Grey Owl (1999) ***1/2

September 18, 1888 - April 13, 1938

A film directed by the multi-faceted Richard Attenborough (Gandhi), here is a simple, straightforward biopic about Grey Owl who was born Archibald Belaney. As one might derive from his birth name, he indeed adopted the Grey Owl moniker later on in life when his curiosities for nature and native culture were deep-seated and came into fruition. That unfortunately derided his stature and reputation as a representative of the Ojibwa peoples as well as an outspoken conservationist not unlike John Muir. His breadth of life serves as a prime example of the adage: it's not where you're from but where you're at.

I had the pleasure of watching this in class for Native American Studies and although the initial sight of Pierce Brosnan in native attire was jarring (I couldn't get the thought of Remington Steele out of my head), he managed to play down his accent for the length of the picture and pull off a respectable portrait of the man. Aside from the bio, a great reason to watch this is to simply hear the actual native Canadians speak in their beautiful language with such fluency and modesty. Another gem in viewing this is to get a general idea of the waning fur trapping industry during his time in Canada. He ultimately gave up such prospects and led a mental paradigm in terms of ecological awareness that is just now bursting at the seams all around the world. Of course, we now refer to it simply as global warming.

Also an author, his autobiographical books are what ultimately led him to pursue his hesitant motivations. Eventually going on to speak in public exhibitions, it is ample to note that Attenborough himself also caught one of these sessions at the famed Palladium theatre along with his brother and was very affected and moved by his presence.