![[up to table of contents]](/john_muir_exhibit/graphics/icons/up_to_contents_icon.gif){kind=icon}
Note: Items shown in boldface are believed to be available for purchase at the time this bibliography was last revised. No attempt has been made to include entries from encyclopedias or similar reference works.
"A Glorious Journey" by National Park Service. A 20-minute introductory film shown on demand throughout the day at John Muir National Historic Site, Martinez, California. Covers the story of Muir's life, with special emphasis on his life in Martinez, and his efforts for Yosemite National Park and Hetch Hetchy.
"Alaska Stories".
VIDEOCASSETTE.
Written and narrated by W.
Claud Thompson.
(47 min.);
Color VHS.
Order from W.C.
Thompson &
Co.,
19229 Sonoma Highway,
Suite 143,
Sonoma,
CA 95476.
This video begins and ends as a travel documentary,
but focuses on three stories of Alaska,
including a fulfilling treatment of John Muir's "Stickeen"
-- Muir's adventure on an Alaska glacier with a canine friend.
"The Boyhood of John Muir" A dramatic family film. A Hott Production of
Florentine Films.
VIDEOCASSETTE.
(Produced by Diane Garey;
Directed by Lawrence R. Holt;
Screenplay by Ken Chowder.
Starring Gerda Stevenson, Ken Drury, Joanne Bett, Colin Bruce,
and introducing Gary Hollywood as the young John Muir.
78 min..,
1/2 in.,
VHS Videocassette, 1997).
Distributed by: Bullfrog Films,
P.O. Box 149,
Oley, PA. 19547.
Telephone: 800-543-3764.
Fax: 610-370-1978.
email: Bullfrog@igc.apc.org
For International Distribution:
Jane Balfour Films Ltd.,
Burghley House ,
35 Fortess Road,
London NW5 1AD England.
Phone: 0171 267 5392
Fax: 0171 267 4241
Email: 106055.46@compuserve.com
"The Boyhood of John Muir" is a dramatic and compelling
look at the early life of America's first great
spokesman for wilderness.
The film is divided into three parts. In the first part, the
dramatic battle lines are drawn: the free-spirited boy John
Muir is pitted against his well-intentioned but unforgiving
father, and the joy of nature is John's escape from the
pious solemnity of their rugged life on a Wisconsin farm in
the 1850s. In the second part, John gets help in his
struggle from both his mother and from an older neighbor
called the Yankee -- help that helps him live with his
father and learn the beautiful and just laws of the natural
world. In the third part, John begins to make inventions, a
skill that carries him away from the backbreaking labor of
the farm; but a trick of fate shows him what he really cares
about. At last he abandons mechanical science to pursue his
overwhelming love of nature and God's creatures.
"California's Gold: John Muir" #5005. VIDEOCASSETTE.
Huell Howser Productions, 2003.
30 minutes. $19.95. Also available in DVD as part of Huell Howser's "Yosemite
Week" series, available from Huell
Howser Productions, (
800) 266-5727.
Part of Huell Howser's "California's Gold" television series, this episode
involves views and two interviews conducted outside on location in Yosemite
National Park. The first brief interview is of Scott Gediman, National Park
Service spokesman, who gives a concise summary of who John Muir was and his
importance. The rest of the video is an interview of John Muir himself (embodied
by actor Lee Stetson). Part of the interview is conducted in the middle of
a meadow in Yosemite Valley, with views of the spectacular granite cliffs in
all directions; the final portion is conducted at Glacier Point, as Muir explains
the geological history of these glaciated mountains.
"California's Golden Parks: John Muir Home" #129. VIDEOCASSETTE
or DVD. Huell Howser Productions, 2004.
30 minutes. $19.95, also available as part of "Yosemite Week" series,
available from Huell
Howser Productions, ( 800) 266-5727.
Part of Huell Howser's "California's golden Parks" television
series, this episode involves views and interviews conducted on location at John
Muir National Historic Site in Martinez, the Victorian residence in Martinez
where the naturalist John Muir lived from 1890 to his death in 1914. After a
brief introductory interview of National Park Service spokesman Tad Shay and
a visit to Muir's "scribble den," Huell interviews the woman, Faire
Sax, who, with her husband Henry, was responsible for restoring and preserving
this important site, and then placing it under the protection of the Natiinal
Park Service. An inspiring example of the difference one or a few people can
make!
