The Unruly Mystic: John Muir explores the remarkable life and influential work of America’s first environmental activist. Lively discussions on Muir’s life and his unique spirituality, California’s pioneering ecological preservationist and founder of Yosemite National Park, serve as catalysts for great outdoors exploration and how it impacts the lives of people today.
The Unruly Mystic: John Muir
Prophet. Author. Poet. Conservationist.
Feature documentary film, directed by Michael M. Conti, produced with Heather Boyle (USA) — 70 minutes.
By all standards, Muir was a mystic, prophet, author, poet, conservationist, and radical, all of which helped him succeed as a nature advocate. As America’s father of climatology, Muir dedicated his life to protecting the natural settings he loved which remain preserved to this day.
Muir’s writings profoundly shaped how we understand our relationship with the natural world. His work stands as a personal outdoor guide for nature lovers worldwide.
About the Film
With carefully crafted interviews and stunning outdoor cinematography by Michael M. Conti, noted psychiatrists, therapists, theologians, writers, and others discuss their relationship with nature and the transformative effect it has had on their lives.
According to legend, John Muir tied himself to a tree during a violent windstorm. Here is the full story that has inspired readers, mystics, and adventurers. Beginning along Central America’s Continental Divide in Costa Rica, Conti hikes through a lush jungle narrating his relationship with nature, inviting audiences to learn more about John Muir. During Conti’s trek to Yosemite National Park, former US President Barack Obama shares his personal experiences from his visits to the national park.
The foundation of America’s environmental movement rests firmly on the shoulders of a few conservationists, most notably John Muir. Commonly known as “John of the Mountains,” Muir was a naturalist, writer, and environmental philosopher. As the founder of the Sierra Club, he was a mountaineer and dedicated advocate of natural resources and wilderness preservation throughout America’s West Coast regions. Muir’s spirit and legacy thrive today at America’s national parks, wilderness destinations, wildlife refuges, hiking trails, and forests.
An ecological prophet and Christian mystic, Muir recognized the value of nature for its spiritual and transcendental qualities. He believed the wilderness was a place where humans could rest, seek inspiration, and engage in prayer and meditation. This filmic journey concludes with a trip to a sacred lake deep in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia, where a First Nations elder reminds viewers of what’s at stake should humans disconnect themselves from the life and work of John Muir.
Screen This Film in Your Community
The Unruly Mystic™: John Muir is available for theatrical and private screenings. A live screening with an audience that can engage in conversation afterwards is more meaningful than watching the film alone. After screening the film, there is a talk back with discussion around awe, inspiration, and nature. People leave wanting more meaningful encounters with the natural world. Learn about licensing a public or private screening to your community.