Wilding (film)
| Wilding | |
|---|---|
Exmoor ponies at Knepp | |
| Directed by | David Allen |
| Written by | Isabella Tree |
| Produced by | Gaby Bastyra |
| Cinematography |
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| Edited by | Mark Fletcher |
| Music by |
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Production companies | |
Release date |
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Running time | 75 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Wilding is a 2023 British documentary film directed by David Allen, about Charlie Burrell, Isabella Tree and their rewilding project Knepp Wildland in West Sussex. The film is based on Tree's 2018 book of the same name.
Cast
- Charlie Burrell
- Isabella Tree
- Rhiannon Neads
- Matthew Collyer
Synopsis
The documentary follows Tree and Burrell – both in the present and through filmed recreations of their younger selves using actors – as they transition Knepp away from intensive farming and instead encourage natural processes and biodiversity. The couple decides to stop farming partially as a result of a visit from an expert on oak trees, Ted Green, who draws to their attention how intensive farming is harming their existing oaks. The rewilding includes allowing large herbivores like Exmoor ponies, Tamworth pigs, deer and English longhorn cattle to roam freely, based on the ideas of conservationist Frans Vera. While the project faces criticism from those who see it as a waste of agricultural land, an affront to aesthetics, or a risk of spreading weeds, the rewilding project sees successes such as the appearance of turtledoves, and the successful reintroduction of the white stork.
Production
According to Tree, she and Burrell had received numerous approaches to make a film adaption of Tree's book. They asked advice from David Allen, who they already knew, about who to go ahead with, and Allen suggested he adapt it himself.[2]
Filming took place at the estate for years, and there was also filming inside Tree and Burrell's home for some weeks. Film crews documented the first release of beavers, and the first flight of a wild-raised white stork – both the first time in England for hundreds of years. The stork's flight was captured by drone.[3]
Reception
The film has an 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.[4] A review for The Guardian gives the film 3/5 stars and describes it as 'half puff job, half genuinely inspirational record of a rare eco-success story.'[5] A Time Out review labels the documentary 'soul-enhancing' and 'hopeful', and praises the cinematography.[6] An article for ABC News describes how the film 'isn't wagging the finger, it's celebrating the power of change.'[7]
However, a review for The Times was more negative, labelling the documentary 'bland and dull' with a lack of drama or humour, despite the value of the Knepp rewilding project.[8]
Release
Wilding had its world premiere in 2023 at the BFI London Film Festival.[1]
References
- ^ a b "British Council Film: Wilding". britishcouncil.org. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- ^ Tree, Isabella. "Q&A with Isabella Tree, 'Production Notes'". Wilding. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- ^ Allen, David. "Q&A with director David Allen, 'Production Notes'". Wilding. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- ^ "Wilding (2023)". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- ^ O'Sullivan, Charlotte (16 June 2024). "Wilding review – a biodiversity success story in West Sussex". The Observer. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- ^ de Semlyen, Phil (14 June 2024). "Wilding". Time Out. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- ^ Smyrk, Katherine (27 May 2025). "How one family turned their failing farm into a pocket of paradise". ABC News. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- ^ Maher, Kevin (7 July 2024). "Wilding review — Isabella Tree's environmental documentary is bland and dull". The Times. Archived from the original on 17 December 2024. Retrieved 7 July 2024.