BIGFOOT, THE PATTERSON-GIMLIN FILM

THE PATTERSON-GIMLIN FILM: A DEEP DIVE INTO BIGFOOT’S MOST FAMOUS FOOTAGE

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THE PATTERSON-GIMLIN FILM

In the crisp autumn of 1967, two men rode their horses along the rugged terrain of Bluff Creek, California. The forest was quiet, save for the soft murmur of the creek nearby. Suddenly, they saw it, in the distance, a large, hairy figure moving steadily along the riverbank. One of the men scrambled off his horse and grabbed his camera, heart pounding as he removed the lens cap. He focused the camera on the creature. It was an enormous, upright figure covered in dark hair, his hands sweating the man began recording. The creature glanced back at them, then disappeared, striding into the wilderness and into legend.

The Patterson-Gimlin Bigfoot film, shot on October 20, 1967, is one of the most iconic pieces of footage in cryptozoology, sparking debates for over five decades. Filmed by Roger Patterson and Bob Gimlin in Bluff Creek, California, the grainy, shaky footage allegedly shows a female Bigfoot, often referred to as “Patty,” walking calmly through the forest before disappearing from view.

THE STORY BEHIND THE FILM

Patterson and Gimlin were out in the forest that day specifically searching for evidence of Bigfoot. Roger Patterson had a deep interest in cryptozoology and had previously written a book about Sasquatch. He was passionate about proving the existence of the creature and had been researching sightings in Northern California, particularly around the Bluff Creek area where the famous footage was captured.

At the time, the area was known for numerous Bigfoot sightings, and Patterson wanted to document any potential evidence on film. He convinced his friend Bob Gimlin, an experienced outdoorsman and tracker, to join him on the expedition. The two men set out on horseback, prepared for an extended trip in the hopes of spotting or finding traces of Bigfoot, and it was during this search that they claimed to have encountered the creature, leading to the now-famous footage.

The resulting footage, lasting less than a minute, shows a large, bipedal, hair-covered figure walking along a creek bed. The creature briefly glances at the camera before continuing its stroll, arms swinging naturally as it moves away.

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE FOOTAGE

The figure in the film is muscular, covered in dark hair, and walks with a distinctive gait, with arms longer than a human's and a fluid, relaxed motion. Unlike many earlier claims of Bigfoot sightings, this wasn’t a fleeting glance or a blurry shape in the distance. "Patty" was out in the open, clearly visible for several seconds. Some experts pointed out anatomical details that would be difficult to replicate with a costume, such as visible muscle movement and a non-human stride.

The anatomical shape and movement of the creature captured in the film have been hotly debated and analysed for decades, with key details that make it stand out from what many would expect from a human in a costume. Here are some descriptive elements that have caught the attention of experts and enthusiasts:

Anatomical Features:

Head and Face

The creature's head appears conical, with a noticeable lack of a visible neck. Its head slopes backward, which differs from the typical human skull structure, giving it a more primal or ape-like appearance. Some believe this sloped shape could be an indication of a sagittal crest, a feature found in some great apes.

Torso

The torso is large and barrel-chested, with broad shoulders that appear wider than a human's, adding to the bulk and power of the figure. Unlike most hoaxes where costumes often have static padding, some observers claim to see the shifting of muscle beneath the fur, suggesting that the creature's body has a degree of anatomical realism beyond just a simple suit.

Breasts

One of the most striking features of the creature is what appears to be visible breasts, which led many to speculate that this is a female Bigfoot, nicknamed "Patty." This is considered an unusual detail, as it would be a rare and complex addition if it were simply a costume, especially in a time where special effects were far less advanced.

Arms

The arms are significantly longer than a human's, extending almost to the knees, and swing naturally with a wide, fluid motion as it walks. This arm length is often cited as one of the features that would be difficult to replicate by a human actor, as it doesn’t match standard human proportions. The long arms are similar to what you’d see in great apes like gorillas, adding to the creature's otherworldly appearance.

Legs and Gait

The legs of the creature are thick and powerful, with a deep bend at the knees as it walks. Unlike the upright gait of a human, "Patty" exhibits a more pronounced, swaying side-to-side motion, with bent knees that remain flexed throughout the stride. This gait, often referred to as a "compliant" walk, is different from the stiff-legged walking pattern humans tend to display.

This fluid movement, combined with the unique muscle structure seen in the thighs and buttocks, has been pointed out by experts in biomechanics and anthropology as an authentic trait that would be difficult to mimic convincingly in a suit. In particular, the "bounce" seen as the figure walks suggests weight and mass distributed in a way that's consistent with an animal of its size and musculature.

Movement and Behaviour:

Fluid Motion

The creature's motion is steady and smooth, not erratic or hurried, which adds to the impression that it’s a living being, not a human pretending to be one. The arm swing, leg movement, and forward momentum all appear natural, with no obvious signs of awkwardness that would suggest a person in a costume struggling to maintain balance.

