Project Grizzly

Project Grizzly, released in 1996, is a peculiar, insightful, and surprisingly gripping documentary film that follows the passionate endeavours of Canadian inventor Troy Hurtubise. Directed by Peter Lynch, the film is an odd blend of seriosity and absurdity, making for a viewing experience that truly sticks with you. The narrative of Project Grizzly revolves around Hurtubise's unusual vision - to sequentially engineer a suit designed to withstand a grizzly bear attack. Hurtubise, an eccentric character larger than life, creates a narrative that is simultaneously laugh-inducing, astonishing, and deeply human.

Famed Canadian journalist Peter Gzowski lends his unique voice as the narrator of Project Grizzly, bringing an in-depth understanding of the subject matter with a good dose of humour. The rather unorthodox concept macroscopically studies the interconnectedness of art, technology, nature, and the peculiarly human instinct for survival. The film, in essence, is a unique exploration of Hurtubise’s relentless grit, his determination, and a certain naiveté that borders on obsession as he goes about realizing his bizarre aspiration.

The opening scenes of the film introduce us to Hurtubise, a hero of his own narrative, who has an unusual fascination with one of nature’s most formidable creatures – the grizzly bear. The documentary details his real-life encounter with a grizzly bear during a trek in the Rocky Mountains that nearly cost him his life, catalysing his personal mission to create a suit capable of preventing such frightful encounters turning fatal for humans.

As the movie proceeds, we observe Hurtubise tirelessly labor over his invention "the Ursus Mark VI", a homemade suit that looks more akin to Robocop's armour than a device designed for survival in the wilderness. Audiences are invited to witness the spectacle of his innovation. It is during these scenes we begin to realize the extraordinary dedication and relentless pursuit Hurtubise pours into developing and testing his brainchild, at the expense of almost everything else, making for incredibly engaging watching.

Affected by insufficient funds, scepticism from bear experts, and ridicule from the public, Hurtubise perseveres. Viewers follow along with a mixture of trepidation and admiration as he subjects himself to a medley of drastic tests – from getting rammed with logs and tackling fire to getting hit by a moving truck – to prove the ruggedness and resilience of the suit. The raw and unfiltered depiction of these trials makes parts of the film quite intense to watch, offering a potent mixture of suspense, intrigue, and comedy.

Underneath all the ironclad testing, Hurtubise emerges as an incorrigible dreamer. His passion transcends the absurdity of the premise, and his endearing personality, tinged with eccentricity, is exceedingly compelling. It brings to the fore a side of human psychology, where obsession to a cause can override the most practical considerations of life and descend into a single-minded pursuit.

The cinematography of Project Grizzly is superb, with beautifully filmed landscapes creating a sharp contrast with the brutal and intense testing sequences. The film does not merely stay confined to the pursuits of Hurtubise. It subtly reflects upon the human intrusion on wildlife habitats and questions our untenable relationship with nature. The film also provides a commentary on the dichotomy between the urban and the untamed wilderness, through Hurtubise, a man straddling both worlds.

Project Grizzly is quite unlike any "nature" documentary you might have seen before. Its heart lies in the personality, eccentricities, and unbelievable commitment of Troy Hurtubise. In highlighting his bizarre pursuit, the film presents exemplary facets of human resilience, innovation, and passion, served with measurable doses of humour and heart.

In summation, Project Grizzly is a unique cinematic experience. It not only provides entertainment but also provokes thought about humanity's relationship with nature and the extents to which one man's obsession can lead. It's an exploration of the blurred boundaries of eccentricity and ingenuity, unveiling a story of an intense personal journey that is not to be missed.