Tread

Tread is a riveting 2020 documentary film that unravels one man's life-changing mission that touched an entire community. The film is constructed around the extraordinary tale of Marvin Heemeyer and brings to life the story of a remarkable individual who found himself embroiled in a heated confrontation with the local government and citizens of the hillside town of Granby, Colorado. The film stars Marvin Heemeyer as himself, with the supporting cast comprising Patrick Brower and Glenn Trainor Jr.

The film traces Heemeyer's exceedingly complex path, a welder and automotive mechanic by trade, whose personal diaries, audiotapes, and eyewitness interviews help to construct a complete narrative of his experiences. Tread invites its audience into the intricate web of interactions and actions that eventually led Heemeyer to engage in a drastic and shocking bulldozer rampage through the town on June 4, 2004.

Heemeyer relocated from Colorado to South Dakota during the late 1990s, intending to live a peaceful life away from city chaos. His plans took an unexpected turn when he purchased a piece of land on which he would operate his muffler shop. Heemeyer's escalating tensions with the local authorities ensued from a zoning dispute, marking the start of his life's course-altering events. While the local government and many residents saw the growth of industry and commerce as an economic boon, Heemeyer saw city bureaucracy as an unjust obstacle to his livelihood.

Tread relies heavily on Heemeyer's recounting of events and perspectives, which emerged from tapes Heemeyer recorded before the dramatic incident. Hosted by Patrick Brower, the local newspaper editor who covered the unfolding conflict, the film presents viewers with an examination of Heemeyer's descent into frustration that would eventually lead to that fateful day in Granby, aptly titling it "The Killdozer Rampage."

Director Paul Solet skilfully layers the film with a mixture of recreations, interviews, and actual footage, providing a cogent narrative without losing sight of the overall subject matter. He nicely balances perspectives by including interviews with local law enforcement officers, friends of Heemeyer, and community members who have varying viewpoints on the situation that unfolded. By including interviews with Patrick Brower, the viewers are allowed to contrast Brower's thoughts and experiences with the city of Granby and its officials to Heemeyer's views.

Solet doesn't pass judgement on Heemeyer, instead providing a balanced narrative that allows the audience to form their own opinion on the matters at hand. The documentary seeks to provide insight and provoke thought, rather than simply presenting good versus evil.

The film isn’t just an exploration of Heemeyer's mindset and the events leading up to that explosive act of defiance; it expansively explores the themes of municipal politics, land use, and individual rights. These elements provide a socio-political context that paints a broader picture of Heemeyer's struggles, making the film both a personal storytelling arc and a commentary on broader societal issues.

Tread holds viewers captive through its recollection of events, keeping them emotionally engaged and suspenseful even though they are aware of the inevitable conclusion. The film’s pacing cleverly constructs anticipation that increases as events tumble towards an inescapably heavy climax.

One of Tread's great strengths is in its humanization of Marvin Heemeyer. The man behind the 'Killdozer' is revealed to be more than just a man who took drastic measures against his perceived injustices; he was also a friend, a worker, and a part of a community.

On all fronts, Tread is a compelling and naturalistic portrayal of a man driven beyond his limits through a series of bureaucratic failures and personal frustrations. It is a film that invites audience introspection on the delicate balances of justice, personal rights, and community welfare.

Incredibly immersive in its storytelling and visually captivating, Tread offers a starkly vivid examination of an average human pushed to extraordinary measures. It is a documentary peppered with drama and tension, an engaging film that will not only entertain but also provoke a thoughtful examination of societal structures, personal frustration, and the concept of justice at large. As an exploration of human resilience and defiance, and a startling dive into the impacts of bureaucracy, Tread leaves a powerful impression long after the end credits roll.