Turning the Head

At one point in the footage, the creature briefly turns its head toward the camera, a motion that has become iconic. The head turn is slow and deliberate, with the torso remaining mostly stationary. This kind of movement suggests an awareness of its surroundings, again reinforcing the sense that it is a living being reacting to an unexpected encounter, not someone playing a part.

Mass and Gravity

One of the most compelling aspects of the movement is the sense of mass and gravity. The creature’s footsteps cause visible indentations in the ground, and the way its body moves suggests significant weight. Costumes tend to be light and cumbersome, and actors in such outfits often struggle to make their movements look natural. In contrast, the figure in the film seems to move with the grace and heft of a large, powerful animal, further casting doubt on the idea that it’s just a human in a suit.

Stride Length

Measurements taken from the scene suggest that the stride length is longer than what would be typical for a human, especially when considering the creature's bent-knee posture. This extended stride, combined with the fluid walking motion, suggests a gait adapted to its large size, which would be challenging for a person to replicate naturally without artificial aids.

THE SCEPTICS THEORY

While the footage has become a staple in Bigfoot lore, it's also been the target of scepticism. Many believe that the film is a hoax, pointing to the possibility that it was simply a man in a suit. Some sceptics argue that the figure's movement resembles that of a human actor, possibly hired by Patterson to stage the encounter.

Over the years, several people have come forward claiming involvement in the hoax. The most famous is a man named Bob Heironimus, who claimed he wore a gorilla suit to help Patterson create the fake footage. However, no conclusive evidence has ever emerged to prove or disprove these claims, and the suit itself has never been found.

Bob Heironimus

In 1998, decades after the Patterson-Gimlin film was shot, Bob Heironimus came forward, asserting that he was the person wearing the Bigfoot suit in the film. His confession raised eyebrows and fuelled scepticism about the authenticity of the footage. Here are the key elements of his claims:

The Suit

Heironimus claims that Roger Patterson asked him to wear a gorilla suit and play the role of Bigfoot in a staged event. According to Heironimus, the suit was a simple costume made of horsehide, with a headpiece that covered his own face. He also claimed that the suit was bulky and uncomfortable to wear.

The Plan

According to Heironimus, Patterson had concocted the idea of filming a Bigfoot sighting to generate interest (and potentially financial gain) in the growing field of cryptozoology. Heironimus said Patterson never explained his exact plans, but he felt the stunt was designed to create the illusion of a real Bigfoot encounter. Heironimus stated that he was paid around $1,000 for his participation, though he mentioned that he never actually received the full amount promised.

The Filming Day

Heironimus claimed that on the day of filming, he put on the suit and walked in the manner Patterson directed, through the area where the footage was shot. He described walking with the large, heavy suit on, trying to mimic a non-human gait. After the film was completed, Heironimus returned home, assuming the footage would be a small-time event and that nothing would come of it.

The Reason for Delayed Confession

Heironimus didn’t come forward with his story for over 30 years, raising questions about why he stayed silent for so long. He claimed that he didn't want to cause trouble for his friends or involve himself in the controversy earlier. Additionally, he said he had nothing to gain from telling his story, as he believed Patterson and Gimlin would continue denying the hoax.

On the other side, some scientists and experts in biomechanics have defended the authenticity of the footage. Special effects experts from Hollywood have commented on how difficult it would have been to create such a realistic costume, especially in the 1960s.

MODERN ANALYSIS

Advances in technology have digitally stabilized and enhanced footage of Bigfoot, allowing for detailed analysis and sparking speculation within the cryptozoology community. The refined footage reveals intricate details of the creature's movements and appearance, prompting renewed field investigations to gather further evidence. While not definitive, the enhanced footage suggests the possibility of a genuine cryptid, driving a fresh wave of interest and exploration in the enduring mystery of Bigfoot.

Some analysts have even noted what they believe to be visible breasts on the creature, suggesting it was a female Bigfoot. This detail, they argue, would be an odd choice for a hoaxer to include, as it lends an air of realism that a prankster might not consider.

THE LASTING LEGACY

The Patterson-Gimlin film remains one of the most enduring mysteries in cryptozoology. For believers, it’s the best evidence of Bigfoot’s existence; for sceptics, it’s a well-executed hoax. Patterson passed away in 1972, but Gimlin, who initially stayed out of the spotlight, has since spoken more openly about the encounter, maintaining to this day that the footage is genuine.

SCPUK CONCLUSION

At SCPUK, we have had a complex relationship with this video and the concept of Bigfoot in general. It has sparked numerous debates among our team members. Cryptids, such as Bigfoot, are a challenging topic for those interested in the paranormal. Bigfoot is often considered the pinnacle of cryptids, and the Patterson Gimlin footage is viewed as its most prized possession. Despite the seemingly implausible idea of a large ape-like creature living undetected in our forests with minimal evidence of its existence, we must acknowledge that this video footage appears to genuinely capture the legendary creature. It presents a paradox - while we may not entirely believe in the existence of Bigfoot, we do consider the Patterson-Gimlin footage to be authentic. It's a puzzling situation that leaves room for interpretation.