"Conversation with a Tramp" VIDEOCASSETTE.
A KQED-TV S.F.
production.
1992.
Available from
Lee Stetson's Wild Productions
,
Box 93,
Midpines, CA 95345
Telephone: (209) 742-7838.
e-mail: leestetson@sierratel.com
Lee Stetson Official Home Page (offsite link)
Same title as Stetson's audiocassette, this is a video
recording of Stetson's one-man stage play of John Muir's
story-telling while waiting word from Washington concerning
the fate of Hetch Hetchy Valley.
"Giants in the Wilderness," a 60-minute drama, set on a bluff overlooking
Pike’s Peak, Colorado, October, 1896.
One-act play and film portrays
John Muir, Charles Sprague Sargent, and John Muir on a tour of the Western
forests with the intent of writing a National Forest Report to be presented
before Congress. Sargent and Pinchot lock horns about what the report should
say, while Muir acts as a spiritual and philosophical buffer, providing insight
into the sacredness of the wilderness at stake. Filmed at at Mount Wachusett
Community College in Gardner, Massachusetts., July 21, 2000. © 1998. Script/rights
for performance available from Genevieve Fraser, 211 Dana Road, Massachusetts
01364 U. S. A., telephone (home) 978-544-1872.
E-mail: gcfraser@peoplepc.com
Website1 : http://heniford.net/4321/index.php?n=Citations-G.GiantsInTheWilderness-3m
Website2 : http://www.heniford.net/1234/3m_gitw.htm
"John Muir: Environmentalist (1838-1914)" (Part of "Portraits: The Americans" Series)
VIDEOCASSETTE.
A GPN Production (Great Plains National Instructional Television), 1997.
Product Code: 706.009. For grades 4 - 8; 15 minutes; color; Price: $39.95.
Available from
Great Plains National Instructional Television,
Lincoln, NE 68501-0669; Phone: (402) 472-2007 or Toll Free: 800-228-4630;
Fax: 800-306-2330: Email: gpn@unl.edu; Website:
http://www.gpn.unl.edu
Preview the video here (offsite link):
This educational video, intended primarily for grade 4-8, tells Muir's life story in a conversational style presented
by two engaging young people narrating, with an "expert" teacher occasionally appearing in the background. The video describes his immigration from Scotland to the deep woods of Wisconsin at the age of 11, his role as an inventor and amateur botanist, his educational pursuits, and his move
to California where he spent much of his time in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Yosemite Valley. The emphasis is on Muir's interest in forest protection. A major failing is that the Hetch Hetchy issue is not mentioned at all.
The producers state that this video "encourages an appreciation of one man's accomplishments sparked by his view of the need to
preserve the wilderness and facilitates the integration of history-social science,
and science."
SUPPORT MATERIALS: The teacher's guide includes a brief program synopsis, pre- and
post-viewing activities, and cross-curriculum integration.
CURRICULUM APPLICATIONS:
The California Educational Technology Clearinghouse suggests these classroom activities
to be used in conjunction with the film:
Make a map that shows the places that John Muir explored. Explain how this exploration ultimately led to environmental legislation.
Go on a nature walk. Try to observe the signs of flood, erosion, and pollution, as well as sounds (both natural and man-made). Compile observations upon returning.
Debate the points of view between developers and environmental groups.
Compare John Muir's lifestyle as he was growing up with that of the typical teenager of today.
Read and discuss poetry based on nature. Write and illustrate short nature poems.
"John Muir in the New World" Proposed 2-hour Film Documentary (2007)
International Cultural Programming in partnership with GreatFull Productions
of Seattle are producing a two-hour biographical documentary of the extraordinary
life and influence of John Muir. The project recently
received a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) scripting grant
of $80,000. The proposed film is to be produced by Global Village Media, GreatFull
Productions and NewStory Ventures of Seattle. Director: Catherine Tatge.
See producer's
press release (July 18, 2007).
"John Muir: The Man,
The Poet,
The Legacy" VIDEOCASSETTE.
A KRON-TV S.F.
Production in Association with Chronicle Productions,
1981.
Produced by Ziggy Stone.
Available from
Canyonlands Publications, 4860 N Ken Morey Dr., Bellemont, AZ (928) 779-3888. Color with b&w sequences,
VHS and PAL format.
