Patterson-Gimlin Bigfoot: Documentation or Fraud?

Unexplained Mysteries

The Patterson-Gimlin film, captured in 1967, is one of the most important and controversial pieces of evidence in the decades-old hunt for Bigfoot. Shot in the dense wilderness of Northern California, this short film supposedly shows a large, ape-like creature walking along a creek bed. Filmed by a pair of Bigfoot enthusiasts, some believe the film is definitive proof that Bigfoot exists, while others see it as nothing more than a hoax created by a pair of desperate filmmakers. Despite its age, the debate surrounding the film continues, and as public interest in cryptozoology persists, the Patterson-Gimlin film continues to capture the imagination of believers and the scorn of skeptics.

The Patterson Gimlin-Film: Catching Bigfoot on Camera. The Film

The Patterson-Gimlin film was shot on October 20, 1967, by friends and Bigfoot enthusiasts Roger Patterson and Bob Gimlin. Their footage, lasting just under a minute, was filmed near Bluff Creek, about 40 kilometers (24.85 mi) northwest of Orleans, California, a region known for its rugged terrain and frequent reports of supposed Bigfoot sightings.

The film shows a large, bipedal creature covered in thick, dark hair walking away from the camera along the creek bed. The creature briefly turns to look at the camera, revealing what some believe to be a distinctly non-human face. This brief moment has become one of the most analyzed frames in the history of cryptozoology and amateur filmmaking.

The story behind the film is almost as bizarre as the film itself. Roger Patterson, an amateur filmmaker, and author became fascinated with Bigfoot in 1959 after reading a piece about it by Ivan T. Sanderson in True magazine. In 1961, Sanderson wrote an entry book on Bigfoot, which Patterson lapped up. He wrote his own book (if one can call it that) on the topic, which was self-published in 1966.