"Ohio: Wild at Heart" brings the Buckeye State to the big screen
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Locals will recognize scenic Alum Creek State Park in the "Ohio: Wild at Heart" documentary. Photo: Courtesy of MacGillivray Freeman Films / Copyright © State of Ohio
It's easy to take Ohio for granted if you've been here a while, but a new film will remind you of all its natural beauty on the big screen.
Filming the news: The state spent about $2 million on "Ohio: Wild at Heart," a 45-minute IMAX documentary produced by California's MacGillivray Freeman Films and narrated by Buckeyes legend Archie Griffin.
- It's now playing at COSI (free with museum admission) and local AMC theaters (group bookings only).
Zoom in: The film focuses on our relationships with the outdoors, from Lake Erie birders and ice fishers to the conservationists protecting Hocking Hills canopies.
- Our most famous hiker, Grandma Gatewood, gets a shoutout, and Gov. Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine make a cameo.
💭 Alissa's thought bubble: The cinematography is breathtaking. I especially appreciated the wintertime segments, as I usually avoid the outdoors that time of year.
Yes, but: At just 45 minutes, it often feels more like a promo video than a documentary.
- It also frames our green spaces as an inspiring "comeback story" — but many would argue that the story (and work) isn't over yet.
The bottom line: "Ohio: Wild at Heart" is still beautiful and entertaining and is the perfect length for a school field trip, especially since it includes a classroom activity guide.