An enthusiastic and comprehensive historical recounting of
Muir's entire life by Thayer Walker which traces the events
of Muir's life from his boyhood in Scotland and youth in
Wisconsin, to his years of exploration and his career as a
conservation crusader. Visits many of the places Muir lived
and explored, with visual re-enactments, performed with
heart-felt appreciation and respect for John Muir. For
general audiences, excellent for classroom use.
"Kings Canyon National Park: Gem of the Sierra." DVD. Available from Sequoia
Natural History Association.
This 16 minute high definition
film shows three unique regions of Kings Canyon
National Park - the Kings Canyon, the Grant Grove and the High Sierra.
In addition to capturing the incredible range of flora, fauna and terrain
in Kings Canyon, there is a brief appearance of John Muir, portrayed by
Frank Helling. Shown in the Kings Canyon National Park Visitor Center in
Grant Grove, the DVD version includes over 35 minutes of special features.
"Yosemite: The Storm of Beauty." DVD and VIDEOCASSETTE
(1999)
Produced, directed, and photographed by Jeffrey David Nicholas.
Narrated, researched, and written by Lee Stetson based on the writings of John Muir.
(
Panorama International Productions, Inc.,
4988 Gold Leaf Dr.,
Mariposa, CA 95338. $20.00)
This is a peaceful, relaxing, deliberately slow-moving video journey through Yosemite, including Tuolumne Meadows, the Giant Sequoias of the Mariposa Grove, and Yosemite Valley itself. It is an evocative film of Yosemite through the changing seasons. The soundtrack feaures Nature's sounds and New Age type music, with narration in John Muir's words by Lee Stetson. Many of Muir's best meditations on the beauties of nature are presented. The photography and Muir's words flow smoothly throughout this beautiful film.
Spirit of Yosemite - The Spectacular Visitor Orientation Film at Yosemite National Park. Produced by Greystone Communications/The Yosemite Fund; Directed by David Vassar. John Muir is played by Ben Goger. Available in VHS or DVD from Yosemite Association. 23 minutes; (2001).
This state of the art orientation film for Yosemite interweaves the beauty of Yosemite with the historical influences that helped to create it. The film includes stunning vistas of Yosemite Valley, the giant sequoias, Tuolumne Meadows, and the High Sierra, often notable for amazing time-lapse photography. Historical vignettes include depictions of Galen Clark's discovery of the Mariposa Grove, and John Muir exploring Yosemite and drawing a map to show the boundaries of his proposed Yosemite National Park.
The Special Edition DVD version includes over 30 minutes of additional material in the form of 3 new short films highlighting the beauty of Yosemite Valley, the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees, and Tuolumne Meadows and the High Sierra. The DVD also provides 8 audio options and 5 different languages: English, Spanish, French, German, and Japanese. Options for stereo surround without narration and a director and producer commentary track also are included.
For more info:
"The Story of Yosemite" DVD and VIDEOCASSETTE.
(2000)
Produced and Directed by Steve Parry, released by SunWest Media Group, Inc.
This video contains three chapters: "The Poet and the Rough Rider," "John Muir's Yosemite," and "Falling Waters," all of which share much of the same film footage of Yosemite, showin in various seasons. The first Chapter includes narration of the meeting of President Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir, with dramatic sequences performed by Joe Early and Roosevelt and Lee Stetson as Muir. Unfortunately, this feature leaves out much of the dramatic re-enactment performed as a two-man play by Early and Stetson, and also fails to give any real details about their camping trip together. In an effort to enhance the drama, the producers misrepresent and exaggerate the differences between Roosevelt and Muir.
The second chapter, "John Muir's Yosemite," features film footage accompanied by quotes and paraphrases from Muir's writings, with Rick Cimino as the voice of John Muir. The first section includes some of is more philosophical writings, while later sections feature his descriptions of waterfalls, forests, and other Yosemite features. A DVD feature includes a text John Muir profile. Unfortunately, the DVD menu for this section includes a photo of someone other than John Muir, whose only resemblence is the beard.
The third chapter, "Falling Waters," features much of the same film footage, along with some additional footage, accompanied by piano music.
"The Naturalists: Earth-Planet,
Universe - John Muir".
VIDEOCASSETTE -
Produced &
directed by Jim Case,
Written by Kay Eldredge.
(KRMA-TV Denver, PBS Video,
1973)
Videocassette (28 min.);
Color 1/2 in.
VHS (from the series "The Naturalists")
Cast:
Voice of John Muir by Karl Swenson;
Narrator: Bob Gladstone;
Photographed by Mike Halvajian and Bill Loeffler;
Music by David Pew;
Consultant: William F. Kimes
Made possible by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting; © Rocky Mountain Public Broadcasting Network, Inc.
The emphasis is on quotations from Muir and nature photography as the life story of John Muir is told. Excellent, inspirational overview of Muir's wilderness exploration and conservatoin campaigns. The only failing in this video is that there is no mention of Hetch Hetchy. Out of print until recently, the video is now available from the John Muir National Historic Site Bookstore.
"Earth-Planet Universe: John Muir". MOTION PICTURE. Same as above in 16 mm film format. One 16 mm. reel, 29 min.. (Said to be no longer available for purchase, but it may be available for rental from Indiana University, Audio-Visual Center, Bloomington, Indiana 47405; Toll Free Telephone ordering: (800) 552-8620 outside Indiana. Rental Price: $15.90 for up to five days; Purchase Price: $360. Order catalog No. NC1450,16.
"John Muir" FILMSTRIP.
Great American Film Factory,
1975.
(52 frames,
color,
35 mm.
with audio cassette,
15 min.).
Depicts the life of conservationist John Muir,
emphasizing his campaign for the preservation of Yosemite National Park
and wilderness areas.
This program tells us the story of his life
in his own words and those of others.
For grade levels 5 - 7.
Rental Price: $10.00 plus shipping (around $3.00)
for a two-week booking;
Purchase Price: $34.95.
Available for purchase from Educational Images, Ltd.,
306 Academy Pl.,
P.O. Box 3456,
West Side Station,
Elmire, N.Y. 14905.
"John Muir's High Sierras" VIDEOCASSETTE.
Dewitt Jones Productions,
Los Angeles: Churchill Films (distributor) (1973).
1/2 in.,
VHS Videocassette.
(27 minutes;
School Version: 21 1/2 min..;
color with b&w sequences).
Film-maker Dewitt Jones worked in Yosemite National Park
for 18 months to gather footage for this film.
Jones retraced some of the hikes of naturalist-conservationist
John Muir in the 'temples of nature' during the late 19th century.
Excerpts from Muir's diary are read over these majestic images.
The video presents the land Muir cherished and wanted to share,
and the role he played in conserving the National Parks,
founding the Sierra Club,
and more.
Rental Price: $60.00.
Purchase Price: $310;
School Version: $290.00.
For ordering,
see next listing.
"John Muir's High Sierras" MOTION PICTURE. Same as above, in 16 mm. film format. Rental Price: $60.00; Purchase Price: $445; School Version: $415.00. Rental available from: Audience Planners, 5107 Douglas Fir Rd., Calabasas, CA 91302. Toll Free: (800) 624-8613; in California (818) 884-3100. Available for purchase from Churchill Films, 662 North Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90069.
John Muir Conference Lectures,
1990,
University of the Pacific.
3 vols.
VIDEOCASSETTE.
$19.95 each ppd,
or $55 for all three volumes.
John Muir Center for Regional Studies,
UOP,
Stockton,
CA 95211.
(1) Paul Sheats,
Edmund Schofield,
Elizabeth Pomeroy;
(2) Richard Fleck,
Don Weiss,
Keith Kennedy;
(3) Stephen Mark,
James Heffermen,
Frederick Turner,
Nancy Slack,
Neil Fahy.
See John Muir Newsletter v.3 no.3 (Summer,
1993) for details,
or compare 1990 conference proceedings in
John Muir Life and Work
ed.
by Sally Miller,
above.
"John Muir".
MOTION PICTURE - UNAVAILABLE.
Corsair Films: Released by Walt Disney Educational Materials Co.,
1973).
15 min.,
color,
16 mm.
With teacher's guide.
Traces the events in John Muir's life which led to his
successful efforts to secure environmental protection
legislation. Lib. of Congress Cat. Call No. QH31.M9.
"California Dreams: Yosemite National Park,
Wilderness Man" VIDEOCASSETTE.
(KOCE-TV Foundation;
produced by Patrick Griffin;
written &
directed by J.
Francis Gladstone (29 min..,
1/2 in.,
VHS Videocassette).
Narrator: Eddie Albert
Documentary on the life of John Muir, concentrating on his
conservation efforts which led to the creation of the
National Park at Yosemite. For general audiences.
"The Wilderness Idea - John Muir, Gifford Pinchot and the
First Great Battle of Wilderness" VIDEOCASSETTE (Florentine
Films, a film by Lawrence Hott & Diane Garey) (58 min.,
$29.95) Distributed by: Direct Cinema Ltd.,
P.O.Box 10003,
Santa Monica, CA 90410 310-636-8200
Documentary focusing on the Hetch Hetchy battle,
from historical and contemporary perspectives.
Winner of the Best History award at the American Film Festival, and gold
awards at the Chicago, San Francisco, and National Educational film festivals..
It was broadcast on The American Experience. Part of a series.
For general audiences.
"The Mountains Call My Name" VIDEOCASSETTE. American Folklore Theatre,
October 2, 1989. Written by Frederic Heide, Ph.D.
This is a musical theater presentation depicting Muir's troubled youth
and nature-inspired adulthood. An interesting concept, probably better
viewed in a live theatre than on a videotape.
"Heimgang" A film by Scott W. Harden. (310) 824-587. E-mail:
sharden@ucla.edu VIDEOCASSETTE.
A UCLA film student presentation, a "short" showing Muir,
frustrated at his desk writing articles about the
wilderness, leaping up and taking the train to Yosemite to
re-experience the wilderness. Narration is solely from
Muir's writings. Filmed on location at John Muir National
Historic Site, Martinez, California, and Yosemite National
Park.
"Looking for John Muir" MOTION PICTURE. A film by Robert
Perkins - writer, narrator, and star. Cameraman, Graham
Johnston. Presented by England's Channel Four. Shown on PBS,
June, 1996.
The LA Times calls this a "Misguided Travelogue" - and
they're right! The film maker here passed up an excellent
opportunity to explore what Muir's 1,000 Mile Walk to the
Gulf may look like today, but instead provides little
more than scenes of driving a sidecar motorcycle down truck-infested highways; visiting motels and hotels; and finding almost nothing of Muir left in the South. Because Perkins travels with a dog, he cannot even visit the one place Muir visited which is now a National Park - Mammoth Caves National Park. The only bright spot in this dismal documentary is the visit to Bonaventure Cemetery, which appears to be as beautiful today as when Muir slept there in October of1867. This film is not usable for educational purposes due to its mostly irrelevant focus.
"The John Muir Trail: A Video Trail Guide"
(Purple Dragon Ventures;
produced by Joe and Carol McVeigh;
with special appearance by Lee Stetson as John Muir
(90 min..,
1/2 in.,
VHS Videocassette, 1994).
Narrator: Carol McVeigh.
Presented in two parts; Part One is a video excursion
of all 212 miles of the John Muir Trail from Yosemite
Valley to the top of Mt. Whitney. Not a slick commercial film,
the video gives one the experience
of hikers who really know and love the Trail, sharing
their intimate experiences and the beautiful scenery.
Part Two traces the length of the trail on topographic
maps; a bit hard to read in a video format even on a
fairly large screen. The video concludes with information
on trailheads, permits, re-supply points, guidebooks,
side-trips, and addresses.
"The John Muir Trail"
(Earth Images;
Filmed, edited, and written by Lee Turkelson.
John Muir quotations spoken by Miike Wilson.
John Muir portrayed by Al King.
(75 min..,
1/2 in.,
VHS Videocassette, 1996).
Narrator: Joe David.
Available from: Earth Images, 1127 S. Pinkham, Visalia, CA 93292.
Price: $20.00 plus $2.00 shipping and handling (California residents
add $1.45 sales tax.)
This video presents a magnificent journey along "America's most majestic mountain path,"
from Mt. Whitney to the Valley of Yosemite. Includes grandly scenic footage, and spontaneous
interviews with hikers along the trail. An useful and interesting feature of the film is to
show several places in both early and late summer, with major snow contrasts.
John Muir, portrayed by Al King, is featured at the beginning and the end of this
travelog, while Muir quotations are interspersed throughout the video.
"John Muir's 1,000 Mile Walk and Other Adventures"
Presented by Dr. Richard E. Shore.
This short video gives excerpts of Dr. Shore's entertaining and informative
presentations as John Muir. Told in the best storytelling tradition,
you can preview clips of this online: