Such a frustrating disappointment

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

This is a story of a man who first transforms himself into what he dreams to be – the kind of life he wants to live, and then is further transformed by a woman who commits herself to him. As I see it, this movie is not merely a biography of Archie Grey Owl, but more so of a relationship that transforms him from a trapper into a conservationist and writer. Pony, who befriends him and becomes his wife, lights up the 'eco' consciousness within him so as to make him stop killing the beavers ("You must stop this work. It is killing your spirit as well as mine.") and instead becomes a protector of wildlife by championing the cause of conservation of the ecological system by writing about it. The sequences about the two beaver kits that were saved by Pony after Archie has killed their mother are moving scenes. Pony looks after them and they grow up virtually as part of the family for it is their presence that makes Archie turn away from trapping any more beavers. (The interested viewer may want to check what finally happens about the pair of beavers – (spoiler) and that it is the saddest part of the entire story.) There is another shadow that hangs over Archie, and that is his past, his identity by birth, which he wants to conceal for whatever psychological reasons – one of them being that he loathes the life of the civilized man. It is only a matter of time before someone finds out, and when it is out after his death, the 'civilized' world is outraged at the 'deception'. I would have thought that these 'civilized' people would have been proud of him, and appreciate the joke played on them by the powers that be. As the Indian Chief 'sees' the joke, and has a good laugh at it, the others present also intuit this joke, including Grey Owl, the shadow that hangs over him is lifted. The Chief then makes a remark that epitomizes the life of Grey Owl: "Men become what they dream. You have dreamed well." That scene is the climax of the film, which also lifts the otherwise somber mood. Fairly good overall acting by all the cast, especially Brosnan if one can suspend the 'Bond' image of him. The more complex character of Anahareo (Pony) would always have been a difficult one to portray, but I feel it is good enough, though it could have been better. Compact and comprehensive script, brilliant cinematography, makes it a must watch film for the 'pilgrim of the wild'.

I was bored a lot of the time at first, but once Archie/Grey Owl discovered his new career the movie improved a lot. The speeches by Grey Owl were the best part of the movie, but it was clear he didn't like being put on display like a sideshow freak. Still, Grey Owl played the part, showing the Indian that people expected. I liked the scenes where Archie reunited with those who raised him.Although animals were shown being hurt or killed, much was left to the imagination. There was nothing graphic, although some people might be upset by the scenes. A deer falls after a gunshot, but of course we all know it was trained to do so. Other violence is just assumed. Grey Owl saw a fox or wolf in distress, swung a weapon of some kind, and in the next scene carried a dead animal. Beyond this, there is nothing offensive. Not unless you want political correctness, which wasn't to be found in the 1930s.Pierce Brosnan did an outstanding job, and so did many of the actors playing "Red Indians", as the movie called them numerous times. Actually, I could say "Native American" because the name was first given to the two continents, of which Canada is a part. Annie Galipeau was good for the most part, but she didn't do anger very well, in my opinion. And she seemed kind of stiff so much of the time. In other scenes, she was adorable.There was plenty of great scenery, and lots of good wildlife shots. There wasn't a lot of what sounded like Native American influence in the background music.This is a good movie for anyone wanting to learn more about Native American culture (including what I assume were authentic dances), and for anyone interested in preserving nature.

Here, on IMDb.com I read an opinion, that Grey Owl is best character of Pierce Brosnan ever performed. I do not know if he had better nor worse roles, I'm not his fan, but this one was really exceptional.The other thing - impressive hand of the movie director. I give my respect. The serenity, the beauty and spirit of wilderness was illustrated really exlusively, I never met such proximity it in any movie before.Another thing left in my mind after the film - this is the movie, closest to the original books, and atmosphere in it. And little bit more. I pay my respect to the original Grey Owl.

This film was made in Saskatchewan and Manitoba Parks and returned the world eye again to what little of the "Wild Western Canada" is left. When Archie began to write his stories for the papers; the thought of the day was to tame the wilderness and convert/absorb the First Nation Peoples.The film puts forward and asks the question; why would a well-educated, obviously talented Englishman become an Indian? Archie, as an English boy dreams about becoming something but grasping the full meaning of that dream is unique and priceless - no mater what it is. Sounds like a famous puppet story doesn't it. In my opinion, I saw Archie become my living image of the "Cigar store Indian" a very wooden character and not real at all - very well done acting on the part of Mr. Brosnan. He also portrayed the wild Indian in the dance scene for the tourist. The fullness and or reality of it weren't realized till he met and married his wife, Annie. Annie pushed Archie in a direction that would bring him to the forefront of the Englishman's world stage, not as himself but Grey Owl -an Canadian Native of the wilderness frontier. This is the closest Archie get to becoming the noble savage prototype. Mr. Brosnan's interpretation as well as the directors is both well done. I have watched documentaries on Grey Owl and I think this is a good big screen movie to add to my collection.Spoiler - I thought the final scenes with Archie going to meet the Grand Council of Chiefs was a great a great moment in the film. Very beautiful Canadian lake scenery and real "Grey Owl" locations.