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If a Tree Falls: a Story of the Earth Liberation Front

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If a Tree Falls: a Story of the Earth Liberation Front

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Summary

A rare behind-the-curtain look at the Earth Liberation Front, the radical environmental group that the FBI calls America's 'number one domestic terrorist threat.'

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Review

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Jack Seale

Marshall Curry and Sam Cullman's Oscar-nominated documentary reveals the inner politics and motives of the Earth Liberation Front, an American activist group dubbed "eco-terrorists" after they burnt down a series of environmentally unfriendly business HQs. Founded on interviews with ELF member Daniel McGowan, filmed as he awaited his 2007 trial, it's a fascinating and, ultimately, thrilling and moving tale of young idealists turning to crime and almost outfoxing the authorities, but then imploding as remorse ate them away. The film deftly paints in shades of grey: the ELF's strict policy of not harming people is contrasted with the police's brutal handling even of innocuous demonstrations, and the point is made that, if ever a cause might make you condone tactics as extreme as the ELF's, looming environmental catastrophe could be it. Yet, it asks difficult questions of activists who object to what the wider electorate has apparently condoned, convinced they'll one day be seen as heroes.

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7.1/10

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Credits

Crew

rolenameDirectorMarshall CurryDirectorSam Cullman

Details

Languages

English

Guidance

Violence.

Formats

Colour

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