?
One of the critical lessons that can be obtained from the documentary is the importance of fostering healthy connections to nature. The documentary emphasizes the value of paying attention to nature and valuing what comes with it (West, pg. 1-20). The film urges humankind to protect animal species, ignoring the animal-man barriers. The documentary reminds us to embrace nature and protect everything by establishing a balance between man and nature. Furthermore, the film also cautions about the dangers of human-animal interactions which may result in death. In the case of Treadwell, he was devoted to supporting and protecting animal species, which led to his death.
The documentary warns about being an idiot, just like Treadwell. His associations with the polar bears can be seen as an act of ignorance, especially to the deadly animals that he interacted with. The film helps us understand the significance of disassociating with dangerous wild animals that would cost us death. These animals are known well for attacking and causing harm to humankind. We are encouraged to avoid these species and never befriend them (West, pg. 1-20). The viewers are made to perceive Treadwell as a delusional and stupid fellow who ignores his safety in the wildlife habitats. Despite the negative consequences of connecting with the animal species, Treadwell embraces the polar bears. While interacting with the bears, his mission is beyond the dangers that await him. The superiority depicted by his attitudes helps us preserve and uphold human traditions while engaging with dangerous animal species.
Another vital lesson the documentary depicts is the need to respect nature and the very parts of it. It emphasizes the relevance of giving back to nature rather than taking away from it. While protecting the bears from poachers, Treadwell shows the importance of protecting wildlife and its habitats. Treadwell’s narrative concerning giving back to nature can be linked to the human acts of appreciating the role of nature and preserving it. We are encouraged to create balance with animal species. Outside the world, human beings are not viewed as spectators as far as adventure is concerned. Humans need to explore the animal world values and practice human values and traditions towards animals.
Even Treadwell’s critics have to agree that animal species must be respected and treated with human value. The love that Treadwell had for the animal species is undisputed. His view about animals was critical in helping us understand and appreciate nature. Herzog maintains that while we watch the animals in their joys of being, grace, and ferociousness, a thought becomes clearer. That it is an insight into ourselves, our nature. And that, for me, beyond his mission, gives meaning to Timothy’s life and death”. In this case, the filmmaker significantly recognizes Timothy’s vision of embracing and preserving the animal species (Eagan et al., pg. 215). Notably, what we see in ourselves is directly reflected by nature. Therefore, we are expected to preserve and protect nature, considering its value to humankind.
During such an adventure, the documentary reminds us of being sensitive and careful to nature. We are encouraged to be more cautious, especially in an environment inhabited by bears. There should be some preparedness for unpredictable events that may cost us lives. Besides, we must seek insights and knowledge about nature and its hazards. This may help develop the mental strength to navigate such situations. The dangers depicted by bears towards people can be traced from the conflicts between the two. Since the beginning of time, man has been striving to eradicate bears and take opportunities of their space. This is a subject of interest as we continue to respect and preserve nature. The dangers of such animal species cannot be ignored. There are adverse consequences that have been emphasized throughout the documentary. Our safety while exploring wildlife adventure must be prioritized even as we interact with the animals (Chaves, n.p).
In conclusion, the narrative “Grizzly Man” shares the experiences and perception of Treadwell towards nature. Throughout the documentary, we know his vision and commitment to creating healthy connections with animals. Herzog deploys cinematic sounds, pacing, and images that help the audience connect between Treadwell’s motives towards nature. His life to death reflects on the purpose of man towards nature. It raises concerns about associating with dangerous animal species over friendly humanity. The grizzly bears are known to be very dangerous, a view that Treadwell ignores. His ignorance of the nature of wild species makes some call him delusional and stupid. Treadwell may be recognized as an environmentalist hero from the documentary due to his endless love and passion for preserving animals—however, those disassociating him from being an environmentalist claim that his outfit does not match him. The scarf makes him appear more of a military agent.
Works Cited
Chaves, Filipe Freitas, and Luiz Roberto Pinto Nazario. “The found footage of Werner Herzog’s Grizzly Man.”
Eagan, Anthony, and Simon Thornton. “A Kierkegaardian Perspective.” The Philosophy of Werner Herzog (2020): 215.
Rivas López, Victor G. “A Criticism of the Current Subjectivist Totemism in Werner Herzog’s Grizzly Man.” Phenomenology of the Object and Human Positioning: Human, Non-Human and Posthuman. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2021. 267-284.
West, Brandon. “Murky waters: Incident at Loch Ness, Grizzly Man, and Herzogian notions of truth.” New Review of Film and Television Studies (2023): 1-20.
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