MovieChat Forums > Grizzly Man (2005) Discussion > Audio scene

Audio scene

posted 9 years ago by DrTomatoe
23 replies | jump to latest

Some thoughts about the scene in which Herzog listens to the tape of the bear attack.

Some say it's tasteless, some love it. I personally think that Herzog demonstrates what kind of filmmaker he is. Because that's what he is. A filmmaker.

Instead of telling us in voice-over why he decided not to include the last piece of material recorded, he shows himself making that decision at that precise moment. After that, and perhaps only after I'd seen that, is that I didn't want to listen to it. Any other way it might have been drama-speculation. In showing the woman's reaction, I thought to myself "Wow, I wanted to hear that, but now I don't". That, to me, is brilliant guiding, and a key role for a filmmaker.

Just some thoughts.

[–] midnightowlgirl 9 years ago

Agreed!

I did not think about if I did or did not want to hear it while watching it, and the woman's reaction was enough for me also.

[–] krb221 9 years ago

Well said. That was certainly a powerful scene, and great film-making.

[–] ianmisc 8 years ago

Herzog is a douchebag.
"I have a tape of your ex lover being eaten by a bear. Do u want to hear it? "

Then after she cries or whatever he acts all dominant acts like a white night and tells her not to listen to it. Its like he set it up to try to get in her pants. What a douche!

[–] mariakelly-04164 7 years ago

She was the one who asked Herzog to listen to the tape because she had not heard it. She asked if she should listen to it or not.

Herzog listended to it and told her that under no circumstances should she listen to it and in fact told her to destroy the tape. And as far as I can tell, she never did.

[–] mariakelly-04164 7 years ago

Correction: As far I can tell, she has never listented to the tape.

[–] Stratego (29244) 5 years ago

That's exactly how it is. Herzog is an attention whore, he clearly enjoyed having the power of knowing what was on that tape.

[–] twinA (4826) 5 years ago

He knows people will want to ask him what's on it.

~~/o/

[–] Stratego (29244) 5 years ago

No doubt he likes that idea, but he should not have inserted himself into the story like that.

[–] twinA (4826) 5 years ago

What's his excuse? "I want to be an indie actor" Pff!

~~/o/

[–] twinA (4826) 5 years ago

It barely works for Quentin Tarantino for that matter too depending on who you ask.

~~/o/

[–] Stratego (29244) 5 years ago

You mean when he acts in his own movies?

[–] twinA (4826) 5 years ago

Yes, precisely. Tries too hard to be cool it's lame. Almost pandering even if it's his movies.

~~/o/

[–] Stratego (29244) 5 years ago

I really like his early movies, but very much dislike his later work. He's not a good actor, you're right about that.

[–] twinA (4826) 5 years ago

Of his, I've only seen 'Pulp Fiction' and the 'Kill Bill' films so I'm no authority on his filmography.

What do you think makes the difference?

Most of the time, screen time other than the actors is either a publicity stunt, done out of boredom, or someone simply having too much time on their hands, having fun.

I could see a director cameo working if it's part of joke or a running gag (like Mel Brooks), but if it feels forced, the only joke is that person thinking their appearance warrants something that everyone should see.

~~/o/

[–] Stratego (29244) 5 years ago

In Pulp Fiction I believe the role was actually intended for Steve Buscemi, but since he was unavailable, he took on the part himself.

Don't know why he played a role in Reservoir Dogs, which is one of my favourite movies. Could be because of the budget. I think he was entertaining, but his acting was not good so it was a good thing he wasn't in it that much.

[–] twinA (4826) 5 years ago

Cool to hear he's a least practical about it. The other guy is too opportunistic. Seems the film industry has a lot of self-absorbed people, more so than usual. In your honor, I'll watch Reservoir Dogs for the first time this year.

~~/o/

[–] Stratego (29244) 5 years ago

Don't blame me if you don't like it!😁

[–] twinA (4826) 5 years ago

Why, is it love it or hate it?

~~/o/

[–] Stratego (29244) 5 years ago

No, just covering my own ass.😜

[–] twinA (4826) 5 years ago

Even if I do like it, I'm going to tell you I didn't. That way, I get a two-way trip to your basement.

And if I really don't like it, I still get a two-way trip to your basement.

A win-win. Sound fair? (^o^)

~~/o/

[–] Stratego (29244) 5 years ago

That's also a win-win for me!😘

[–] maul (1530) 5 years ago

Precisely, he would never suggest she delete the tape before he heard it himself. Probably gives him the warm fuzzies, knowing he's one of the privileged few to hear that death tape... and he wanted to keep it that way.

[–] andreaahr (2332) 5 years ago

I think the doctor that did the autopsy listened to the tape because he described what was on the tape. I remember he said Amy looked out the tent and watched the bear and said to Timothy "Is he still out there"? Then he said the bear entered the tent and Amy was screaming and so was Timothy then the bear started attacking him. The bear left the tent and Amy was still screaming. The bear came back and started to attack Timothy again; that's all I remember him saying about it...