Letters

GOT POPCORN?
Sierra readers praised B. J. Bergman's environmental movie reviews in "Earth in the Balcony" (November/December) and suggested some of their own favorites:

Add Turtle Diary to your lists, a film with Glenda Jackson, Ben Kingsley, and Michael Gambon. It is about two somewhat isolated people who share a passion for the large Galápagos turtles they visit in an aquarium in England. With the help of the warden, they kidnap the two turtles and release them into the sea. Their respect for all creatures is beautifully and quietly intertwined with the message of the redeeming and healing power of love and impassioned activism.
Sharon Furlong, Feasterville, Pennsylvania

I no longer consider Silent Running one of the best movies ever made, but it did help to shape my future as a conservation volunteer.
Cindy Hildebrand, Ames, Iowa

How did you miss Milagro Beanfield War? Beautiful, funny, effective movie, combining issues of nature, environmental justice, economic development, with a little magic realism thrown in.
Roger S. Gottlieb, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

I was astonished that you failed to mention Medicine Man, starring Sean Connery. As a zoo docent, I often cite this movie when discussing the threat to rainforests. Most visitors have seen it and the response to its name is instantaneous. Instead of having to explain the situation from scratch in a few seconds, I merely need to reinforce what people have already learned from this fine and beautiful film.
Harry F. Noyes III, San Antonio, Texas

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre should be ranked high on the list of "Man and Nature" films. I remember Walter Huston's sagacious request to a puzzled Humphrey Bogart and Tim Holt that before they return to civilization with their gold, they first tear down the mine and put the mountain back the way they found it. Huston even turns in his saddle as they are leaving and thanks the mountain.
Tom Davisson, Nevada City, California

IN GOOD HANDS
In September, a small group and I trekked from Nepal into western Tibet and then were driven across the high-desert Tibetan plateau. At one point, we stopped at a hutment where I proceeded to enjoy my latest edition of Sierra. I started to point out different pictures to the Tibetan children who surrounded me. Trees, mountain lion, ocean, wolf were all unbelievable sights to my admirers. I began giving each of the children one picture from Sierra, which made them very happy.

Next an elderly woman supporting herself with a cane ventured over. She, too, wanted a precious picture. I offered several small ones to her, but these were not acceptable. She wanted the cover. So I tore it off and presented it to her. Her smile was genuine. I asked if I could take a photo of her with her gift, and she was happy to oblige. Somehow, I feel that out there in the Tibetan countryside this woman is still cherishing her Sierra cover.
Robert Orrizzi Santa Cruz, California

CORRECTIONS
In "Earth in the Balcony" (November/December 1999), we erroneously stated that Cross Creek was part of the Everglades. It is really in northern Florida, near Gainesville, and not part of that splendid swamp to the south.

Sierra welcomes letters from readers in response to recently published articles. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. Write to us at 85 Second St., 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105-3441; fax (415) 977-5794; e-mail sierra.letters@sierraclub.org.