I haven't read the book, or seen the film. But, i do remember when the guy got eaten. We had recently returned from Yellowstone, and I was reading a book called "Death in Yellowstone" about all the ways people end up getting killed in the park. Of course, getting eaten by a bear is one of them. Apparently, they will eat you while you are still trying to bargain your way out of it. They aren't bothered by screaming and crying and things like that.
So, this thing caught my attention at the time, because it fit in with the book so well.
I saw an interview on the news with a Ranger who basically said they always knew the guy was going to get killed, and they could do nothing to convince him to leave the bears alone.
I'd like to see the film, I'll have to pay attention to the schedule and get it on the Tivo.