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

One might expect a documentary about the Earth Liberation Front, a so-called "domestic terrorism" organization, to have a strong bias, but Marshall Curry presents his compelling story in a surprisingly balanced way. Curry had a personal connection to Daniel McGowan, who worked with the filmmaker's wife before his arrest. Years earlier, the soft-spoken McGowan had been a member of the ELF, and had participated in several politically motivated bombings. Despite the fact that no one was ever injured during the ELF's actions, McGowan faces the grim possibility of being declared a terrorist in federal court. Focusing primarily on McGowan during his house arrest in New York, If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front tracks the young man's journey from cop's son and business student to environmentalist to radical. While the film treats McGowan fairly, Curry also gives plenty of screen time to law enforcement and to victims of the ELF's crimes. Curry's documentary clearly explicates McGowan's radicalization as a byproduct of the abuses of power faced by environmentalists engaged in civil disobedience. Curry wisely and scrupulously leaves the audience to question the designation of someone who destroys property as a "terrorist." The article in the film's title is chosen wisely. This is a compelling and deeply personal story of one man facing his past.