The legend of The Siege of Ape Canyon begins in 1924, when a group of miners reported that they were terrorized by “ape-men” in the wilds of Washington state. A century later, writer-director Eli Watson tackles this definitive Bigfoot tale in his documentary marking the 10th anniversary of Small Town Monsters — the indie production house founded by Seth Breedlove to document America’s bizarre lost history.
The filmmaker leans on the expertise of researchers Marc Myrsell and Cliff Barackman, whose determination to find the exact site of the miner’s cabin grounds the film in historical geography. This investigative rigor is balanced by Tyler Hall’s sweeping cinematography of the Washington wilderness and Sam Rodriguez’s stylized black-and-white reenactments. While some viewers might wish for a clearer look at the creatures, the decision to keep them in shadow maintains the “midnight monster movie” atmosphere Watson is clearly aiming for.
“…1924…miners reported that they were terrorized by ‘ape-men’ in the wilds of Washington State.”
Documentaries often struggle with the disconnect that comes with century-old events, but Watson bridges that gap through the descendants of the miners. The film introduces Bette Mitchell, the great-granddaughter of miner Marion Smith, who discovered her family’s role in the legend through the filmmaker’s research. Watching these descendants uncover their ancestors’ traumatic night adds a layer of personal stakes, transforming the story from a campfire tale into a piece of reclaimed family heritage.
Ultimately, The Siege of Ape Canyon succeeds because it treats its subjects with respect while maintaining the pulse-pounding spirit of a midnight monster movie. Thanks to the exhaustive research provided by Myrsell and Barackman, the film feels definitive. As Braden Mitchell aptly puts it, this is ‘the Bigfoot story,’ and it happened in their own backyard. For anyone who finds themselves looking toward the tree line after dark, Watson’s film is a beautifully crafted love letter to the unknown.
"…succeeds because it treats its subjects with respect..."
