I am one of Spike's granddaughters - I was actually there a lot of the time that this was being filmed. Since Gramp has been gone since 1982, this, along with his books, have become my treasures. I love being able to see him and hear his voice, see the horses I grew up with, the ranch and the country that I adore, and the house where I spent so much of my childhood.
Both of my parents grew up on homesteads in the Big Timber area. My aunt was Spike's teacher in the 4th grade. Mr. Hoffman, you are a great documentarian.
How wonderful. I have visited Spike's daughter Barbara in Big Timber. A beautiful place. Beautiful people. Spike was an extraordinary man. I am so fortunate to have known him. David Hoffman-filmmaker
I genuinely hope you enjoy one or both of my granddad's books. I love having them now that he is gone because he wrote the way he told stories...so when I read the books, I hear his voice.
Dear Bobby. What a wonderful comment. I so thank you for it. Your memory enriches my movie and allows others to live a little realistically in the world of Spike. David Hoffman -- filmmaker
My son turned me on to this and I absolutely enjoyed every minute of it. I will ack again to watch some more of this beautiful story and music ! I am 87 years old and love all the things my computer can take me to ! I'm in Minnesota.
Shenan68 - Thank you for communicating. You are so lucky to have grown up around Spike and the Montana culture your people created. The film is now a classic though I am saddened by the fact that only 4000 people have seen it during the six months that it has been on TH-cam. Good luck to you, David Hoffman - filmmaker
Dear David Hoffman, I am only thirteen years old and I have seen this wonderful movie and both of his fantastic books.There are not many people like Spike.I wish I knew him.
ltittlebrookfarmer: so nice to receive this post from you. The ranch must still be a spectacular place. And anyone connected to the Spike Van Cleve family must also be spectacular David Hoffman -- filmmaker
Thank you for your comment. Spike was extraordinary and unique. Yes. He was a cowboy like many others. But he was also a poet and a scholar who had gone to Harvard University and has written several books you might enjoy reading. David Hoffman-filmmaker
I count myself among the luckiest of folks to have grown up around a few men like Spike. What a great film. I wish more of these guys could be captured on film so the next generations could hear their voices.
Just wanted to say David you are an amazingly blessed film maker. God did well when he created you David. Thank you so much for the films you make. I can't watch this video enough. Being a horseman myself I have to say this video brought tears to my eyes. Coming from a family of rangers that came to Arizona on the Oregon trail I sincerely wanted to tell you nobody could have told Spikes story the way you did. Straight from the heart. Thanks for creating a masterpiece.
Who was the Cowboy? I enjoyed this film. There isn't any Men like him left these days. Enjoy what you learn from your Elders. My father is 87. I've learned more from him in the last few years than I did my whole life.
Thank you for asking. He was Spike Van Cleve from Big Timber Montana. He wrote several wonderful books of stories that you can get on Amazon including 40 years Gatherings. He was a heroic individual to me. David Hoffman-filmmaker
David Hoffman This is an awesome piece of the past. My Mom and Dad owned a ranch on Sweetgrass Creek, Big Timber and my Dad used to shoe Spike's horses back in the 40's and early 50's. My Dad loved the old ranch and left a piece of his heart there when he had to sell. I think it was Spike who had rodeos at his place and we have a few photos of my Dad on broncs. I have two of Spike's books and have enjoyed them immensely. I was very young when we left Big Timber but my parents always spoke of their friends and the years in Big Timber with deep affection.Thank you for capturing a remnant of a wonderful era and way of life.
Chucklez0022 thank you for your comments. How close you and your people were to Spike. How wonderful. What an extraordinary man, what an extraordinary place, and what an extraordinary time it was. I just visited Big Timber with my family this past summer and loved it again. Spent time with Spike's daughter. David Hoffman-filmmaker
tattoodboop the cowboy is Spike Van Cleve, the 4th generation on his spectacular ranch near Big Timber Montana. I suspect you can look him up on Wikipedia as he is the author of 2 fabulous books. David Hoffman-filmmaker
hello to all. Of course you can post my movie. I would be honored. I would also be happy to add some comments from my experiences with Spike. David Hoffman -- filmmaker
Just finished Spike's book "40 Years Gathering"; great stories, well written, humor, insight, humor, honest, humor and your video is a great complement to the book. You allowed me to see the man behind the words. Might be a terrific combination: video and book. Man, he was the transition between the old cowboy life, legends, philosophy and humor and this generation. I didnt realize he passed 30 years ago...thank you. Harvey, Los Angeles.
