Product Details

• Directors: Chris Lott, Bill Bradbury
• Producers: Soul Focus Productions
• Format: Dolby, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: Unrated
• Studio: Soul Focus Productions
• DVD Release Date: May 1, 2007
• Run Time: 54 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000QSIZGM
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #92,770 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Documentaries have become an increasingly popular and powerful movie genre, with a variety of titles such as Super Size Me , Fahrenheit 9/11 Roger and Me , and Spellbound gaining both cult status and mass appeal. However, the special interests of runners have been largely neglected, and I ve been left wondering, Where s my running documentary? . My wait ended earlier this year with the release of Dancing the Bear: A 100-Mile Journey of Personal Exploration . Dancing the Bear , created by Soul Focus Productions, is a 54-minute documentary that closely chronicles the experience of two women, Kelly Bradbury and Mary Workman, attempting to complete the 2004 Bear 100 Endurance Run. The DVD weaves its story through a cohesive string of interviews supplemented by beautiful video footage of the race, the people, and landscape. The Bear 100 was founded in 1999, and traverses 100 miles of trails in southern Idaho's Bear River Mountain Range. The course climbs a cumulative total of 21061 feet in elevation, and participants have 35 hours to complete the endeavor. To even finish a race like this is an accomplishment shared by few. The film takes its viewers through the entire race journey, including all the physical and psychological stages of exaltation, fatigue, pain, doubt, and hope. As the race and the film progressed, I found myself wondering, Will Kelly and Mary finish? It was very easy to become engaged with movie s characters, story, and philosophies. As a marathoner and weekend-warrior trail-runner, I found this documentary to be both informative and inspiring. I never knew the nuts and bolts these grueling 100-mile ultra running events, but Dancing the Bear took me into the hearts and minds of the runners and of the race itself. The film captures both the highs and the lows of running, both the serenity and the bruised feet, both the exaltation of finishing and mid-race mind games. I recommend this movie for not just trail runners, but road runners and non-runners as well. Many of the themes and emotions presented in Dancing the Bear are universal to runners, whether their preferred surface is trail, road, or grass. It address the age-old questions of why people run, how running integrates with life, and what gives people the ability to endure pain and struggle on to a goal. The film should also appealing to non-runners, as it delves inside the relatively unknown world of ultra running, and demystifies much of what makes runners tick . I both identified with and was inspired by Dancing the Bear . In fact, this Saturday I am running my first long-distance trail race! --thefinalsprint.com

Product Description

The ancient tradition of long distance trail running continues in modern times, stripped of its mythology but still potent as a transformative event. The Bear 100-Mile Endurance Run is the backdrop for the story of two women and their emotional journey through southern Idaho's Bear River Mountain Range. Pushing their bodies to the limit, they strive to accomplish the impossible, to run 100 miles of wild mountain trails in less than 35 hours.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strength, June 3, 2007

By	Jason T. Heffner (Bend, OR USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Most people would never find the strength it takes to run a 100 mile race up and down mountains in a lifetime. I'm not a long distance runner / ultra-runner, but I do enjoy running. This film let me know what it would take to compete in such an intense endeavour. This documentary takes place in the beautiful Northen Utah mountains. The movie has interviws, and it cuts to the chase about what it takes to run the Bear. It covers the entire race, from early morning until the next. If you're a long distance runner that competes / or a jogger that wonders what it might take to be one, than this film is for you. It's the type of film one would expect to come across at a Banff Film Festival.
Deffinitley a worthwhile short film.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb documentary, inspirational, May 16, 2007

By	Paul A. Petersen - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a marathoner and occasional trail-runner, I found this documentary to be both informative and inspiring. I never knew what goes on during these grueling 100-mile ultra running events, but "Dancing the Bear" took me into the hearts and minds of both the runners and the race itself. It captures both the highs and the lows of running, both the serenity and the bruised feet, both the exaltation of finishing and mid-race mind games. Cool soundtrack too. I recommend this movie for not just trail runners, but road runners and non-runners as well, as it demystifies much of what makes runners "tick".

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for athletes, this film will inspire you to reach for your dreams, July 26, 2007

By	E. Newman "coffeegirl" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was sucked in from the opening moments of this film as the Native American music soothed my spirit and the pink clouds dancing over the mountain delighted my eyes. This movie is for everyone, not just athletes. The marathoners' quest unfolds and, along for the journey, we traverse the picturesque mountain beauty of southern Idaho and northern Utah. "Dancing the Bear" tells the story of human desire and inner strength as it showcases ultra marathoners pushing their bodies, minds and spirits to their limits and it will inspire anyone watching to get up, go forth and pursue your dreams.