The Patterson-Gimlin Bigfoot Film

On October 20, 1967, Roger Patterson and Bob Gimlin captured 59.5 seconds of 16mm film footage of what appears to be a large, bipedal, hair-covered creature at Bluff Creek in Northern California. The film has been debated, analyzed, and studied for over fifty years and remains the most famous piece of Bigfoot evidence.

The Men

Roger Patterson:

• Bigfoot researcher
• From Yakima, Washington
• Had written Bigfoot book
• Rented camera specifically
• Died 1972

Bob Gimlin:

• Patterson’s friend
• Experienced horseman
• More reluctant witness
• Still alive today
• Maintains account

The Location

Bluff Creek:

• Northern California
• Remote wilderness
• Previous Bigfoot reports
• Difficult access
• Six Rivers National Forest

The Day

October 20, 1967:

• Afternoon hour
• On horseback
• Searching for Bigfoot
• Following creek
• Then encountered subject

The Encounter

They saw:

• Large dark figure
• Across the creek
• Horses spooked
• Patterson fell
• Grabbed camera

The Creature

The subject:

• Estimated 7+ feet tall
• Hair-covered body
• Female (visible breasts)
• Walking bipedally
• Looked at camera

Frame 352

Most famous frame:

• Subject looks back
• Clear view of face
• Body proportions visible
• Most analyzed
• Iconic image

The Film

Technical details:

• 16mm Kodak film
• 59.5 seconds
• 954 frames
• Color footage
• Original preserved

Immediate Aftermath

Patterson:

• Took casts of footprints
• Multiple impressions
• 14.5 inches long
• Detailed dermal ridges
• Physical evidence

Analysis

Over decades:

• Film enhanced
• Motion studied
• Anatomy analyzed
• Experts divided
• No consensus

Supporting Analysis

Some experts say:

• Not human gait
• Muscle movement visible
• Body proportions wrong for suit
• Technology couldn’t fake
• In 1967

Skeptical Analysis

Critics argue:

• Man in suit
• Bob Heironimus claim
• Costume identified
• Hoax by Patterson
• Deathbed confession claims

Bob Gimlin

Throughout years:

• Maintains truth
• Never profited significantly
• Consistent account
• Passed polygraph
• Credible witness

The Compliant Muscles

Analysis shows:

• Muscle groups flex
• Under the “skin”
• Difficult to fake
• In 1967 technology
• Compelling detail

The Walk

Gait analysis:

• Not normal human walk
• Bent-knee gait
• Arm swing unusual
• Smooth motion
• Debated interpretation

Significance

The Patterson-Gimlin film is significant for:

• Only clear footage
• Extensive analysis
• Ongoing debate
• Cultural impact
• Definitive Bigfoot image

Legacy

The Patterson-Gimlin film remains the standard against which all Bigfoot evidence is measured. Whether authentic or the most successful cryptid hoax in history, it has defined the image of Bigfoot for generations.