Winnebago Man (2009) User Reviews

Jack Rebney shines, I wish I could have heard more of what he had to say!

[Hellmant · 8/10 · 22 November 2010]

'WINNEBAGO MAN': Four Stars (Out of Five)

A documentary exploring 'viral stardom' (sudden internet fame by accident) focusing on one man, Jack Rebney, and how it's affected his life. The film is co-written and directed by documentary filmmaker Ben Steinbauer, in his feature film debut. Steinbauer's past experience has been in the camera department on other films and he's directed two short films as well. He sets out, with no real plan, to find this man, Rebney, who was made famous by the internet in hopes of finding out who he really is and how he feels about his 'youtube' fame. Once he finds him he sort of aimlessly records video of him in an attempt to get him to open up to the camera, desperately hoping there's a story worth telling.

Rebney is a former CBS news broadcaster who quit when he got fed up with what he believes was the decay of the network. He later took a job on an RV commercial for Winnebago and was fired after a video of him circulated to his employers, by angry co-workers, of him constantly becoming frustrated on the shoot and swearing repeatedly in colorful ways. Copied VHS tapes of the video circulated to the public and Rebney became notorious for them, which later made their way onto the internet, specifically youtube, and made Rebney a star infamously known as the 'Winnebago Man' and 'The Angriest Man in the World.' When Steinbauer finds Rebney he's calm and living a peaceful life in a secluded mountain home in California. Steinbauer leaves and after some time passes Rebney begins contacting him and admits to putting on a show for him and is actually upset about the youtube video. When the director returns he finds Rebney blind and wanting to leave the world with a better reputation and has a lot to say.

The film is extremely funny as well as touching, a tearjerker in ways. Jack Rebney is a fascinating and lovable character who is extremely intelligent, honest and full of colorful dialog. When he really has something important to say he's often cut off by the director though who says no one wants to hear it (I wanted to hear it though and I'm sure others would as well). Steinbauer insists that he needs to open up more and talk about himself when in fact anything he has to say is interesting and entertaining. The film works despite it's flaws because of Jack Rebney and his performance. It could have been so much more though at the hands of a more talented director.

Watch our review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ntCQhhQwsc

A Look At Internet Infamy

[gavin6942 · 7/10 · 21 April 2015]

Jack Rebney is the most famous man you have never heard of - after cursing his way through a Winnebago sales video, Rebney's outrageously funny outtakes became an underground sensation and made him an internet superstar.

I confess that I was not aware of Jack Rebney or the "Winnebago Man" clips from YouTube. Of all the memes out there, this one somehow escaped me. But that in no way lessened my enjoyment of this film, because it was only partially about Rebney and more about Internet infamy, and the lives of those who have been shamed on the Internet. (Though, luckily for Jack, he was more honored than shamed.) I would have liked to know more about "Star Wars Kid", but that could easily spin off to be its own documentary, and possibly a far more fascinating one.

One Man's Human Condition...A Shot Heard Around The World

[AudioFileZ · 8/10 · 30 October 2010]

Ben Steinbauer's documentary about Jack Rebney is an interesting and entertaining piece of filmmaking. I realize there is a huge sub-culture of "YouTube junkies" mind-boggling in diversity and size. Because I do not regularly peruse YouTube videos I was unaware of one of the most iconic characters ever to achieve a kind of mass popularity in cyberspace: "Jack Rebney, The Angriest Man In The World". It is definitely a cultural phenomenon whereby a man who would otherwise be as unknown as any other has become a world-wide star. His dialog, and I'm not just talking about his profanity, has transcended the internet ending up even in Hollywood movies. The industrial video he made for Winnebago probably helped shift some units by helping dealers sell their product...maybe not? But, the outtakes, which originally only went to a few executives at Winnebago and the crew, have transcended time place and product & will "live in infamy" on the internet and within pop-culture.

