ajheinrich59 An "Ode To The Simple Life" Dick Proenneke's masterpiece reminds us all of simpler times and of gentler souls like Muir and Thoreau, who lived in harmony with the land, taking only what they needed and nothing more. Those who must have CG and action-packed hyper-bass sound effects need not apply. This movie only requires an appreciation for the skills and fortitude it takes to live life in the wild without electricity, without complexity, and yet with a modicum of civility and amenities that you "build" with your own hands. I first saw this movie on PBS and was entranced. Having grown up in the ranching/farming country of the Similkameen valley in British Columbia, Canada, I was familiar with life in the wilderness, but had never ventured much deeper into the wild than a couple days hike from my home. Dick Proenneke's adventure was on an altogether different plane; challenging, almost spiritual in his commitment to living simply and ALONE. Proenneke's film is among the first "reality" shows that is truly REAL. There are no scripted moments, no games or strategies to rid you of unwanted competition, no prize awaiting him at the end. There's just Dick and the wilderness...and it is more addicting to watch than any of the reality survival shows on tap today. When you examine the "making of" background of the movie, you realize that Dick didn't live a pure hermit life. He had a friend that would fly in supplies with his float plane when needed (once or twice a year) and his brother did come to visit from time to time. However, he was truly "alone in the wilderness" for sometimes months at a time, particularly in the dead of winter, and I came to greatly admire Dick and all those who could live that simply, alone with themselves and for that long, without going crazy. Dick Proenneke is among a handful of folk to ever achieve what most of us only dream of. His celluloid poem grants those of us who still dream that dream the opportunity and privilege of experiencing just a little of it thru the lens and poetic thoughts of this great and yet, simple man. Dick Proenneke is one of my all-time heroes. This one is a MUST SEE, for all of those who have heard that still small voice inside, calling you back to the wild and a simpler life. Oh, and bonus ... it is totally family friendly viewing.

Thomas Lothian The movie was interesting to say the least. I liked how he built all his own stuff using only his simple tools and ingenuity. He was able to build everything he ever needed. At the age of 50 he still had enough bluster to live by himself for 35 years in the cold Alaskan wilderness. He only took what he needed from the land and always had the lands best interest on his mind. He was so concerned about the land that he even felt guilty about cutting firewood. He is a master builder that inspired me. He even built his own hinges out of wood. But the most impressive thing he made was door handles and door locks for his door. THis is a very interesting movie that will capture the attention of any and all audiences. I highly recommend seeing this movie.Thomas Lothian and Jon Fortin

Chelsea Johnson Alan, Justtin and I found this movie to be slightly boring. We didn't feel that it kept my attention, but it's also not the type of movie that we prefer to watch. A man built his own cabin and lived in the wild for a long time. This movie was very uninteresting to us. I in particular, felt that it was monotonous. Justin felt that the movie "sucked". He also felt that "it was boring and very bland". Alan felt that the movie was "very uninteresting and didn't keep my interest very well." So overall, we felt that the movie was awful. Definitely not the best we've seen. I'd much rather watch a movie that has more action in it instead of a movie about an old man building his own cabin. This movie movie was awful!!! Never watching it again!!!!!!!!!!!

cknob-1 I watched this documentary during a PBS fund raising drive and I was instantly pulled into this remarkable story of natural beauty, individual strength and intimidating isolation. Proeneke's homespun narration is amusingly engaging ("...it was time to go fishing...for I was fish hungry...tomorrow is Sunday...I will go someplace"). The incredible physical challenge of building a shelter virtually from scratch with hand tools forces one to think about the modern conveniences we take for granted. For example, Dick hand sawed every board for his cabin...that means each plank 5 feet in length required him to saw through 5 feet of solid wood 8-10 inches thick, a feat he modestly describes as "...15 minutes of sawing and I had myself a nice board...". I wondered throughout this film how many of the construction challenges I would not be able to surmount because of the physical stamina required in the hand work. The construction of the cabin fireplace from lake stone and sand is nothing short of remarkable keeping Dick's cabin a "balmy 40 degrees" in the dead of an Alaskan winter.I found myself often asking why would someone want to do this? What part of modern society was so unappealing to him that he would want total isolation? Perhaps it was a combination of disgust for the rat race and Alaska's raw beauty that drew him to this remote place of natural wonder but I'm certain most of us would find the challenges he faced overwhelming regardless of the million dollar view from his cabin. A great documentary.