“A visually stunning journey through US environmental history.”

—Yolanda Cieters, Sustainability Manager, Center for Environmental Justice and Sustainability, Seattle University

Stewart Udall: The Politics of Beauty

Directed by John de Graaf

78 minutes | SDH captions | Scene Selection

Stewart Lee Udall was the most prominent and effective Secretary of the Interior in American history.

Stewart Udall: The Politics of Beauty is a feature documentary that examines the trajectory of Udall’s life from his childhood through his Mormon mission, his World War II service, his student years at the University of Arizona, his time in Congress, and then, most significantly, his years as Secretary of the Interior and beyond.

The film introduces us to the birth pangs of modern environmental politics, to figures like Aldo Leopold, Rachel Carson, David Brower, and John Saylor. We see how Udall’s ideas evolved, best illustrated in his conversion from a pro-power dam Arizona representative to the Interior Secretary who dealt the death blow to proposed Grand Canyon dams. We examine his long fight to win compensation for Navajo Indians and “downwinders” who got cancer from their exposure to radiation during the Cold War without being warned of the dangers. And we see the relevance of his concerns—he was the first public official to speak out about global warming, for example—to our current day crises.

Stewart Udall: The Politics of Beauty is now available on DVD with public performance rights for purchase and rental by schools, libraries, and other organizations. Academic streaming can be licensed from Docuseek. Campus and community groups interested in hosting a community screening can book now through Bullfrog Communities.

WATCH THE TRAILER

“This film is long overdue, and much needed. It documents the remarkable breadth and depth of Udall's achievements. But the film does more than that. It helps us to appreciate Udall as an essential link between the conservation and environmental movements of the 20th century and the challenges, needs, and opportunities of the 21st.”

—Curt Meine, Senior Fellow, Aldo Leopold Foundation and Center for Humans and Nature, Author, Aldo Leopold: His Life and Work

“Stewart Udall: The Politics of Beauty is a timely contribution to the history of politics in the US. The complexity of conservation in politics was presented in a most enjoyable way. The value of this for humanities discussion is immeasurable.”

—Heather Steinmann, Associate Professor of English, Western New Mexico University

“Stewart Udall was a true Renaissance man, an environmentalist in heart and mind, but so much more: outdoorsman, athlete, family man, politician, author, war hero, civil rights activist. A pillar of the Environmental Movement, his legacy includes the Wilderness Act, Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, National Trails System Act, and crown jewel national parks such as Redwood and North Cascades. This is brilliant film in both substance and form, ideal for the classroom.”

—Bob Manning, Professor Emeritus of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont, Co-author, Walks of a Lifetime in America's National Parks

“Udall's furious commitment to an ethical approach to land-use changed the meaning of the outdoors to all Americans and gave generations the inspiration and capacity to pursue a 'love affair with the wonders of the Earth.' The Politics of Beauty will also surprise viewers with Udall's commitment to issues of race - particularly Native American issues - long before environmental justice was discussed. He was a pioneer in environmental policy and how the government might be used to ensure a more balanced human existence.”

—Brian Black, Professor of History and Environmental Studies, Pennsylvania State University-Altoona

To order Stewart Udall: The Politics of Beauty,

visit the Bullfrog Films online catalog.

Order by phone at (610) 779-8226

or email us at info@bullfrogfilms.com

Bullfrog Films is the oldest and largest publisher of documentary films about the environment in the United States. We define "environment" broadly, and our catalog includes programs on ecology, energy, agriculture, indigenous peoples, women's studies, environmental justice, international relations, sustainable development, anthropology, economics, ethics, and conflict resolution.