How could one man's frustration shooting an "infomercial" come to this? Who is the man, the so-called "Angriest Man in The World"? What became of him after the video and, more saliently, is he still alive? These are some of the questions that Ben Steinbauer was interested in and he had to expend some effort, indeed, because Jack Rebney had long ago retreated and become a true hermit. Finally when Steinbauer found Jack, Jack was not often not honest, but still capable of great bursts of anger-many times still laced with language more suitable to jail and wartime. Jack is a juxtaposition who finds his notoriety irritating and intoxicating. He seems miffed that he is a kind of cultural icon due to the internet, more specifically due to film he thought shouldn't have ever existed in the first place. Perhaps in his seclusion he has found peace, but you get the feeling that under the surface he's mad as hell still with a lot of it centering around events culminating with the George W. Bush presidency. At one point I think Jack believes Ben's movie will to allow him to profess his manifesto regarding politics (and the general decline of the United States) which, it seems evident, is where Jack thinks his importance to his audience should lie. Ben tries to make it clear he seeking something more like how Jack got to the point he was as when he made the Winnebago video, that is what his fans are more interested in. This serves to irritate Jack and all grinds to a halt for quite some time. Ben does an end-around and finds a way to get back to Jack though and because of that we do end up getting this documentary.

As mentioned earlier, the film Winnebago Man is entertaining. We get a slice of Jack Rebney, though not a whole picture of who this man really is. The holes are unavoidable as Jack Rebney has covered his tracks, purposely fell away from the day-to-day trappings of civilization. Who Jack is, perhaps, is truly only known to Jack himself and he is playing his cards close.

In the end "Winnebago Man" fans are not terribly interested in Jack's life-story and/or his deeper views. The whole phenomenon rests on actually seeing a man voice "over-the-top" frustration so frequently and with, seemingly, bottomless profanity. Ben Steinbauer succeeds admirably by, first, finding the man behind the expletives who can still get just as frustrated and angry. This is what Jack's fans love him for...he's like us, but he has no need to fit in at all anymore. To coin Jack: "You believe any of that $#!+"?

To seek out a viral celebrity

[gortx · 6 September 2022]

Jack Rebney became an early unwitting YouTube sensation when a 1989 tape of outtakes from an RV Promotional film starring him were leaked on the site. Rebney's angry curse-strewn outbursts delighted millions who mocked his misery.

Director Ben Steinbauer decided to track him down. He had seemingly disappeared. The Winnebago company completely disassociated itself from Rebney. The small crew who shot the 80s video remembered the shoot well, but had no idea where he had gone. Finally, a P. I. gave Steinbauer a clue that lead to a meeting. Rebney had retreated to a remote mountain in northern California and lived alone.

About half an hour in, and the Documentary seemed complete. It lays out the backstory. Rebney is found alive and doing well enough. The end? Instead, Steinbauer inserts himself into his subject's life. Poking. Prodding. Asking him to go public. Address his "fans." It can be a fine line between journalism and intrusion.

After MUCH toing and froing, Steinbauer stages a happy ending of sorts. He convinces Rebney to travel down to San Francisco and attend a screening of his Winnebago Man outtakes for a gathering of his superfans at the Found Footage Film Festival. To be fair, Rebney seems happy to be out in public and meet his 'public'. A hermit getting a day out.

Early in the Doc, a pair of other superfans are interviewed. They tell Steinbauer that there is no reason to trace where Rebney has gone to. Why? They ask. Who wants to see the Wizard behind the curtain? As bemused as Rebney seems to be at the end, one has to wonder whether he would have been just a pleased - if not more so - if he had just been left alone.

Hilarious gem I never knew existed, dancing star wars light saber guy from Que makes an appearance which alone is worth a viewing.

[rjfromtoronto · 7/10 · 11 March 2022]

Jack is a guy right out of the 70s if you were a kid then, you always had that history teacher who liked to booze on the weekends and just dgaf on Mon or Fri. Reminds me of Dabney Coleman at his caustic best, long story short, if you like Docs that are a bit different and laughable "do me a kindness" lol, and watch this, it was well worth the $1 I payed today at a record shop for it, picked up 30 more at the same time, what a bargain! Lol.

If you liked Anvil, you're gonna LOVE this

[rduke72 · 10/10 · 7 June 2009]

Just came back from an advance screening by the Cinefamily in Los Angeles. Don't take it lightly when I state this is one of the best documentaries in recent years. It's the portrait of a man known to many simply as "The Angriest Man in the World," and it's a story of redemption, humanity, and oddly enough, an examination of comedy - what we're laughing at and how it affects those that become the object of our amusement.

