Review of If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front (2011) by Mace R — 12 Mar 2012

A good documentary can make you at least open your mind briefly to almost any point of view, and if a Tree Falls is a good documentary.

I have never aligned myself with any causes even remotely associated with hippies, as, to quote Eric Cartman "They say they want to save the Earth, but all they do is smoke pot and smell bad". The ELF is a fascinating group, as they successfully militarized themselves, and struck severe blows against their enemies through utter destruction of property.

Whether you agree with the cause or not, the documentary fully engages you to the point that your mind begins to open and you maybe reassess your world view a little bit more.

Then, in a brilliant move, it shows how all actions have consequences, as the net tightens around the ELF members several years after their crimes, and you get to reassess (or return to) your train of thought again.

I found myself wildly swinging in opinion from siding with the protesters, to admiring the ELF, to lamenting it's fall, to sort of returning to my original standpoint when they debate the definition of the word terrorist at the end. Th fact that the movie follows around one pretty likeable guy, and shows his highs and lows really adds a nice emotional attachment that helps the movie flow.

Recommend!