Product Details

• Actors: Michael Thomas Daniel
• Directors: Michael Thomas Daniel
• Format: Color, Digital Sound, NTSC
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Number of discs: 1
• Studio: Barking Harley Productions
• DVD Release Date: May 5, 2005
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000A5N4GW
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #275,024 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

"Walking With Freedom" covers the ups and downs as well as the hardships and joys of Michael Daniel's 2,173-mile hike along the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine over a six-month period. The documentary introduces viewers to the eclectic, hiking subculture as well as highlighting some of the backpackers who take the extensive walk. "This film isn't just for hikers or backpackers; It's for anyone that loves freedom and the outdoors," Daniel says. From encounters with the wildlife (including some wild hikers) that roam the Appalachians to the wild flowers and the beauty of its highest peaks on the East Coast, this film is an emotional, scenic journey that will move any viewer. Scripted to an amazing soundtrack of original music - some tracks created specifically for the project – viewers are immersed in the experience of virtually hiking the most famous trail in the world.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely the *most* accurate and entertaining AT Documentary, November 9, 2005

By 

Wyatt P McGuire (Brogue, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Walking With Freedom (DVD)

I'm an AT thru-hiker, having completed the same journey "Lion King" did, although I hiked in 2005.

Before my hike, I purchased both "2000 Miles to Maine" and "Trek". While I enjoyed both of those films, I have to say that Walking with Freedom gets a higher ranking than both of them in my opinion. As much as I enjoy "Trek", it tells the story of a group of hikers who stuck together for almost the entire hike and also hiked in an unusually fast time, both of which are rare as far as AT hikes go. 2000 Miles to Maine, although its heart is in the right place, skips HUGE sections of the trail, and I thought, generally lacked continuity.

I first saw Walking with Freedom while I was on the trail, and I immediately took a liking to it because it was what I was hoping for from the other two films. Lion King's hike was very similar to not only mine, but to a large majority of AT thru-hikes. The movie has a "flow" to it, with some of the major "attractions" of the AT as bricks and a some great hiking footage set to an amazing soundtrack as the mortar.

One thing I particularly enjoyed about this film was the way it portrayed the "ups and downs" of thru-hiking. Some people have complained about the "partying" scenes in the film. But an AT documentary without a few scenes of the classic hiker parties would definitely be largely incomplete. Regardless, these scenes are tame enough that most teens wouldn't even blink twice.

The best way I can describe the power of this film is to describe its showing at "Trail Days", the annual Appalachian Trail festival in Damascus, VA. Before the film began, more hikers and hiking enthusiasts had packed the auditorium than I've ever seen before. Hikers especially were not only in the prearranged chairs, but on the floor, knee to knee and shoulder to shoulder with each other providing an odor that was truly unforgettable. As the film progressed through the states, hikers would excitedly whisper to each other at several key points, and downright explode into laughter or applause at several points. Ultimately at the end of the film there was a standing ovation that lasted quite some time.

I had figured that my appreciation of this film would be lost on non-hikers, but much to my surprise my mother as well as her friends, most of which think nature and camping are "icky", also love this film. It's definitely worth owning.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Best I've seen on this topic, September 11, 2006

By 

Hopfrog "Hopfrog" (Las Vegas) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Walking With Freedom (DVD)

I thru-hiked in '02 (Hopfrog) and have seen a few of the videos out there. I feel this one does the best job of capturing what its like out there on the AT. At one point Lion King seems to have an epiphany and speaks to the camera about how wonderful his experience is and how it fixes ya. Its worth viewing for that moment alone as he really captured the feeling a lot of us got hit with out there. I did feel the film taper off towards the end and it seemed to me that Lion King was getting more into "hiking his hike" than making a film. I can certainly understand that. If your looking for a video that will give you a feel for what it is like out there, I'd highly recommend this film.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Add this to your library, January 3, 2006

By 

TinMan (Springfield Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Walking With Freedom (DVD)

I've read several books on the AT. Also watch Trek and 2000 miles to main. This is the best of the videos. Although the others were still great. You get a good look at the variety on the trail. The people, relationships, the wilderness, the isolation, etc. The author does a great job at giving equal time to all sections of the trail. Based on viewing this DVD I've changed some of my gear for my own 2006 thru hike starting this April.