The Last Keeper

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2:25

The Last Keeper

2024

1h 30m

Documentary

History

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

57%

Tomatometer

7 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Scotland's history is romanticized for centuries of bloody feuds, warfare and forced displacement. In the glens today there is unfinished business, fueled by modern agendas; well-meaning rewilders, urban land reformers and distant corporates plundering carbon markets. Reminiscent of the Highland Clearances of the past, indigenous communities are increasingly an inconvenience for the urban political class and their vision of progress. The targets are farmers, gamekeepers, ghillies, and deer stalkers whose families have been working the land, in some cases, for centuries. The land provides jobs and wages which they use to buy food and pay bills; keep families living in small communities filling local schools with children; and providing active wildlife and habitat management. It's a war for control, a class warfare where traditional wildlife conservation may become as much a victim as the fragile rural communities themselves. The Highland Clearance was a thing of the past but is cultural genocide a part of the future? The answer is echoing through the Glen.

Loren King

Loren King

Opre’s sweeping shots of the highlands, with deer gathered on hills and in glens and wild birds soaring overhead, visually conveys the majesty of the region and why there are disparate, often at-odds, efforts to preserve and enjoy it.

Nov 24, 2024

Full Review

Matthew Turner

Action Reloaded

It’s difficult to imagine the film appealing to anyone who doesn’t already have a vested interest in the Scottish Highlands.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 6, 2024

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Lapacazo Magrira Sandoval

New York Amsterdam News

A compelling exploration of Scotland's ongoing land use conflicts, set against the backdrop of its rich history and stunning natural beauty.

Jul 30, 2024

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Roger Catlin

rogercatlin.com

Eventually, it’s clear that, however handsomely shot, “The Last Keeper” has a pro-hunting lodge intent that also seems to be keeping some of the full picture of this perceived problem away from us.

Jul 24, 2024

Full Review

Shikhar Verma

High on Films

Intermittently, the director himself appears in the documentary, filling in the gaps between the two sides. However, his narration is so bizarrely placed and full of ChatGPT-generated text that it becomes difficult to take any of it seriously.

Jul 17, 2024

Full Review

Tony Asankomah

GhMovieFreak

Its complex subject matter and detailed exploration of land disputes require a level of engagement and interest that might be challenging for some.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 3, 2024

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Charles M

I was hoping for an unbiased review of the arguments. The presenter clearly had an agenda from the outset, using emotive music to predispose the viewer, presenting half-arguments, and aggressively questioning only one side of the dispute over Highland land use. I think paying to view this so-called documentary is a complete waste of money.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

09/10/24

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Eoghain M

Totally unbiased but quite sad to watch

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/01/24

Full Review

julia m

I am so disappointed as I paid for it but don’t appear to have had any information for accessing it. Would welcome some help. Not sure who to contact. Thank you

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/25/24

Full Review

Gavin B

Some lovely footage of the Scottish highlands, nice score. Not really any kind of examination of the issues around land ownership and use in Scotland though, came across as an advert for the hunting/shooting industry. Although different sides of the arguments surrounding land ownership and use were presented, giving perhaps a veneer of impartiality, it quickly became clear that only the land owners/agents views and that of the hunting/shooting industry were supported. One of the main contributors from an environmental conservation viewpoint got off fairly lightly with questions and scenarios put to them, the other main contributor from that viewpoint didn't fare so well with what came across as somethying of a personal; attack on their viewpoint. In fact, their point made in the trailer I saw didn't make it into the film itself iirc which may have done something to pull the skew somewhat towards impartiality (although would still be miles off) - at least it might, just might, give the viewer food for thought. Best of luck to the production team in any conservation work they do but I fear their loyalties are all too evident here

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/28/24

Full Review

Adam O

I heard about this through a few podcasts and was looking forward to an opportunity to watch it. I feel it really covered all the stakeholders point of view and it most certainly changed the way I look at this issue. Would recommend it as a resource for anyone who has decision making on upland management on their radar.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/23/24

Full Review

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Thomas Opre

Director

Stephen Duringer

Executive Producer

Robert Gordon

Executive Producer

Mark Hensley

Executive Producer

Thomas Barker

Executive Producer

John Kamps

Executive Producer

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The Last Keeper: Trailer 1

2:25

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Synopsis

Scotland's history is romanticized for centuries of bloody feuds, warfare and forced displacement. In the glens today there is unfinished business, fueled by modern agendas; well-meaning rewilders, urban land reformers and distant corporates plundering carbon markets. Reminiscent of the Highland Clearances of the past, indigenous communities are increasingly an inconvenience for the urban political class and their vision of progress. The targets are farmers, gamekeepers, ghillies, and deer stalkers whose families have been working the land, in some cases, for centuries. The land provides jobs and wages which they use to buy food and pay bills; keep families living in small communities filling local schools with children; and providing active wildlife and habitat management. It's a war for control, a class warfare where traditional wildlife conservation may become as much a victim as the fragile rural communities themselves. The Highland Clearance was a thing of the past but is cultural genocide a part of the future? The answer is echoing through the Glen.

Director: Thomas Opre
Distributor: Shepherds of Wildlife Society
Production Co: Firesteel Films
Genre: Documentary, History
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 29, 2024
Runtime: 1h 30m