It's best to simply know the premise and little else going in. Jack Rebney was the star of a viral video titled "Winnebago Man" before there even were such things. His profane tirades were passed around from VHS to VHS for years and are now readily available on YouTube. Documentary filmmaker Ben Steinbauer took it upon himself to find Ben, who was essentially living off the grid, and find him he does. What unfolds is at first funny and fascinating and eventually profound. It's easy to dismiss those in the videos you email back and forth each day, but "Winnebago Man" shows that there might be a compelling story there, and it might not be what you think.

Over the course of the film, Jack more than redeems himself, and his journey becomes our own. This isn't a film where we're made to feel bad about our actions or even feel bad for Jack. It merely asks us to think about the things we do and what they mean to those around us. And if something that we disregard as trivial becomes much more to others, was it ever so trivial to begin with? Should we embrace that? This is just one layer in a movie that is alternately hysterical, sad, and ultimately hopeful. Above all it is humane. I'm not sure who's distributing it or when, but I can't imagine someone walking away from the movie without a smile on their face.

That is, of course, unless you're easily offended by profanity.

Highly recommended.

interesting doc about a funny guy

[killercharm · 7/10 · 30 January 2023]

This is a documentary about the man in the hysterical outtakes from an industry film by Winnebago. He's Jack Rebney and he was making this company film in 1988 when the crew left on the cameras during his explosive reactions to his own inept readings. He carpets the place in f-bombs but here's the thing: with style. More accurately with aplomb. The outtakes went viral until finally Mr. Steinbauer decided to find Jack Rebney if he could. He found him on a mountain living all alone with his beloved dog. He had spent plenty of time thinking and thinking deep. He had gone zen. He saw the humor behind the whole thing and it ain't nothing. Ben Steinbauer goes home. Until. Luckily we find out that whole "sweet old man" crap was a dodge. Rebney HATES. He's still his cantankerous old self and can't hide it anymore. This is an interesting documentary about a funny bunch of videos.

Incredibly Touching And Entertaining Documentary

[aerodc · 10/10 · 7 February 2011]

Winnebago Man is a hands-down great film. For documentary lovers, this is a true winner. It has a great subject, and the emerging story was excellent. It's amazing what an interesting person Jack Rebney is and how much he represents. In a day and age of technology, how does one address the situation of Internet fame (for better or worse)? This film is a great testament to human nature.

Winnebago Man had me literally laughing out loud and also had me holding back tears. Sometimes even just listening to Rebney talk is funny in its own regard. Other moments were touching in how they represented the up and down nature of life.

I think you'd have to be stone-hearted to not enjoy Winnebago Man.

A fun watch and overall decently made documentary

[Jeremy_Urquhart · 7/10 · 12 February 2020]

Winnebago Man is about a viral star by the name of Jack Rebney, who was popular even before the existence of Youtube. He's one who I admit not being all too familiar with. With Rebney's video predating Youtube and then being one of its earliest icons once the platform was launched, I may have been slightly too young to remember him properly. But the first section of this documentary does a good job at summarising what the original video involved, why it became so popular among certain people, whilst also providing a truly fascinating look at how videos went "viral" before Youtube and the Internet as a whole made that process so much easier and instantaneous. The method of copying videos to physical tapes to spread them round looks exhausting, but I guess people made do with what they had. It may well be that in another 20-30 years, the way we currently share videos will look anarchic and far too time-consuming, thanks to unforeseen technological advances.

This part of the film was the most interesting to me for the above reasons, as well as for the insight it gave into the personal effects on a person who becomes a viral star. It delves into how there are often quite negative consequences, including unwanted attention, harassment, and in some cases even bullying. This is a fascinating subject that the documentary as a whole does somewhat deal with once the filmmaker tracks down Rebney, but not as explicitly or as in depth as it does here. There was a whole host of content that the documentary could have explored further here, and they perhaps should have taken the opportunity to split the film between more subjects beyond Jack Rebney. But on the other hand, he is an interesting person with an explosive, entertaining personality, so focusing on him was far from a bad idea.

That being said: the one main downside with this documentary may be that it had a slight lack of content, with its premise feeling stretched to what was barely feature length. It says most of what it needs to say and features most of its truly entertaining and thought-provoking scenes within its first half. That's not to say that the second half is terrible; moreso that it isn't quite as strong as what came before, although I did really enjoy the very final scene and the last line of dialogue from the film's narrator.

