During the off-season, he meets Anahareo (Annie Galipeau) during a ceremonial dance he and his Indian brothers perform to make some extra money. Anahareo is an Indian by descent, but town-raised and unaware of how Indians live in nature. She convinces Archie to take her to the Indian village that adopted him, and show her around, which is the start of their relationship, and later on, she accompanies him during the winter months as he hunts and traps to survive.

Directed by Richard Attenborough, Grey Owl's two hours is divided into two main sections. The first hour exposes the viewer to a myriad of the wonders of nature as we accompany Grey Owl as he hunts and traps. This also fleshes out the relationship between Anahareo and Grey Owl and brings up the conflict in Grey Owl's life – if he continues to trap and hunt beaver, will they become extinct? Is trapping what he really wants to do? The second hour answers these questions, and delves more into who Grey Owl really is, what he stands for, and his relationships not only with Anahareo, but with the Indian people.

Picture:
Grey Owl is presented in its theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 in anamorphic widescreen. The picture is remarkable – the scenery is terrific, as this is mostly an outdoors movie – and nature is presented in its full splendor. I couldn't detect any artifacts in the picture, although there is some very slight edge enhancement.

Sound:
Grey Owl presents the viewer with a few options for sound - Dolby Digital Surround 5.1 in English or English Dolby Surround (although the disc defaults to 5.1). The DD 5.1 was very well done. Although the film is dialogue heavy, the surround shines when needed, as during the Indian dances, when Grey Owl hunts, etc.

Extras:
This DVD comes through with loads of extras. You get two audio commentaries, one by the director, and one by producer Jake Eberts. Both offer a fascinating look at the making of the film, and although some things are repeated, they're both worth listening too. You also get two making of featurettes, which contain video clips and interviews with Pierce Brosnan, Jake Eberts, Richard Attenborough, and others. You're also treated to two vintage short films with the real Grey Owl from 1934 and 1936, which are quite interesting. The theatrical and teaser trailers are also present, along with chapter stops, motion menus, and a trivia game. If you have a DVD-ROM, you'll have access to the biography of Grey Owl, the option to read the script, and excerpts from "The Making of Richard Attenborough's Grey Owl," an illustrated book.

Summary:
Grey Owl is a fantastic movie, and I can't recommend it highly enough - its message to preserve nature and protect its inhabitants is quite powerful. Archie Grey Owl is a complex character vividly portrayed by Brosnan, who does an excellent job bringing him and his ideals back to the forefront during a time of mass consumerism and the widespread destruction of our environment. If not for the message, you owe it to yourself to at least experience this extraordinary DVD for the remarkable visuals this movie presents.