MOVIE REVIEW | Wilding – A visually striking and deeply moving documentary that celebrates the resilience of nature.
Wilding is not just a documentary—it’s a call to action! Directed by David Allen, this film follows Isabella Tree and Charlie Burrell’s ambitious rewilding project on the Knepp Estate in West Sussex. With their farmland failing due to the overuse of pesticides, herbicides, and the general destruction caused by years of intensive Western farming, they make a radical decision: give nature free rein and see what happens. What unfolds is nothing short of extraordinary.
Cinematically, Wilding is breathtaking. Sweeping drone shots and intimate wildlife close-ups capture nature’s slow but spectacular comeback. We see rare storks nesting, once-domesticated ponies and ancient breeds of cows roaming freely, and beavers returning to reshape the land. Every frame feels alive, reinforcing the film’s central message—when left alone, nature knows exactly what to do.
This story highlights the damage humans have inflicted on the planet, but not in a heavy-handed or preachy way. Instead, it inspires us by showcasing the incredible (and sometimes literal) butterfly effect that different species have on their environment. From rootling pigs ploughing the soil to a kaleidoscope of butterflies laying their eggs on Creeping Thistle, allowing their caterpillar young to curb the weed’s spread, the film beautifully illustrates how ecosystems naturally balance themselves when given the chance.
Wilding is more than just beautiful visuals. It’s an emotional journey, driven by hope and persistence. T
ree and Burrell face skepticism and setbacks, but their commitment never wavers. The film doesn’t just celebrate their success; it challenges us to reconsider how we interact with the natural world.
This inspiring true story shows how a single decision can spark a movement to save the planet, one step at a time. With others across the UK joining the vision to “connect Knepp to the sea,” a global movement has begun, exploring what rewilding might look like in other climates and landscapes.
That said, the documentary plays things safe. While it touches on the struggles of rewilding, it never fully explores the political and economic pressures that come with such a drastic shift in land use. A deeper dive into these challenges would have added more weight to the triumphs.
Still, Wilding is a must-watch. It’s uplifting, thought-provoking, and visually stunning—a reminder that sometimes, the best way to fix something is to step back and let it heal itself.
Tickets for select preview screenings are available now before the film heads into national cinema release on May 22.
Link to Garage Films HERE
TV Central Movie Reviews HERE
TV Central Movie Previews HERE
Rating
Aaron: 10 / 10 “ A visually striking and deeply moving documentary”
Zak: 9 / 10 “the final execution is surprising. An unexpected hit”
Synopsis:
Based on Isabella Tree’s best-selling book by the same title, WILDING tells the story of a young couple that bets on nature for the future of their failing, four-hundred-year-old estate. The young couple battles entrenched tradition and dare to place the fate of their farm in the hands of nature. Ripping down the fences, they set the land back to the wild and entrust its recovery to a motley mix of animals, both tame and wild. It is the beginning of a grand experiment that will become one of the most significant rewilding experiments in Europe.
“Wonderful…An inspiring true story that shows how we can revive nature and restore hope”
Patrick Barkham, The Guardian
“Nature is healing in this soul-enhancing, hopeful ode to the British countryside”
★★★★ Time Out
“Visually stunning… a life enhancing experience
Cinema Experience:
Luna Leederville is a small, quirky and seasoned cinema located in Leederville, WA.
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Staff were efficient and friendly and the atmosphere was great.
MOVIE REVIEW | Wilding