Overall, it's solid. There are better documentaries out there, but there are also a bunch that are much, much worse. It's a breezy, sometimes funny, occasionally touching look at an early viral star, and the upsides and downsides of having unexpected fame thrust upon you. It's certainly worth a casual watch if the premise piques your interest.

Can't you make your mind work?

[StevePulaski · 9/10 · 13 May 2011]

Some people see documentaries as pointless and boring films that just collect information about a topic "no one cares about." Totally not the case, especially with Winnebago Man. It is easily one of most entertaining documentaries I've seen and probably focuses on one of the quirkiest topics a film in this genre has ever touched on.

For those unfamiliar, "The Winnebgo Man" is a video from the late eighties that was passes around from VHS tape to VHS tape like a virus. The video consisted of a man, presumably in late forties or early fifties, named Jack Rebney swearing between cuts and takes off a commercial him and his crew were shooting over the course of two weeks. Normally, once a take is shot and something fails in the middle of the take, the camera immediately stops rolling. The crew decided they couldn't hit stop just when Jack Rebney messed up and decided to keep the camera rolling just a tad bit longer.

The lines Rebney drops make me laugh just thinking about them. Quotes like "Will you do me a kindness?" "Don't slam the f**king door...no more!" "God, I can't f**king make my mind work!" and "The acutrama that you will need, ACUTRAMA? What is that s**t?" are all just little tastes of the rage Rebney delivers in the four and a half minute clip. In 2005, a video sharing site named "Youtube" opened and the video as uploaded to the site currently boasting over six million views.

The real question was, what happened to Jack? Ben Steinbauer, the filmmaker responsible for this film, is hellbent on trying to answer that question. He calls in a private investigator to try and track down Rebney in hopes that he can answer one of his hundreds of questions. At first, it seems like a lost cause. He has no voting registration, no social networking accounts, and the Winnebago company stated after firing him for verbal abuse to employees they heard nothing from him and they didn't want too.

Ben finally finds Jack on a remote mountain in Northern California living a secluded lifestyle and being "a hermit" as he refers to himself. He has a a dog, he is going blind, and has a George Carlin/everybody's crabby grandpa type attitude towards everything. He is now seventy-eight years old and has published a book called Jousting With the Myth.

Ben is such a fan of "The Winnebago Man" clip that he shockingly did this out of the goodness of pure groupie curiosity. He is a likable guy and even goes into a detailed background about his obsession with the video saying how if he had a bad day at work he'd pop in the tape and also explain how he showed it to his grandmother and his dates.

Winnebago Man was included in a ten pack of Dvds my uncle purchased from the Found Footage Festival, a festival that two average joes named Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher put together showing random clips from VHS tapes they got from garage sales, thrift stores, etc. At the end of the film, Ben convinces Jack to make an appearance at the festival because the two men think of Jack like a movie star.

Being at the festival lands the brightest part of the film; Jack interacting with the fans he thought he never had. The boys ask him "What is an acutrama?" to spice things up. While the actual definition is an add on for something, Jack explains that he didn't know whether it was pronounced "acutrama" or "acutramaw." But he then goes onto say "When you're in Iowa, in a forrest, and it's 100 degrees it's f**king acutrama!" Starring: Ben Steinbauer and Jack Rebney. Directed by: Ben Steinbauer.

Outstanding Doc Meshes Insight and Humor

[peterchanson · 9/10 · 8 June 2009]

For many years, I've been entertained by the video I know as "The Angriest Man in the World," featuring a frustrated Winnebago salesman melting down during the hot summertime shoot for a promotional film. Originally distributed via VHS swaps and later disseminated on YouTube, the video comprising obscenity-laden out-takes is filled with quotable dialogue and deliriously funny meltdowns. When I had the pleasure of catching this doc about the video and its star during a sneak last night in LA, I expected little more than a quick and pithy revelation of the man behind the mad. However I was thrilled to discover a thoughtful, provocative, and even quite moving study of what it means to become an unintentional celebrity. The narrative surprises of this film are better discovered than discussed, but suffice it to say that Ben Steinbauer's utterly compelling and utterly hilarious doc should shoot to the top of your must- see list if it hits a festival near you. And while the movie provides unadulterated joy for those who have already joined the cult of Jack Rebney -- the Winnebago Man himself -- I'm confident that anyone interested in serious explorations of pop culture will be fascinated.

