Timothy Treadwell

While watching Werner Herzog's Grizzly Man, I found there to be a certain element of beauty within Treadwell's conviction and devotion to the creatures he observed in the wilds of Alaska. The idea that the simplicity of nature could save someone such as Timothy from the chaos and disappointment he had experienced in the "human world" seems almost poetic in a sense. I find it deeply tragic that any human being could feel unimportant or even unwanted by others, especially an individual as charismatic as Timothy Treadwell. No part of me doubts that Treadwell was indeed an intelligent man, and I find it hard to believe that he was as careless, reclusive, and simple-minded as Herzog portrays him to be. People may not agree that Treadwell deserved his self-given title of Grizzly Expert, but after surviving for thirteen summers with the wild animals, I personally could not be convinced that he did not come to understand the ways and the habits of the Alaskan grizzly bear through close observation. 

It is obvious that Timothy Treadwell's mistake was putting himself into direct and unnecessary danger, however Herzog makes his opinion of the man and his ideals clear. Throughout the film, and with much disrespect, Herzog portrays Treadwell as little more than an unaccomplished fool. It is clear through his narrative that Herzog is an egomaniac of a man with much to prove. At every turning point of the documentary, there is given an example of Herzog's superiority to Treadwell.