El hombre de una tierra salvaje

I was very saddened to read that Richard Harris died. He was a very fine actor who left an outstanding body of work. Man In The Wilderness really showcases this remarkable actors talent. Its based on a true story about Hugh Glass (here called Zack Bass) a man on a trapping expedition torn apart by a bear and left for dead. He travels miles and miles to get revenge(Jim Bridger was one of the men who left him). I'm amazed this man lived after such a savage attack and being left to die. Bass did some unusual first aid on himself, he rolled in maggots so they would eat the dead flesh off his body. This film has got an outstanding opening score. Its one of the best I ever heard. Harris's challenge is that he doesn't have a lot of dialogue and has to act like he is crippled and in pain for most of the film. John Huston is also fine as the sinister leader of the expedition who leaves him for dead.

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

Based on the same true story that inspired the much more recent "The Revenant", "Man in the Wilderness" is a truly impressive survival drama. It stars Richard Harris as Zachary Bass, one of a group of fur traders in the Northwest Territories in 1820. They've spent two years collecting their wares, and are now making their way South to a particular river that will take them to trading posts. However, as the film opens, Bass is very badly maimed by a bear. His companions believe he's a goner, and leave him behind. But Bass has an incredible will to live. His struggles to exist in the wilderness - and possible desire for revenge - form the balance of the film.

"Man in the Wilderness" is exquisitely shot in scope by the talented Gerry Fisher, written with heart by Jack DeWitt, and directed extremely well by Richard C. Sarafian of "Vanishing Point" fame. Bass' resolve is simply amazing, and Harris does a very fine job of creating a vivid and engaging character, a man who lived his life not particularly caring for what others consider "Gods' will". This man earns his sympathies honestly, and his situation is compelling every step of the way. There are some beautifully poignant moments throughout, both in the past (we see flashbacks to earlier parts of Bass' life) and present.

At the head of the supporting cast is a typically commanding John Huston as Captain Henry, the leader of the trappers who insists that everything be done his way. Henry demands that their ship continue to be transported along with men, mules, and supplies, despite the fact that it really slows them down. Henry Wilcoxon, Percy Herbert, Dennis Waterman, Prunella Ransome, Norman Rossington, and James "Scotty" Doohan are all fine as well.

There are some scenes that may be upsetting to some in the audience, but things remain convincing and believable for the duration of this well executed production.

Eight out of 10.

I can't say it any better than Jeremiah did. "In the dark trials of wilderness God's grace could still be found working in the heart of a wounded man. I first saw this film in 71 and had to sit through it again. In those days you could do that. You follow Zack from his early years of losing his mother to having God's love forced on him by a vicious minister. Zack never found much use in God in his life. An island of a man he is well respected tracker on the John Henry Expedition. As told by other commentators he is mauled by a grizzly (an amazing feat in movie making) even my kids had to admit that, and left to die alone by cowardly men. I was blown away by his ability to survive. He is just another animal when he manages to grab raw meat from a dying buffalo. Imagine finding a human now with the endurance and fortitude to be so resourceful as Zackery Bass. Richard Harris gives one of his best performances that I've seen and I've seen them all. My favorite scene is when he reads the bible to one of God's creatures and finds solace in the words. I recommend this film highly to just about everyone. If you think you're having a bad day just .remember what Zack had to do in order to see another day. The soundtrack too is another reason is see it. They just can't make 'em like this anymore.

Gritty, bloody saga of a man, left for dead by fellow trappers after being ripped to shreds by a bear, who drags himself through the winter wilderness to get his revenge on those who left him behind.

A true story, though if you want to look it up on the Internet, the mountain man's real name was Hugh Glass (not "Zachary Bass"). He managed (with no equipment or weapons) to get 200-300 miles to Fort Kiowa, and actually took no revenge on either of the two men who left him to die. One, interestingly enough, was a youth -- later very famous -- named Jim Bridger.

The movie leaves out a few details, such as his rolling in rotting logs so that maggots would clean out the infected wounds, since the real story defies belief, but Richard Harris does a superlative job in bringing this amazing character to life. Huston does his usual great job as the loony expedition leader, of course. I've seen this three times and still enjoy it. It leaves you with a rather unpleasant feeling that we modern men are a pretty sorry bunch of pussies by comparison