Wasted opportunity

[c131a · 4/10 · 10 November 2010]

Well if you are reading this, I am assuming that you already know what the documentary is about, so I will not cliff the storyline for you here.......... It's a great setup for a documentary, angry old guy, internet sensation, has a sort of cult following etc but the filmmakers let it all go to waste.

After getting lucky and be actually able to find and reach this guy, they simply do not let him talk. It seems like all they wanted him to do was do the same thing he did on those infamous tapes, what's the point of that?....... You do not get to know the man through this documentary at all, not sure why this film is praised so much, certainly tricked me into watching it that's for sure.

At one point the filmmakers wanted him to talk about his childhood and life and such and he informs them that he would rather talk about his political beliefs and why this country is going to hell and such and they simply stop the interview. Yes you read that right; they simply stop the interview and end it right then and there. Are you kidding me? Think of all the gems of wisdom we missed, all his wacky political theories, maybe some conspiracy theories, all lost in time now, never to be found again. By doing that the filmmakers simply gave us an extended "where are they now" sort of update. Hey say your catchphrase again for the audience; hey announce our radio station in a 2 second sound bite sort of thing. You do not need a documentary for that.

The filmmakers should be ashamed of themselves for this wasted opportunity and lapse of judgment and turning this into a childish hehehehe session. What a letdown.

Hilarious, Fascinating, Poignant -- As Great As "Anvil!"

[timerrill · 10/10 · 8 June 2009]

Alright, here we go: this is one of the best documentaries I've ever seen, on any subject. It's not only for members of the Cult of Rebney (in case you live under a g--damn rock, I'm talking about Jack Rebney: the Winnebago Man, the Angriest Man in the World, the original viral video star, and the greatest swearer who ever lived).

The film has comedy: Rebney is one of the great crotchety old men of all time.

It has mystery: who is this monumental man, where does he live, what's the deal with his anger, what the f--k is this thing?

It has commentary: most Americans have "room-temperature IQs," the Ford Fiesta (or is it Festiva?) is a great car, and Bush-Cheney-Rumseld-Rove all deserve hot pokers up their a--es.

It also has flies, towels, windshields, seat belts, yelling, doors slamming, s--t hitting the fan, all types of "accoutrama"...and, last but not least, Tony! (If you have no clue what any of this means, go to YouTube and search "winnebago man.")

See this film ASAP, ya g--damn jackass. Or you can put it up your fern, if you want to.

NO MORE!

Up Your Fern

[aciessi · 9/10 · 16 June 2015]

There is only so much to know about people who aren't willing to share who they are, but Ben Steinbauer tried milking every bit of information he could about the reclusive, well-read curmudgeon Jack Rebney, who is reluctantly the star of his own Outtake reel on YouTube. The result is a film, very similar to Alan Berliner's classic "Nobody's Business". In that, a filmmaker tries to get through to a broken down man. Jack Rebney is about as broken down as an old Winnebago, minus the accoutrement. As evident in the clip online, and in this documentary, Rebney hates the 21st century, and stupid people, and Dick Cheney... but mostly Dick Cheney. Jack is an exceptional human being, despite his temperament, and about as wise any elder you know of. Against his will, perhaps, he unravels here with the help of introspective filmmaker. This is a hilarious, fascinating documentary.

Gem of a movie, gem of a character

[sparklefur · 10/10 · 1 August 2009]

I just saw Winnebago Man at the Traverse City Film Festival. It was ironic because I originally had the same attitude as Jack has in the movie: why the heck would I want to watch a movie about some guy swearing on RV commercial outtakes? It's amusing but not really my idea of comedy I'd want to spend money on, so I almost didn't purchase a ticket. I decided to take a chance on it anyway, rarely has the TCFF steered us wrong (*cough* soccer *cough*) and I'm really glad I did! This movie, and it's main character Jack Rebney, is both funny and deeply philosophical. This is one of those films (and real-life characters) that you want to watch several times to pick up on all the layers. Not only is Jack Rebney the greatest swearer of all time, but he's also smart, sharp witted, annoying, and endearing all rolled into one man. I hope that a publisher does pick up his book, It would really be interesting to read an entire book of his thoughts, even better to have the book on audio read by him. Anyway, this movie is highly recommended, you won't be disappointed!

One of the finest documentaries I have ever seen! A MUST see!

