Okie Noodling

March. 10,2001      
Rating:
7.2
Trailer Synopsis Cast

For centuries, a unique breed of fishermen has been catching monster catfish with their bare hands in the rivers and lakes of Oklahoma. Today, the tradition of "noodling" still has Okie anglers hooked. This documentary by Bradley Beesley features interviews with hardcore handfishing veterans as well as footage of real noodlers in action. Set against an original musical score by rock band The Flaming Lips, Okie Noodling offers an anecdotal look at a most unusual piece of Midwest American culture.

Reviews

Hellen
2001/03/10

I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much

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Stometer
2001/03/11

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

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Frances Chung
2001/03/12

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

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Freeman
2001/03/13

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

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MartinHafer
2001/03/14

After the documentary OKIE NOODLING debuted, the public's knowledge of fishing for monster catfish by hand has become widespread--even though up until this film practically no one outside of Oklahoma and a few other Southern states had ever heard of this bizarre practice. As a result of OKIE NOODLING, shows like "Dirty Jobs" and other documentaries on the topic have emerged--and people all across America are mesmerized by these odd fishermen! Unlike boring normal fishing, a 'noodler' is a guy who likes swimming and diving in reservoirs for giant catfish with no rod. Instead, the goal is to get the monster fish to bite the noodlers and then the noodler wrestles the fish to the shore or a waiting boat. Pretty macho and crazy stuff, as noodlers are occasionally drowned in the process and I sure as heck would not want to catch a flathead or blue cat this way!! In addition to a very interesting topic, the film excels by creating excitement and interest in this bizarre subculture without mocking these people. Instead, it's like a visit to new friends who take you out for a day's fun. Amazing.

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dendo
2001/03/15

I stumbled into this little gem one late night on a cable educational channel, of all places. I watched as the scenes unfolded, and couldn't believe what I was seeing! To watch these men pull MONSTER catfish out of murky holes with their bare hands, fish so large it took 3 men to get them into the boat, it was an amazing spectacle. I told my father-in-law about this movie, and he was sure I had made it all up. I was happy to find this posting to prove my story, and I intend to purchase the movie for his next Christmas gift! Bottom line: This movie is too weird and fantastic to be missed by anybody who likes the offbeat and outdoor sports.

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SAUSAGIAN
2001/03/16

I bought this DVD on a hunch...I am a fairly avid fisherman, but had never heard of people wrestling catfish out of holes and wrestling them w/ their bare hands!! It is totally bada$$ to watch. I would HIGHLY(wink, wink)recommend this documentary to all who enjoy the unusual, and strange things that make 'Merica the beautiful country she is. It's nice to see a documentary about the blue collar and truthful side of this country, not to mention how utterly insane it is to watch generations of Oklahoma men(and on woman too!)pull 70 pound catfish out of the water barehanded. PLEASE CHECK THIS OUT.

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CineRobot
2001/03/17

My dad used to work with this guy when he worked for the railroad who was missing part of his pinky finger. Both his hands would sometimes be riddled with scabs and scrapes when I'd see him while visiting my father at the depot. He was a noodler. Cuts, scrapes, missing digits and toes (he also had less toe than normal because of his hobby) are all part of what it means to be a noodler. What is noodling? It is the little known art of catching giant sized catfish with nothing but your bare hands and feet while submerging yourself in muddy creeks, rivers and lakes and letting the catfish clamp down on whatever it feels like chomping. It's part fishing, part swimming, part hunting, part wrestling and part crazy to the uninitiated. Okie Noodling is a terrific slice of Americana documentary that flaunts its ruralness with pride. I'm an Okie, born and raised in the eastern part of the state. I've never noodled but have relatives who do and have dined on their catch willingly and with glee at the tastiness of the catfish fried up good and right. I like the fact that Okie Noodling was obviously made by Oklahomans who never condescend or wink smugly to the camera as sometimes happens with Americana based docs. Music by The Flaming Lips too.

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