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Big River Man

Play trailer Poster for Big River Man 2009 1h 40m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 33 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Martin Strel is followed as he attempts to swim 3,375 miles of the Amazon River.
Big River Man

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Critics Consensus

Big River Man offers uniquely absorbing insight into a larger-than-life eccentric.

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Critics Reviews

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Walter V. Addiego San Francisco Chronicle Strel is one strange duck, and you can only wonder that Werner Herzog, with his fondness for captivating weirdos, didn't get to him first. Rated: 3/4 May 27, 2010 Full Review Liam Lacey Globe and Mail An odd and irresistible documentary about Slovenian strongman Martin Strel and his quest, at 52, to be the first man to swim 5,268 kilometres of the Amazon River. Rated: 3/4 Dec 18, 2009 Full Review Manohla Dargis New York Times As his attention to detail and beauty shots prove, Mr. Maringouin has a terrific eye: he brings you close to Mr. Strel, sometimes within panting distance, without forgetting the larger, lovelier world. Rated: 4/5 Dec 4, 2009 Full Review Nikki Baughan Roll Credits As a piece of entertainment, and as a tribute to the achievements of this extraordinary individual, it's a riot. Rated: 4/5 Oct 25, 2019 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews It's clear almost instantly that Strel's life is, despite the breadth of his various accomplishments, simply not interesting enough to warrant a full-length feature... Rated: 1/4 Jul 22, 2011 Full Review Don Groves sbs.com.au Slovenia's 'fish man' pushes himself to the limit- and beyond. Rated: 4.0 Dec 29, 2010 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member FASCINATING! WELL DONE DOCUMENTARY OF A MOST EXTRAORDINARY MAN. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member How this is not a Herzog film is beyond me. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member bývalý gambler a sú?asný alkoholik pravidelne zajedajúc svoje plavecké výkony jedným, ?i dvoma horseburgermi spolo?ne so sovjím synom, diev?a?om pre vetko, v tomto rodinnom biznise a neskúseným, za pochodu sa u?iacim navigátorom na Amazonke - dokonale samovraedná komboúderka Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member An interesting documentary mainly because of its interesting subject, the man and the challenge. However I wish I got to hear more from Martin himself and not his son. The moments when Martin was speaking to the camera, I found him to inspirational and to clearly have a strong opinion about the things he cared about. I found myself wanting though afterwards. Also, at times the film felt very staged, and if this was supposed to come off as comedic then it succeeded but I wasn't quite sure that was the point. The cinematography was also supposed to be great, and at times it did have some wonderful images of nature, and the trip but as a whole it felt amateur. Overall though I return to my first point just wishing there was more of Martin. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member Interesting but badly directed. http://superchicken46.blogspot.ca/2012/11/big-river-man-2009-john-maringouin.html Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member Martin Strel is a Slovenian endurance swimmer who has conquered some of the longest and most polluted rivers in the world (the Danube, Yangtze, and Mississippi to date) in order to raise awareness of humanityâ(TM)s destructive influence on the environment. The documentary chronicles his attempt to swim the Amazon River, a feat which had not previously been accomplished. Strel is an intriguing character because he is an atypical athlete who drinks, eats badly, gambles, and teaches flamenco guitar. Martin Strel is a Slovenian endurance swimmer who has conquered some of the longest and most polluted rivers in the world (the Danube, Yangtze, and Mississippi to date) in order to raise awareness of humanityâ(TM)s destructive influence on the environment. Big River Man chronicles his attempt to swim the Amazon River, a feat which had not previously been accomplished. Strel is an intriguing character because he is an atypical athlete who drinks, eats badly, gambles, and teaches flamenco guitar. As Strel swims the Amazon, he suffers from parasites, high blood pressure, sun stroke (leading to second degree burns), and illness - both physical and mental. Part of his insanity seems to be the result of physical exhaustion, the rest due to the mental fatigue caused by swimming fifty miles daily. At times, Strel and his crew seem to lose their minds and act in very bizarre ways. The film is artificial in a way; a man is performing a ridiculous stunt and a director films it under the pretence that it is a documentary somehow relevant to our daily lives. Nevertheless, though Martin Strel is not representative of all humans, the emotions that he displays are something to which all can relate. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Big River Man

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Movie Info

Synopsis Martin Strel is followed as he attempts to swim 3,375 miles of the Amazon River.
Director
John Maringouin
Producer
Mickey Cottrell, Molly Hassell, Molly Lynch, John Maringouin, Roger M. Mayer
Production Co
Earthworks Films, Brooklyn Reptyle Productions
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (DVD)
Feb 23, 2010
Runtime
1h 40m