Big River Man: DVD Review

Big River Man: DVD Review

Big River Man
Rating: M
Released by Vendetta Films
Big River Man is the endurance story you have to see to believe - because in places, it's simply nuts.

This doco is the story of the most insane endurance swimmer I have ever seen - hard drinking, hard living Martin Strel, a Slovenian man in his fifties who takes on the Amazon.

Despite advice to maybe tone down some of the excesses while on the swim, Strel decides he knows best and tackles the 3274 mile swim in his own indomitable style.

The eventual results which are filmed by his son, follows him as he basically descends into some kind of madness - I actually didn't think a film like this would be as gripping as it is - but Strel Jr manages to capture the sprial down in an at times hallucinogenic way as both of them negotiate the Amazon.
I can't recommend this film enough - on the small screen, it really is captivating and terrifying in equal amounts.

If you ever thought the kind of people who take up endurance sports are a bit nuts, this may make you reconsider your opinion. Big River Man is gripping and surprising in many ways.

Extras: Q&A at Sydney 2009 film festival and trailer

Rating: 8/10