MAD COWBOY

The surprising odyssey of a 4th generation Wyoming cattle rancher who turns "vegan" and overcomes a paralyzing tumor, who along with Oprah wins a free speech battle against the Cattlemen’s Association, and who dares to inform the public about the dangers in our food and the inhumane treatment of animals, all while touching our hearts.

"In Montana it's probably safer admitting to being a cattle rustler than to being a Vegetarian."

-- Howard Lyman

Mad Cowboy is an unforgettable story that follows the life of Howard Lyman, a 4th generation Montana cattle rancher/slaughterer, turned vegan. Born into the organic farming tradition his grandfather brought to the family, Lyman returns from college bent on teaching his farmer father agribusiness, "the wave of the future." But the untimely death of his brother and a tumor that leaves him paralyzed lead this self-proclaimed agricultural "chemical junky" to question whether his practices are at the root of the family's health problems, and perhaps something larger and more ominous. Reminded as well about the love he once experienced for the natural world and the awareness, sensitivities and feelings that animals possess, he questions the price we all are paying for the use of the chemicals, hormones, enzymes and other new methods to increase output. He vows if he lives after spinal surgery to "do whatever it takes" to restore healthful, humane practices to farming.

He recovers. He leaves the family farm, runs for congress and devotes his life to agricultural and animal rights reforms. Remember when Oprah was sued for saying "I'm never eating another burger again…?" It was in response to Howard Lyman's comment "… they're feeding cows to cows…" on her show. He was the first whistle-blower to bring public attention to the reality of Mad Cow Disease. Subsequently they were both sued for speaking out about the risks associated with the processing of meat. Their victory was big news, but it was only one small step. Lyman continues to emphasize the tremendous power of agribusiness in the U.S. and around the world.

Shot in a riveting style throughout the U.S., England, Scotland and Switzerland, Mad Cowboy is a powerful portrayal of humanity’s relationship to farm animals. There are scenes with Howard Lyman "communing" with pigs and cows that will linger with viewers for a very long time. At the film's core is a critical message of humaneness and compassion.

[US; 2005; 60/110 minute versions]