I just rented this on DVD.
Treadwell knew he was putting himself in danger, knew he'd probably be killed at some point. Other people told him that he was a fool and warned him.
Obviously the guy had a lot of "issues".
I guess the interesting thing is that he did learn a lot about griz behavior, and was able to use it for 13 seasons of filming while keeping himself alive.
Werner Herzog did a great job with the documentary (he's a renowned German filmmaker). About half the film is Treadwell's own footage from the wilderness, alone with bears and talking to his camera. The other half is Herzog interviewing people who were close to Treadwell (both critics and fans). I was relieved that Herzog didn't include the attack audio in the film, although he did let Treadwell's ex-girlfriend listen to it, which sent her into tears.
There are also a few surprises which I won't reveal, showing that Treadwell wasn't everything he seemed, and often very conscious of his cult status.
Herzog generally treats Treadwell with respect, but in his inimitable filmmaking style he leaves you shaking your head at the folly of Treadwell's enterprise, recognizing that it's flawed and doomed, yet deserving some kind of respect for its audacity.
A very decent film.
I loved this film and I even enjoyed Treadwell in it. The guy was a riot!
I especially loved the scene with him running in front of the fox, and also the ones where he would redo the takes because he fell or something.
I thought the one where he apparently smacked the grizzly on the nose or face was incredible, and then scolded it as it walked away. "Don't You Do that!!"