kthit
Some people display shocking ignorance in some of the reviews when they say that this entire documentary is not genuine, that its just a PBS fundraiser, & that since the camera was moving, the guy was clearly not alone.. Well, I cant help but laugh at their ignorance.. "Richard Proenneke made a film record of his solitary life which was later recut and made into the documentary." Pls think before u ink.. I know some people may find it boring.. But to say that this is a false documentary requires a high level of foolishness.. & To say that this is just a PBS fundraiser.. Well.. A "fundraiser" which took nearly 30 years.. WOW.. completely moronic..
Sean Lamberger
Retired mechanic Dick Proenneke decides to spend his twilight years in the wilds of an Alaskan national park, living off the land in every way imaginable. Filmed in the 1960s, it shows a man secure enough in his own capabilities to not only stake his life on them, but to spend every bit of remaining energy on a painstakingly complete document of the process. Like an ancient Youtube vlogger, Proenneke rolls 8mm footage of himself hunting, canoeing, interacting with potentially dangerous wildlife and building an astoundingly cushy log cabin from nothing more than natural materials, then overdubs his own narration track to boot. With a warm, familiar personality and a straightforward, no-doubts conviction, he's one half Bob Ross and the other half Les Stroud, decades before either came to prominence. Absolutely fascinating, not to mention inspirational, I just wish it ran longer than sixty minutes.
m-mischeaux2011
If you've ever thought about giving it all up and setting off into a life in the wilderness, then this is the film you need to see. Even if it has only ever been a flight of fancy, you will love this film. You will admire a master craftsman at work. You will respect his work ethic, and his attention to detail. He is patient and diligent. Dick Proenneke takes you on an amazing journey as he carves out a new life for himself in the beautiful and unspoiled Alaska of the late 60's. I love to watch a man of skill work and I have watched this film time and time again. Each winter, when it's too cold and too snowy, and I'm not planning to go anywhere, I make a cup of cocoa, wrap up warm, and I watch Dick go to work, carving out his dream. It's amazing to watch a man build something with just what nature provides and a few hand tools. No machines, no electricity, no help. I would love to live a simple life, out away from everything, but not alone. If you admire the pioneer spirit, then you owe it to yourself to watch this man show you what it it takes to make a home with just your two hands. I don't think they make them like him anymore. If they do, I hope I find one.
Daniel Martin
This movie shows the beauty of Alaska and the tenacity and ingenuity of man. It is somewhat simple in its presentation, but this makes it all the more endearing. The narrative is in Dick Proeneke's own words though and show his intelligence and respect for the wilderness. If you see only one documentary in your life, this is the one to see. Once you see it you will want to share it with everyone you know. By the end of the movie you will have a tear in your eye because you both don't want it to end and have been introduced to an amazing man who has since left us. To sum this up, watch it, watch it, watch it. After seeing this movie be sure to go to the library or book store so you can read more about this amazing man. There are 2 or 3 books written about him and are based on his writings.
AD
