Watch Winnebago Man

In 1988, Jack Rebney, a middle-aged man with a quick temper and a thick Chicago accent, was hired to film a promotional video for Winnebago Industries, a company that produces recreational vehicles. The video was meant to showcase the luxury and amenities of the Winnebago vehicle, and Rebney was tasked with demonstrating these features while maintaining a professional and upbeat demeanor.

However, things did not go according to plan. Rebney struggled with the teleprompter and became frustrated with the crew, repeatedly swearing and yelling in exasperation. This behavior was captured on camera, and the resulting bloopers reel became a cult classic after it was circulated among TV production crews in the late 80s.

Fast forward to 2005, when Ben Steinbauer, a young filmmaker and fan of the Winnebago Man bloopers, sets out to find Rebney and discover the story behind the iconic video. What follows is a fascinating and complex exploration of fame, infamy, and the nature of human identity.

At first, Steinbauer's quest seems simple enough. He tracks down Rebney's name and discovers that he now lives in a remote cabin in northern California, where he has been living off the grid for years. Steinbauer visits Rebney and tapes their conversations, which often involve Rebney ranting about everything from politics to the decline of civilization.

As Steinbauer delves deeper into Rebney's story, however, he realizes that there is much more to the Winnebago Man than his cursing and yelling. Steinbauer uncovers a man who is deeply troubled and haunted by his past, including a traumatic experience during the Vietnam War and a failed marriage. Rebney is fiercely independent and fiercely private, refusing to let anyone get too close to him.

Despite his initial reluctance, Rebney grows to trust Steinbauer and opens up about his life, giving the filmmaker glimpses of vulnerability and introspection that are unexpected and moving. Rebney's reflections on fame and notoriety, as well as his own legacy, are particularly poignant.

Throughout the film, Steinbauer also interviews other people associated with the Winnebago Man video, including the sound engineer and the director. These interviews provide context and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the video, but they also reveal the darker side of the entertainment industry and the impact that viral fame can have on a person's life.

Overall, Winnebago Man is a fascinating and thought-provoking documentary that explores themes of identity, fame, and personal transformation. The film is both humorous and touching, with moments of levity and moments of reflection. Through the story of Jack Rebney, Steinbauer has created a portrait of a man who is both an icon and a human being, with all the complexity and contradiction that entails.

Winnebago Man is a 2010 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 71.