[SteveHistory · 10/10 · 11 January 2012]

The filmmakers behind "Winnebago Man" have crafted a thoughtful, entertaining, and engrossing piece of documentary journalism. I had never seen the internet clip of Jack Rebney but I was hooked in the first five minutes of this movie. The director leads the viewers through his quest to find "the angriest man in the world" and the pay-off is well worth the ride. I can't say enough good about this documentary and just when you fear that the ending may turn out to be distasteful and unsettling the tide turns and you see a side to Jack that makes the entire viewing experience memorable.

My only frustration with this review is that there are only ten stars available--it deserved higher. In an age when Hollywood screenwriters seem nearly unable to write a decent script with a satisfying ending, this documentary sets the bar high.

A trip with this Winnebago man is well worth the effort!

So much promise

[hammer_thyme · 3/10 · 16 November 2010]

One of the few documentaries that I have been waiting for since the internet first introduced me to Jack Rebney. After seeing a trailer for the film i like most people couldn't wait to catch a glimpse of the film in its entirety. It starts off perfectly introducing us to the clips that made this man so famous. Then without warning it tanks and just keeps getting worse and worse. Not only does this filmmaker have no idea what he's doing but he actually came close to ruining Jack for me. With no clear direction, rhyme, or reason it becomes 90 minutes of garbage. Every single time I start to get interested in what Jack is about to say he is cut off and asked stupid questions no one wants to hear the answer to. I almost wish this Documentary had never been made well lets not go that far. I wish this Documentary had been made by anybody else then Mr. Steinbauer who has a knack for taking a good thing and just absolutely turning it into a pile of steaming ****. If i owned a time machine i would go back in time not to assassinate Hitler or save the world in anyway, but to make this Documentary myself for the rest of my life i will be wondering what Jack really had to say. His world views and his solutions to the problems we face today instead I have been left even more confused about the Man from the Winnebago commercials then i was from the outtakes. I would never normally trash a film to such degree but i hope all proceeds go to cure Jack glaucoma so he can see Ben well enough to punch him in the mouth for turning what could have been one of the greatest documentaries ever into a joke. With no information learned from this entire project I am amazed this film made it off the cutting room floor. Next time you want to make a Documentary Ben take my advice and produce it and nothing else, don't be on film, don't direct, and don't ruin anything else for me.

Jack Rebney: The Worlds Angriest Philosopher

[ianfarkas9 · 8/10 · 19 December 2010]

Summary: If you are like me, one of the greatest days of your life was the day you discovered "The Winnebago Man", a compilation of outtakes from a promotional video gone horribly awry. The reason for the brilliance of the video is a man named Jack Rebney, a man who forgot his lines, mercilessly harassed the crew, and commented on the idiotic nature of his own dialogue. After recovering from the epidemic of laughter that swept through the land, America was left with just one question: Who is Jack Rebney? Ben Steinbauer, a documentarian with nobility in his heart and courage in his mind, decided to step up to the plate and take the daunting task of tracking down Mr. Rebney. After multiple Google searches and a visit to a private detective, Steinbauer finally finds the true Jack Rebney, although the results are initially disappointing. A sweet, well spoken old man who lives a life of monk-like solitude in a remote cabin expresses remorse at his coarse language and attitude he adhered to in the past. Steinbauer, seemingly defeated, retreats back home, only to be contacted by Rebney a few weeks later with a startling confession: the innocent Jack Rebney Ben had met before was a charade, and the real Jack was dying to get out. From this point, we begin to see Jack Rebney as he truly is: a bitter, cantankerous, but somehow lovable old man who has an affinity for cursing.

Review: Over the next hour, we begin to see a genuine relationship grow between Ben and Jack, and this relationship is easily the strongpoint of the movie. Ben's patience and gentle nature acts as a perfect antithesis to Jack's short-fused attitude and explosive personality. As the two begin to bond, the audience takes a trip through Rebney's mind, finding potential clues as to why The Winnebago Man is the disgruntled, frustrated shell of a man he is now. Although the movie never probes as deep into Rebney's psyche as it ought to, leaving many questions posed at the beginning unanswered, it still provides a fascinating look at a terminally angry man. Although this journey through the mind could end up being dark and depressing due to the somewhat tragic nature of its subject, Rebney throws in enough absurdist quips throughout the movie to keep things light and entertaining, creating the perfect mix of comedy and drama. And yes, the movie is quite funny at certain points (a live appearance by Rebney at a comedy club left me in stitches.) Overall, Winnebago man fails on some level by sidestepping some of the darker elements of Rebney's character, but it more than makes up for it with a great dynamic between the two leads and some genuinely funny moments.

