Luna: The Stafford Giant Tree-sit In

Because of the publicity last December surrounding Julia “Butterfly” Hill's descent from a giant Californian redwood tree after two years of occupation, I was looking forward to watching this. However, when the narrator informed me that Julia ascended the tree on December 10, 1997 and has “so far not come down,” my anticipation turned to disappointment. Her story is indeed interesting and inspiring, and the “save the redwoods” cause is indeed worthy, but this tape is just too low-budget, skimpy on background and perspective, and dated to be of any lasting interest. Besides which, my questions about how she actually lived day-to-day (how did she cook, wash, use the bathroom, or stay warm?) went largely unanswered, and, let's face it, even the most environmentally aware of us is going to be interested in those details. All told, I'd recommend waiting for a more professionally done, broader-based production of this story. Aud: J, H, C, P. (K. Glaser)