Been here 4 yrs..love that Crazy Mountain Range..this is one of my favorite videos of all my life. Im in Bozeman n i need to take another road trip to Big Timber
David, thanks for your reply. Gramp was indeed an incredible man and I am grateful I got to know him do well. Would it be OK with you if we (the Van Cleve family) posted this on our FaceBook page and the Lazy K Bar Ranch homepage? Do you want me to use this link?
This is the meaning of America… For hundreds of years, this is the reason why so many from around the world have gravitated towards America; “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”.
In addition to America’s open skies and prairies, this cowboy spirit even existed in the big cities… but instead of a Stetson, some years back, the “city slickers” wore Fedoras… These days, maybe a baseball cap if anything at all… Nevertheless, hopefully the spirit carries the same definition.
However, somewhere along the way the meaning of the United States of America has been changing but not for the better… I pray for the American Cowboy spirit never to ride off into the sunset and eternally continue to be in “G-d’s pocket”.
Thank you, David Hoffman for introducing an American treasure in Spike Van Cleve, “A True Authentic American Cowboy". May the true “American Cowboy” meaning always exist.
David, I didn't hear back so I thought I would comment again. I agree that not enough people have seen this. Would it be OK with you if we (the Van Cleve family) posted this on our FaceBook page and the Lazy K Bar Ranch homepage? Do you want me to use this link?
I am one of Spike's granddaughters - I was actually there a lot of the time that this was being filmed. Since Gramp has been gone since 1982, this, along with his books, have become my treasures. I love being able to see him and hear his voice, see the horses I grew up with, the ranch and the country that I adore, and the house where I spent so much of my childhood.
Im going to get 40yrs of gatherings...he was a good man 4sure..dont see em like that anymore
There are still cowboys out there, you just can’t see them from the road!
Both of my parents grew up on homesteads in the Big Timber area. My aunt was Spike's teacher in the 4th grade. Mr. Hoffman, you are a great documentarian.
How wonderful. I have visited Spike's daughter Barbara in Big Timber. A beautiful place. Beautiful people. Spike was an extraordinary man. I am so fortunate to have known him.
David Hoffman-filmmaker
I genuinely hope you enjoy one or both of my granddad's books. I love having them now that he is gone because he wrote the way he told stories...so when I read the books, I hear his voice.
Dear Bobby. What a wonderful comment. I so thank you for it. Your memory enriches my movie and allows others to live a little realistically in the world of Spike.
David Hoffman -- filmmaker
Thank you. I also loved that book. I even wrote a draft feature film script based on Terry and Cody. It was never produced.
David Hoffman- Filmmaker
My son turned me on to this and I absolutely enjoyed every minute of it. I will ack again to watch some more of this beautiful story and music ! I am 87 years old and love all the things my computer can take me to ! I'm in Minnesota.
Shenan68 - Thank you for communicating. You are so lucky to have grown up around Spike and the Montana culture your people created. The film is now a classic though I am saddened by the fact that only 4000 people have seen it during the six months that it has been on TH-cam.
Good luck to you,
David Hoffman - filmmaker
Dear David Hoffman,
I am only thirteen years old and I have seen this wonderful movie and both of his fantastic books.There are not many people like Spike.I wish I knew him.
Thank you for your comment. Montana is special. Spike Van Cleve was special. Horses are special.
David Hoffman
filmmaker
ltittlebrookfarmer: so nice to receive this post from you. The ranch must still be a spectacular place. And anyone connected to the Spike Van Cleve family must also be spectacular
David Hoffman -- filmmaker
Thank you for your comment. Spike was extraordinary and unique. Yes. He was a cowboy like many others. But he was also a poet and a scholar who had gone to Harvard University and has written several books you might enjoy reading.
David Hoffman-filmmaker
I count myself among the luckiest of folks to have grown up around a few men like Spike. What a great film. I wish more of these guys could be captured on film so the next generations could hear their voices.
Indeed I see you as very lucky Heath.
David Hoffman - filmmaker
Ahhh...salute from Seeley Lake, by God, Montana
An extraordinary man living in Gods country. Thanks for showing.
I like this old man and his horses and Montana. Nice video.
Best Video ,I've watched in a good while ! 🐎
Reminds me of my granddad who went to work as a wrangler on big outfit in New Mexico when he was about 13. Pretty neat video. Thank you!
Just wanted to say David you are an amazingly blessed film maker. God did well when he created you David. Thank you so much for the films you make. I can't watch this video enough. Being a horseman myself I have to say this video brought tears to my eyes. Coming from a family of rangers that came to Arizona on the Oregon trail I sincerely wanted to tell you nobody could have told Spikes story the way you did. Straight from the heart. Thanks for creating a masterpiece.
This is wonderful! I got to visit this guys ranch in Montana and ride with the next 2 generations. His books are great! Great job with the video.