Grumpy Old Man

[SnoopyStyle · 8/10 · 14 August 2016]

Ben Steinbauer has been one of the many fans of the bootleg outtakes on VHS tapes of a Winnebago industrial promotional film. He is obsessed with the angry Jack Rebney swearing his way through the filming. Jack seems to be a tough man to find until Ben finds him as a zen-like caretaker of a remote fishing camp in northern California. Later, Jack reveals his true foul-mouthed angry old guy persona as Ben convinces him to meet his fans.

I didn't see the found footage tapes before this movie. After watching this film, I watched the footage and can see why it has gathered such a cult following. It's hilarious. The non-stop flow of expletives builds to a funny short. His angry tirades just keep coming. As for this documentary, it takes that tape and does the expected route of tracking Jack down. He doesn't disappoint. He's a grumpy old man and everybody knows at least one in real life. He has a quaint charm and one can't hate on the old guy going blind. Although the narrations could be cut back.

An interesting documentary subject

[oscar-35 · 6 February 2013]

*Spoiler/plot- Winnebago Man, 2009. Some raw video footage of a TV commercial pitch-man for motor homes gets bootlegged released on the Internet and makes him a celebrity. A documentary catches up with the pitch-man in retirement and let's him enjoy his new audience.

*Special Stars- Jack Rebney, Ben Steinbauer.

*Theme- Internet videos can cause some fame.

*Trivia/location/goofs- Documentary, Northern California near Reddening.

*Emotion- An interesting documentary subject that could only be due to the rise of the Internet and You Tube. This film speaks well of the power of the download.

Compelling and entertaining

[thatoldbookstore · 8/10 · 1 November 2010]

I had to say something after seeing this movie. I am a movie-alcoholic and watched this with very low expectations. I am not into viral videos and had never seen or been aware of Jack Rebney. I found myself at first afraid that Ben Steinbauer was going to make mistake and end up doing more damage than good. You feel for Jack when Ben finds him. I found myself worrying that this man would never get to say what he wanted and in a sense would be exploited all over again, ending in certain disaster. That could have easily happened. In one scene when Jack starts ranting about the evils of Dick Cheney, Ben stops him trying to get him to focus. I thought that was the big mistake that would end the film and and chance of us really learning more about Jack. But Ben was right to stop him. I have to give him props It seemed to me the process was healing for this already fascinating highly intelligent man, the sometimes angry Jack. In the end this experience seemed to help resolve what anger he had over the video going viral and the video outtakes themselves. This movie has allot going for it. It's a fascinating character study and much much more. It's funny at times and it just works beyond any expectations.

something they'll understand

[SteveSkafte · 10/10 · 1 December 2010]

I can't say that I've ever witnessed such a heartwaking and true cinematic representation of a human being in my life. Jack Rebney is shown from every possible angle as a complex, contradictory, and intensely intelligent man. The fact that he works so hard to subvert the form in which he is being captured is what makes this work so well. The documentarian aspects are good enough. But it's the subject on display that brings it together. Rebney isn't just a source of amusement, he's an example of true, real, complete humanity. Someone how achieved some measure of peace and happiness in life through self-acceptance and understanding. The anger is a side issue.

This is a great film.

Completely incompetent documentary about an interesting man

[Skullbussa · 3/10 · 31 October 2010]

This documentary is worth watching due to the vigor and articulate nature of the subject, Jack Rebney. My recommendation for viewing comes despite the clumsy efforts of the filmmaker, not because of them.

Director Steinbauer's exploitation of his subject crosses the line in such vulgar ways that it reminds me of Tod Browning's "Freaks". Mr. Rebney clearly is lonely, despite his solitary endeavors, and wants to share his mind with others. While Jack's opinions may or may not fit in with whatever narrative Steinbauer's trying to construct, to filter them out of the film is disgraceful and disrespectful to Mr. Rebney.

The director is an amateur. He has absolutely no idea how to harness Mr. Rebney's energy nor how to let the man tell his story without ham-fisted direct questioning in front of a camera.

I firmly believe that the vast majority of the accolades put upon this film are born out of good-will towards Mr. Rebney and not because of the artistic merit of this documentary.

