Sweetgrass (2010)

I know a lot of people say this documentary uses the raw filming to tell the story, but it's just too bland. What they could have done was interviewed the cowboys more. Had them show us how they do some of the basic things involved in the scenes. Instead we're stuck watching for nearly 5 minutes straight as a sheep sits there, then is dragged to a separate pen, then the farmer stands there and just looks a while, then drags the sheep a little more. I mean this is not good film work at all. It's boring plain and simple. A lot of the movie is like this. And you will see the o so genius critics rave about it (while they give movies like The Shining, Fight Club, and Sucker Punch horrible reviews). So understand critics are very susceptible to group think while they also like to pretend they see something you don't (when many times they miss the obvious while thinking they're so awesome). So the movie is slow, poorly made, and horribly edited. But what makes it not matter is the scenery and the fact that you're watching an actual sheep drive.

I grew up not far from Big Timber, Montana and the wilderness area where the film was shot is my favorite place on earth. I also love documentaries. With that said, I was surprised I did not like this film at all. I gave it two stars because of the scenery. I am in the minority opinion with regards to the "pure art" of this film. I found it extremely dry and boring. With the exception of the excellent scenery and good camera work, the rest of the film truly stinks. I really can't say enough bad things about it. I wish I didn't have to continue writing more details about how bad the film was, but IMDb has a ten line minimum.

and call it beautiful, then I can see enjoying this film. Yes, it is well done....The camera work is really wonderful. What I'm not seeing is how this is anything but what it should be, an anti wool clothing piece. Good god, they abuse the sheep with shears and send them stripped into the snowy winter. Not a single scene where these guys treat any of these animals with respect.Sorry, I'm actually watching it right now, and I understand there is ignorance at play, but these are horrible human beings.Enjoy the "Magnificent... Wonderful... Astonishingly beautiful..." "Nature overwhelms the screen and even minds."Really?

Have disagree with the reviewer who said this was not an accurate portrayal of sheep and shepherds. There are different management practices and this movie depicted one of them. These folks shear in late winter and lamb in the spring. Shearing before lambing is done for several reasons--less moisture in the barn from long, wet wool; easier for the lambs to find the udder when it isn't buried in wool. In my experience with sheep, I've found that ewes definitely find their lambs both by sound and by smell. That's why they are put in small pens, called jugs, for a day or so after lambing so that they can bond and learn to recognize each other's unique sound and smell. That's why the ewes will reject any lamb that doesn't smell or sound like their own. I thought the movie was beautifully filmed and accurately showed the hard and sometimes frustrating work that goes into managing a large range flock.