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Simply A Masterpiece

Powerful

Excellent but underrated film

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

Released in 1971, "Man in the Wilderness" stars Richard Harris as Zach Bass who's adventures are based on the real-life account of Hugh Glass, a man who survives a mauling by a grizzly bear and makes his way crawling and stumbling 200 miles to Fort Kiowa, in South Dakota, after being abandoned without supplies or weapons by fellow explorers and fur traders during General Ashley's expedition of 1823. Vengeful, Glass then sets out to confront his trapping partners who left him to die. Glass' story is also the basis of 2015's more popular "The Revenant." Whereas that movie was way more expensive and therefore has the better filmmaking, "Man in the Wilderness" has the better story. Zach Bass' long journey is one of discovery and possible redemption. As a child he experienced the life-stifling slap of legalism, which turned him off to God, but his sojourn, while harsh, is enlightening and conducive to grace. An Indian-birthing scene is a highlight while John Huston is notable as Captain Henry. This is a one-of-a-kind Western. The film runs 104 minutes and was shot in Arizona, Mexico and Spain.GRADE: B

Well I am putting this in after just watching the Revenant. I took another look at this film which scared the heck out of me as a kid. I can remember watching this on television, weekend days at least 2x. It is a horrifying story, but keeps your attention. The persistence and human will portrayed are somehow inspiring. The weird old boat and hunting party that drag along add to the weirdness that makes this memorable. This story of Hugh Glass has been told many times, I guess. The fear of native Americans on the frontier drives this plot of this film too. Portrayals like this trained me how to think in ways.....which are very hard to overcome. Having spent a lot of time in the woods, seeing bears (black only) and having spent time in the woods in winter, this story is very hard to believe. I can't imagine trying to fight a grizzly. As we all know now, watching survival shows, just getting water that doesn't make you sick is a big deal. You could die from something small like that let alone mortal wounds, no proper clothing, knives and hunting implements. This film seems to focus on the psychological, but its the tools and skills that would allow someone to survive.

This movie was idiotic, ridiculous and hard to watch. The long drawn out scenes were just painful (and I enjoy slow movies), the 'survival' shots weren't realistic and the whole ending was just…. strange. Indians sure do like being shot in these stupid movies don't they? I'm pretty sure they wouldn't just keep charging at men with rifles and cannon, lose scores of men but not actually really attack. Also pretty sure they had projectile weapons. And what was up with the stupid boat? The true story would have been far more interesting and there are other movies from this time frame that are way better… I wouldn't bother watching this one.

If you liked Jeremiah Johnson, you'll like this. Classic story of the fur trappers. Good period Garb, great acting by Harris and Huston. Moving plot. One of my all time favorite "Western America" movies. Harris, (Zach Bass) starts out as a veteran Scout for a Fur trading company heading West. Bass is attacked by a Grizzly Bear while hunting for meat for the Fur trading company. He is mauled and seems fatally wounded. Huston(Capt Henry) decides to leave him behind , with two guards, until he dies. Then the Indians get involved, the guards flee in fear of being killed, and Bass is left to fend for himself. The rest , I cannot tell. It is an inspiring movie, with Bass going back to childhood and his young adult years in dreams. Old Americana it is. and a great period movie. SEE IT!