Not a happy camper

[take2docs · 8/10 · 11 March 2022]

I'm with Jack Rebney -- I simply don't understand people's fascination with those over-hyped (yet admittedly entertaining) outtakes to the Winnebago marketing videos he hosted, back in 1989; footage which has gone onto attain popularity among certain circles and that made Rebney, much to his chagrin (supposedly), a cultural icon of sorts. But then, nowadays millions of folks are easily amused by countless, mindless viral videos; a phenomenon which to me is beyond reason also, but I somewhat digress.

Circa 2007, director and Rebney-fan Ben Steinbauer felt the need to seek out the subject of this documentary. Steinbauer's search ultimately led him, not to a cosmically ironic trailer park, but to a secluded shack nestled somewhere in the northern California boondocks. It was here Steinbauer discovered the one-time infomercial legend living the life of a recluse...with not one RV in sight, I might add.

At the time WINNEBAGO MAN was made, Rebney was in his high seventies. Apparently, he had no idea just how famous he had become for appearing in these iconic video clips until he was informed of the craze by Steinbauer. (Really?) As much as Rebney says he wants to be left alone, he welcomes repeated visits by the camera-toting filmmaker. Despite his claim of not wanting an audience, Rebney agrees to make an appearance at a San Francisco film festival, where he is treated as a celebrity and looked up to as an idol.

As cantankerous as Rebney is, he seems a likable fellow, as one gets the sense of a soft heart beneath that crusty, gruff exterior. You would have thought, however, that time spent living as a solitary in a peaceful wooded oasis would have brought some serenity to Mr. Rebney but lo and behold if Steinbauer doesn't find the same old cranky character as the one from those aforementioned outtakes.

The aged Rebney feels the need to want to express himself, but what exactly does he wish to impart to the world? The director tries to get the codger to open up a little but Rebney resists, a couple times practically telling BS to go take a hike. One question I would have asked Rebney is, if he disliked making those Winnebago videos so much, why he didn't just quit? Perhaps masochists come in different forms.

Here and there Rebney hints at wanting to speak about his political views but, disappointingly, the interviewer doesn't seem the least bit interested in this, despite it obviously being of utmost importance to the film's subject.

WINNEBAGO MAN feels as if it's composed of three parts: There's the first half-hour, which deals with the Jack Rebney of the film's title; the next half-hour, that focuses on a three-dimensional Rebney living as it were the life of Thoreau's "Walden"; and the final thirty minutes or so, which leads up to Rebney making a special guest appearance at said film festival. I enjoyed the second of these three 'parts' the most and as such would have preferred hearing more from Rebney's inner man, his contemplative elder side. Unfortunately, Steinbauer doesn't allow for this. A shame, since for me Rebney is far more interesting as someone who's said to have written a manuscript on religion and politics than the one-dimensional self-caricature so loved by his adoring fans. Indeed, I think the point Jack Rebney tries to make here is how much he would like to be taken seriously.

In the end, Jack Rebney is most known and liked for his excessive use of coarse language. But surely there's got to be more to it than that. After all, it takes no talent and zero originality to be able to swear (profusely). That said, it almost goes without saying that, for a cracker-barrel philosopher, Rebney's active vocabulary is rather limited.

Then again, maybe all that his fans want is to be tickled and not to have to think too much. Rebney as 'the Winnebago Man' was a notorious grouch and yet isn't it funny that, by this very act of being overly and perennially miserable, he's managed to bring smiles and giggles to many who've seen these outtakes. Here's one sourpuss who, far from being a downer, has inadvertently brought cheer to others. My guess is, not too many curmudgeons possess the natural charm to be able to pull that off.

Oh man, I loved it!

[alexscothern · 9/10 · 11 October 2023]

Over the years I had heard the term and reference to "the angriest man in the world", every now and again, so that was my hook to give this a try with zero expectations. Ah, I'm so so happy I did. I was riveted and heart warmed throughout. I think the journey in the film wraps up wonderfully and you'll be happy that you absorbed this enriching and uplifting show. No joke! I loved the 3rd act so much that I teared up a couple of times, and it is wonderful because the buildup of the 1st and 2nd act weren't yet a payoff.

Cursing/swearing is abundant, but nothing hateful or sexually negative, of which I am sensitive.

Watch this film! You'll be better for it.