The Naturalist 2001
Distributed by High Plains Films, PO Box 8796, Missoula, Montana 59807; 406-543-6726
Produced by High Plains Films
Directed by Doug Hawes-Davis
VHS, color, 32 min.
Sr. High - Adult
Biology, Environmental Studies
Date Entered: 11/09/2018
Reviewed by Christy Caldwell, Science Librarian, University of California, Santa CruzKent Bonar has been described as the John Muir or Aldo Leopold of our time. He lives with his hunting dogs in the Ozarks devoting himself to describing and studying the biota of his surroundings. His philosophy is the main subject of this documentary. The film is organized by what can be described as "friends of Kent"(they remain unnamed) describing Mr. Bonar, and conversations with Mr. Bonar himself. There is no central narrator.
While Kent Bonar is a unique and interesting subject, the usefulness of this video as a teaching tool is questionable. At 32 minutes in length, it barely scratches the surface of who Kent Bonar is or why the Ozarks are so extraordinary.
Despite this reservation, the video is still recommended, especially for biology or environmental science/studies collections. Mr. Bonar certainly has endearing statements such as "learning is a lifetime pursuit" and "ride anything faster than horse speed and lose reality of the landscape." The film quality and cinematography are excellent, and watching it was a peaceful and refreshing experience. It may serve to begin discussions about environmentalism, or the importance of not only taking inventory of organisms, but also studying how those organisms interact with one another (what Mr. Bonar refers to as, "seeing the connections beyond the names").