Watch Hadwin's Judgement

Hadwin's Judgement is a 2015 Canadian documentary film that explores the obscure story of Grant Hadwin, a brash and enigmatic logging engineer who became an environmental activist. Directed by Sasha Snow, the film is based on John Vaillant's book, The Golden Spruce, which details the life of Hadwin and the events that led him to commit an act of eco-terrorism.

The film depicts Grant Hadwin's journey from being a successful engineer, renowned for his flawless work in difficult terrain, to a recluse, fighting for the preservation of the forest that he once assisted in destroying. The documentary is framed around the events that followed the death of an iconic Sitka Spruce, which was vandalized by Hadwin in 1997. The tree was affectionately known as the 'Golden Spruce' because of the golden color of its needles. The tree was considered sacred by the Haida people, and Hadwin's act of vandalism was seen as sacrilegious.

Throughout the film, interviews with Hadwin's colleagues, friends, and family members are used to paint a portrait of Hadwin's life leading up to his fateful mission to cut down the Golden Spruce. The documentary also features footage of Hadwin's work on the logging roads that contributed to the decimation of the forests in British Columbia. Hadwin's work was marked by danger and skill, and his reputation as a logger was built on his ability to navigate treacherous terrain.

The turning point of the film is the moment when Hadwin decides to take action to save the forests he once destroyed. He becomes a zealous advocate for environmental protection, engaging in acts of protest and lobbying for change. His frayed relationship with his family deepens, and he becomes increasingly isolated as his beliefs lead him deeper into a radical world of eco-activism. Hadwin's story is also contextualized in the broader context of the logging industry in British Columbia, which is shown to have a long and fraught history of conflict with environmental activists.

As the film progresses, the viewer witnesses Hadwin's gradual descent into isolation and mental instability. Interviews with some of his friends and colleagues suggest that he was difficult to work with and had a hard time relating to others. Hadwin becomes increasingly isolated and paranoid as his crusade for environmentalism puts him on a collision course with the logging and timber industry. He turns to extreme measures, including sabotage and firebombing, as a means of stopping the destruction of the forests.

As a documentary, Hadwin's Judgement raises important questions about the price of fanaticism and the limits of activism. The film probes into the difficult ethics of direct action and the importance of having a balance between protecting the forest and ensuring the livelihood of the people who work in the logging industry. The film's narration is largely driven by the thoughtful reflections of the people who knew Hadwin at different points in his life, and who were affected by his actions during his ecological crusade. The film does not seek to condone or condemn Hadwin's actions, but rather to understand how he reached his breaking point.

Overall, Hadwin's Judgement is a compelling and thought-provoking documentary that tells the story of a complex and polarizing figure who was ahead of his time in his environmentalism activism. The film provides a nuanced portrayal of a man who was driven by his passion to save the forests but who ultimately caused harm to people and the environment. The film raises important questions about the ethics of direct action activism and the impact of corporate driven development on the natural world. The film is a fascinating exploration of the human cost of fanaticism, and about the gray areas that exist when we attempt to reconcile our ideals with the realities of the world we live in.

Hadwin's Judgement is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.