Herzog’s Film Grizzly Man

Addiction is a common thing in many lives. The lifestyle of Tim Treadwell in the film Grizzly Bear the director Herzog reveals that an innocent hobby when taken too seriously can lead to a severe consequence or even be life threatening. When first thinking of addiction, most people’s minds first drift to the common loss of control of craving alcohol, drugs or other substances that are damaging, but there can be more innocent addictions simply an activity you enjoy so much that you take it to far and it has long term effects.

Tim Treadwell takes his love for grizzly bears in Alaska to a whole new level.

In Herzog’s film of Tim Treadwell’s footage shows the very weird, almost disturbing connection Tim feels with the bears. In an online article by Steve Rosen he says, “From the footage in Grizzly Man, there certainly beats a heart of weirdness inside Treadwell ” (Rosen). According to the quote he verifies that not only commoners observing the odd film see an issue with Tim Treadwell’s actions.

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Prior to Treadwell’s addiction of surrounding himself in the Alaskan woods to observe grizzly bears he struggled from a substance addiction. It could be possible that Tim Treadwell’s lack of participation of his former substance abuse led to a dangerous addiction of being apart of the lives of grizzly bears. Tim became addicted to the danger and odd bonds he thought he created with the giant, violent creatures grizzly bears are.

At the beginning of Herzog's film it could be possible that Timothy Treadwell's connection to Grizzly bears was an innocent love to an amazing wild creature.

A not so severe infatuation with grizzly bears could be therapeutic and help Timothy's issues with addiction. When Tim begins approaching some of the most deadly creatures in the world is when it became clear he was seeking attention and is addicted to the danger he puts himself in. In Tim Treadwell’s footage he seems to be seeking attention from his odd behaviors and relationships with the Grizzly bears. The weirder and more odd Tim acts the more interested people become in his relationships with grizzlies.

Tim Treadwell’s relationship with the Bears is more than just a friendly liking. Tim has named the bears, he has chosen bears that he likes and dislikes, and makes very odd remarks referring to their actions. In the film Tim says, “There’s her poop, it’s warm it just came from her butt, it was just in side of her, my girl, I can touch it. It is Wendy’s poop. I know it may seem weird, but it’s her life. It is Perfect” (Bear). Any person that hears this come from a man’s mouth is instantly going to think that man is mentally unstable, crazy, and wonder what is wrong with him. At some point after hearing and seeing the absurd things, anyone would have to wonder did Tim Treadwell intend for the world to see this footage, because the film makes him look crazy. With this being said, it is clear his family and close friends were present in the creation and they would of fought against it if Grizzly Man is not a good representation of Timothy Treadwell's life.

Herzog blindly purchased one hundred hours of footage from the adventures of Tim Treadwell after his twelve summers spent in the Alaska wilderness with his grizzlies. The film of Treadwell’s adventures was all chosen and edited without his help or considerations. Would Treadwell of acted differently or chosen different films to be played for the world or are his actions a true representation of his addiction? Tim Treadwell was at odds with civilization, and coped with a strange addiction. Where his goals to truly make bonds with wild grizzly’s or gain fame for his crazy actions? In an article Steven Rosen says, “While aware of the dangers, Treadwell ascribed human-like qualities to the bears and sought a spiritual bond with them.” (Rosen) If Treadwell was in search of fame, and wanting his name broadcasted he received that. There is an element of fame, he has a film made up of his adventures, but not someone the average commoner would quickly recognize.

There is a continuing theme of madness between Tim Treadwell and civilization, in the film he seems to be of bright spirits, but that could be very well because he was in touch with his community. In many articles and interviews about Tim Treadwell a sense of sadness is present, and a dark side that gives the watchers an idea of why he may prefer the wilderness of Alaska versus the chaotic world of civilization. Executive producer Erik Nelson says during a telephone interview, 'An artistic lunatic battling artistic demons and a heart of darkness.' In this quote Erik Nelson verifies that Tim Treadwell had a dark side to him, there was a part of unhappiness within him. Was this a reason why he was okay to be placed in such danger and willingly walk up to a grizzly bear?

Everything is seen different according to a persons beliefs and background of life. Tim Treadwell’s addiction to being one on the same level as grizzly bears is odd and clearly life threatening, but Treadwell is passionate about the giant killers that he considers friends. Tim Treadwell turned his darkness of substance abuse into what he thought was a healthy addiction and instead of ending his life with substance he died doing what he loved with the ones he cherished most. As a perception of Tim Treadwell he simply wanted grizzly bears treated the same a civilized humans if not better, where most people would look at that as silly. Herzog saw their differences and noted, “I see only the overwhelming indifference of nature,' he says in the film. Yet, in our interview as well as in the film, Herzog is also careful to give Treadwell his due--as a filmmaker with a keen eye and as a passionate advocate for his cause, not afraid to live what he believes.” This quote gives a lot of credit to Tim Treadwell, he knew what he believed in and simply lived his life not worried about how crazy his actions seemed to others. While Tim's life ended in a violent, gruesome event he died where he was most happy doing what he was most passionate about.