Deadly Passion - The Tragedy in Katmai

For thirteen summers Timothy Treadwell communed with the bears of Katmai National Park. Emerging from an addiction to drugs and alcohol Timothy escaped to the wilderness of Alaska, finding his salvation among the bears with whom he felt a close kindred spirit. A self proclaimed expert on bear behavior, he presented himself to the public as the protector of an “endangered species”, and became an over night celebrity flaunting videos of himself petting the bears.

On October 6, 2003 Timothy and his companion Amie Huguenard were mauled and partially eaten by the very bears they loved and sought to protect. The story unfolded in newspapers and magazines across the globe, reporting Treadwell’s passion for bears, delving into details of Treadwell’s life and outlining the personal choices that ultimately led to his death.

I have spent a lot of time in bear country, living among the bears, studying them and filming them for more than 25 years. They are fascinating animals that demand respect, but are extremely tolerant and accepting of humans if we just behave correctly around them.

Timothy Treadwell’s behavior around bears was a concern long before the tragedy on Katmai, not just for his own safety but because of the way he portrayed the bears to the public.  The best way to protect the bears is to teach people how to behave in bear country. Films of him walking among the grizzly, approaching them and even touching them inspired others to do the same. Bear attacks, injuries and killings presented by a zealous media generates confusion, fear and hatred. Treadwell’s passion for the bears was a deadly passion. His misguided approach to bridging the gap between humans and bears caused only harm to the animals he loved and dedicated his life to protect.

or contact David Kaplan for information on purchasing this film.

Pictures from the production of Deadly Passion

Packing the plane for the trip to Katmai.

Filming bears at Katmai

Interviews with wildlife biologist, Larry Van Daele (left) and 
cinematographer and friend of Timothy Treadwell, Joel Bennet (right).

Setting up electric fence 
around campsite at Katmai.

Bill Bacon making friends.

JAY HAMMOND’S DOCUMENTARY FILM REVIEW

“THE DOCUMENTARY FILM “DEADLY PASSION” COMMENDABLY STRIPS BOTH VARNISH AND HOLLYWOOD HYPE FROM OTHER FILM VERSIONS OF THE TRAGIC TIMOTHY TREADWELL SAGA. RATHER THAN AN ADMIRABLE, FEARLESS FRIEND OF THE SPECIES, DEADLY PASSION REVEALS TREADWELL AS A FOOLHARDY ROMANTIC WHOSE BLUNDERS LED NOT ONLY TO HIS AND A FRIEND’S GRUESOME DEATH, BUT COMPLETELY SHATTERS HIS PREMISE THAT BEARS CAN BE COUNTED ON TO RESPOND BENIGNLY TO NON-THREATNING HUMAN CONTACT.

  AS ONE WHO HAS HAD ONE CLOSE FRIEND AND TWO ACQUAINTANCES KILLED BY BEARS AND A HALF DOZEN OTHERS MAULED, IF THERE’S ONE THING I’VE LEARNED AFTER MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY SPENT IN BEAR COUNTRY IT IS THAT THESE MAGNIFICENT CARNIVORES  ARE PREDICTABLY UNPREDICTABLE.  THE FILM DEADLY PASSION SHOWS JUST THAT”.

  - Jay Hammond, FORMER GOVERNOR OF ALASKA

DOCUMENTARY FILM REVIEW BY CHRIS PALMER

  “TIMOTHY TREADWELL DIED SCREAMING IN AGONY WHEN AN ALASKAN BROWN BEAR MAULED, KILLED AND PARTIALLY ATE HIM. SOME PEOPLE HAVE TRIED TO MAKE HIM OUT TO BE A HERO. “DEADLY PASSION” IS AN IMPORTANT AND FASCINATING FILM BY DAVID KAPLAN AND STEFAN QUINTH THAT SHOWS THAT TREADWELL WAS NOT A HERO, BUT RATHER A WELL INTENTIONED FOOL WHO THOUGHT HE KNEW MORE THAN THE BEAR EXPERTS HE REFUSED TO LISTEN TO.  HOLLYWOOD HAS IT WRONG. KAPLAN AND QUINTH HAVE IT RIGHT.  “DEADLY PASSION” IS A MUST SEE FILM THAT EXAMINES THIS CONTROVERSIAL TRAGEDY”.

Chris Palmer, Former President & CEO, National Wildlife Productions
Director, Center for Environmental Filmmaking
School of Communication, American University
Washington, DC

  Contact Chris Palmer:  Email: palmer@american.edu

DOCUMENTARY FILM REVIEW BY NICK JANS

“DEADLY PASSION IS AN ACCURATE, UNFLINCHING EXPLANATION OF THE TIMOTHY TREADWELL TRAGEDY.  THIS FILM CUTS THROUGH THE TANGLE OF HUMAN EMOTION TO FOCUS WITH ADMIRABLE CLARITY ON WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE TO PREVENT THESE NEEDLESS DEATHS – TWO HUMANS AND TWO BEARS.  THIS FILM IS ESSENTIAL VIEWING FOR ANYONE INTERESTED IN THE UNVARNISHED TRUTH OF THE TREADWELL TRAGEDY”.

Nick Jans, Author of “The Grizzly Maze”

Contact Nick Jans:  Email: njans@gci.net