Who was the Cowboy? I enjoyed this film. There isn't any Men like him left these days. Enjoy what you learn from your Elders. My father is 87. I've learned more from him in the last few years than I did my whole life.
Thank you for asking. He was Spike Van Cleve from Big Timber Montana. He wrote several wonderful books of stories that you can get on Amazon including 40 years Gatherings. He was a heroic individual to me.
David Hoffman-filmmaker
David Hoffman This is an awesome piece of the past. My Mom and Dad owned a ranch on Sweetgrass Creek, Big Timber and my Dad used to shoe Spike's horses back in the 40's and early 50's. My Dad loved the old ranch and left a piece of his heart there when he had to sell. I think it was Spike who had rodeos at his place and we have a few photos of my Dad on broncs. I have two of Spike's books and have enjoyed them immensely. I was very young when we left Big Timber but my parents always spoke of their friends and the years in Big Timber with deep affection.Thank you for capturing a remnant of a wonderful era and way of life.
Chucklez0022 thank you for your comments. How close you and your people were to Spike. How wonderful. What an extraordinary man, what an extraordinary place, and what an extraordinary time it was. I just visited Big Timber with my family this past summer and loved it again. Spent time with Spike's daughter.
David Hoffman-filmmaker
tattoodboop the cowboy is Spike Van Cleve, the 4th generation on his spectacular ranch near Big Timber Montana. I suspect you can look him up on Wikipedia as he is the author of 2 fabulous books.
David Hoffman-filmmaker
hello to all. Of course you can post my movie. I would be honored. I would also be happy to add some comments from my experiences with Spike.
David Hoffman -- filmmaker
Just finished Spike's book "40 Years Gathering"; great stories, well written, humor, insight, humor, honest, humor and your video is a great complement to the book. You allowed me to see the man behind the words. Might be a terrific combination: video and book. Man, he was the transition between the old cowboy life, legends, philosophy and humor and this generation. I didnt realize he passed 30 years ago...thank you. Harvey, Los Angeles.
One of the finest short films I have ever seen. You just gravitate to this fella, kinda like his horses do. Awesome
Thank you Angelo. I feel that same way about Spike Van Cleve and was proud to make this documentary short subject on him.
David Hoffman - filmmaker
Been here 4 yrs..love that Crazy Mountain Range..this is one of my favorite videos of all my life. Im in Bozeman n i need to take another road trip to Big Timber
Great video. I would have enjoyed riding with Spike.
Wonderful documentary.
Beautiful video!!!!!
Thank you so much. I feel that way also.
David Hoffman - filmmaker
David Hoffman
- I love it too!
GREAT video . . . thanks for sharing!!!
Thanx for this ...GREAT
A true Cowboy! Spike.
What a gentle gentleman
Yes he was.
David Hoffman - filmmaker
@coloneljj - You are a lucky man....
David Hoffman - filmmaker
David, thanks for your reply. Gramp was indeed an incredible man and I am grateful I got to know him do well. Would it be OK with you if we (the Van Cleve family) posted this on our FaceBook page and the Lazy K Bar Ranch homepage? Do you want me to use this link?
Awesome video!
I learn much about this amazing video...
This is the meaning of America… For hundreds of years, this is the reason why so many from around the world have gravitated towards America; “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”.
In addition to America’s open skies and prairies, this cowboy spirit even existed in the big cities… but instead of a Stetson, some years back, the “city slickers” wore Fedoras… These days, maybe a baseball cap if anything at all… Nevertheless, hopefully the spirit carries the same definition.
However, somewhere along the way the meaning of the United States of America has been changing but not for the better… I pray for the American Cowboy spirit never to ride off into the sunset and eternally continue to be in “G-d’s pocket”.
Thank you, David Hoffman for introducing an American treasure in Spike Van Cleve, “A True Authentic American Cowboy".
May the true “American Cowboy” meaning always exist.
Thank you for your time,
Fred C.
Oh after reading the post I remember his name was Spike. I will look for his books.
David, I didn't hear back so I thought I would comment again. I agree that not enough people have seen this. Would it be OK with you if we (the Van Cleve family) posted this on our FaceBook page and the Lazy K Bar Ranch homepage? Do you want me to use this link?
Horses we watch in the video,are all paint and quarter horses?
Good day, I clicked on the link in the discription but it wasn’t able to take me to the documentary. Is there another way to watch it?
Only this way -www.amazon.com/dp/B0007OU4OQ
David Hoffman - filmmaker
Lovely video. Just wondering when it was filmed?
Around 1977.
David Hoffman - filmmaker
"In God's Pocket"