DVD round-up from The TOMB

Werner Herzog's brilliant 'Grizzly Man' is The TOMB's pick of the week.

May  2 2006

It's all quiet on the DVD front this week, with distributors no doubt deciding that punters have better ways to spend their May Day bank holiday than trawling stores for new releases.

I therefore only have one film to recommend, 'Grizzly Man', Werner Herzog's uncompromising account of the life and death of environmentalist Timothy Treadwell.

A remarkable individual who, much like Herzog, lived life on his own terms, Treadwell all but gave up on the human race many years ago, preferring instead to spend his time with the grizzly bears of Alaska.

However, in an effort to observe, understand and protect the animals, he crossed a line in late 2003, and one of the creatures attacked and devoured him.

Drawing on more than 100 hours of film that Timothy filmed himself, Herzog's documentary features simply stunning footage of the bears in their natural habitat, and for that reason alone it's worthy of praise.

However, knowing the terrible outcome from the start makes these same scenes disconcertingly chilling throughout, and sometimes seriously uncomfortable viewing.

The film is nevertheless a gripping, disturbing account of an extraordinary individual and a testament to the breathtaking beauty and destructive power of nature. Go rent or buy it now!

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