Grizzly Man
User Score
7.0 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 116 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 85 out of 116
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 116
  3. Negative: 21 out of 116

Review this movie

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. SamJ.
    Aug 28, 2005
    10
    Superb in every way!
  2. MaryM.
    Feb 3, 2006
    10
    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.
  3. CarlaM.
    Oct 3, 2005
    10
    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
  4. Pam
    Aug 17, 2005
    10
    Extraordinary footage from a unique character made Herzog's job a lot easier, but he still makes the film his own, with a delicate balance of humor and horror. A superb, thought-provoking film.
  5. Aaron
    Aug 20, 2005
    10
    This is Herzog's best film in years. It fits in nicely with recurring theme of the idealist at odds with nature. Herzog does an amazing job assembling Treadwell's footage into a fascinating, coherent film. And I don't believe Herzog's narration took any cheap shots at all. He offered interesting insights into Treadwell's character and yet, allows the view to make up his/her mind regarding the man's motives. Great movie, be sure to check it out. I'm sure it will appear on a great many ten best lists later this year.… Expand
  6. KateW.
    Aug 20, 2005
    9
    This is a very interesting, touching, and sad documentary; I was surprised to find it more to be a natural study of psychosis than of a wildlife film. While most critics have labeled Timothy Treadwell's behavior "foolish" or "obsessive", Treadwell's delusions of grandeur, his paranoia, his need for the extreme highs and lows of his mood swings, and his inability to fit in with society really classify him as insane. His life with the bears seemed all rather secondary to his own mental turmoil.… Expand
  7. richardb.
    Aug 29, 2005
    9
    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
  8. SimonS.
    Jan 6, 2006
    9
    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
  9. KenK.
    Feb 17, 2006
    9
    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
  10. JoeF.
    Mar 3, 2006
    10
    Anyone who rated this movie less than 8 does not deserve life! Treadwell was an amazing man, and this movie is just as amazing.
  11. andrewj
    Dec 31, 2005
    10
    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
  12. NicR
    Aug 10, 2005
    10
    This is one of those films that makes you think, "Wow! This is amazing!" And that's only compounded by the fact that you eventually grasp the fact that it's real.
  13. GrantN.
    Jan 17, 2006
    9
    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.
  14. MattB.
    Feb 25, 2006
    9
    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."
  15. NickS.
    Mar 17, 2006
    10
    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
  16. Selina
    Aug 6, 2009
    10
    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
  17. SeamusS.
    Feb 26, 2006
    10
    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
  18. MichelG
    Nov 26, 2007
    10
    This is a great film, it combine unintentional humor with deeply touching footage. Tims love for nature should be praised, along with this movie.
  19. Mithyus
    Apr 16, 2007
    10
    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
  20. mikem.
    Dec 29, 2005
    10
    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.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 35 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: David Sterritt
    100
    Brilliant, poetic, and utterly unique.
    Read full review
  2. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Pete Vonder Haar
    70
    The results are by turns fascinating, horrifying, and maddening.
    Read full review
  3. Premiere
    Reviewed by: Glenn Kenny
    100
    Herzog not only tells an incredible story but implies a dark metaphysic of the natural world that makes this film unsettlingly larger than its human subject.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »