208 Ratings

If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front

United States, 2011

Documentary, Crime, History

Synopsis

A rare behind-the-curtain look at the Earth Liberation Front, the radical environmental group that the FBI calls America’s ‘number one domestic terrorist threat.’

If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front Directed by Marshall Curry, Sam Cullman

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Awards & Festivals

Academy Awards

2012 | Nominee: Best Documentary, Features

Sundance Film Festival

2011 | 2 wins including: Documentary (Editing Award)

Writers Guild of America

2012 | Nominee: Best Documentary Screenplay (Screen)

Istanbul International Film Festival

2012

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Cast & Crew

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What are people saying?

El Biffo's rating of the film If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front
El Biffo

I thought Daniel McGowan was a hero until I saw this film and realized that there is something wrong with his brain, Everyone who watched this film online is now on an NSA watchlist. Beware, your computer is watching you and reporting every keystroke to the authorities who will save the information forever. I love Big Brother.
February 17, 2014 01:41
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Harry Rossi's rating of the film If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front
Harry Rossi

While the filmmaking isn't spectacular, the content is pretty fascinating. I mean, you feel the frustration that these people were feeling towards the disgusting cooperations that seem to run our country. That being said, their methods got to be too extreme, and ultimately pointless, but you really truly get their motives. You also get both sides of the story told well of radicals vs. police. Interesting documentary!
December 07, 2013 04:27
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Matthew_Lucas's rating of the film If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front
Matthew_Lucas

Remarkably even-handed documentary profiles the Earth Liberation Front, a group of eco-terrorists, through the lens of one of their members on trial for arson. Raises interesting questions about what makes a terrorist, and explores the issue from both sides, but falters when it tries to make us feel sorry for a man who is only spending 7 years in jail for something he brought on himself.
October 12, 2011 23:36
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Eleanor Abernathy's rating of the film If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front
Eleanor Abernathy

this was pretty interesting, especially after watching "Better This World"...i like how the directors attempted to really show both sides of the story (like the ELF really screwed up one of their arsons)...but the best comment for the whole film was: arson is a crime, but is it terrorism? i think that's what this film was really about.
September 20, 2011 02:02
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pivic's rating of the film If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front
pivic

Interesting documentary on people who illegally try to change the course of eco-politics (i.e. terrorists), first through democratically and legally OK protesting, but when the law works intrinsically in cahoots with the corporations, what then? Fires. In total, over 1200 attributed to the ELF (Earth Liberation Front). This is a good documentary focusing on some of the ones who were caught in the USA.
April 23, 2012 03:55
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Anna's rating of the film If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front
Anna

Interesting documentary that presents the ELF from multiple angles, and while I can understand their anger, it's obnoxious that they can't swallow the fact that their actions constitute as terrorism, regardless if they weren't killing people or swearing their devotion to some crazy religious cause. Extremism is extremism, terrorism is terrorism. Their defensive words were tinged with so much Islamophobia.
June 29, 2014 07:35
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Christopher's rating of the film If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front
Christopher

Interesting... BUT I can't help but feel that it is glorified or will be glorified. We should be sympathizing with these drug addict, extremist fucks? Don't think so. They should've been put in prison for longer.
September 16, 2011 17:03
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LexiLoo30's rating of the film If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front
LexiLoo30

Very well put-together. Takes an immense amount of material and condenses it through focusing on a single man who is accused of eco-terrorism. Exploration of what "terrorism" is is equally interesting. Thought-provoking, even-handed, and excellent execution.
June 24, 2011 15:19
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