Le convoi sauvage

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.

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.

Savage and unrelenting, but, compassionate and immensely rewarding tale of a fur trapper, near-fatally mauled by a bear, surviving to exact revenge upon those who left him for dead. A distant and withdrawn character, Zachary Bass (Harris), who through a series of ordeals, recalls both the tumultuous and neglected events in his life that he is now compelled to resurrect. His quest is both a harrowing and moving experience, with a sincere, thoughtful performance by the late Richard Harris.

"Man in the Wilderness" boasts breathtaking scenery, a memorable score, and supporting performances played with conviction, particularly by John Huston and Percy Herbert. While it might draw parallels with Harris' "Horse" trilogy, this role is a more complex characterisation, developed without the benefit of dialogue, but through actions, expressions and emotions.

I've read reviews of this film that claim that the movie is uninvolving and gratuitously violent, but nothing, in my opinion, could be further from the truth. If ever there was a character with whom you could empathise, and follow to a poignant (and satisfying) conclusion, Zachary Bass is that character. A metaphoric journey from his own personal "wilderness" to a state of self consciousness in both his existence, and purpose. If ever there was a movie that could depict the challenges that he would face, and intertwine them with the complex motivations for his desire to survive, "Man in the Wilderness" is that movie. A rare gem.

Excellent period film, story of survival in the bleak, bleak wilderness. Richard Harris plays a fur trapper in 1820s America who is left for dead by his expedition party after surviving a bear attack. Harris (amazingly) manages to keep himself alive and catch up with the hunting party. Minimal dialogue and action. More a mood piece than anything else, but a very effective one.

I really enjoyed "Man in the Wilderness". It's fairly obscure, and its easy to see why. It basically presents nature as hellish and threatening in every way. It also (wonder of wonders) presents the situation realistically. Most films that take place in the 1800s look terrifically groomed and contemporary, as if the stars had spent the day filming and the night relaxing in a jacuzzi. Not so here. This is grimy and gritty. Lots of gray and black and brown. Harris looks dirty and beat-up. I love it.

I also love all the scenes of the expedition members pulling that big, muddy boat all over creation.

A really good film. Highly recommended if you like films that attempt a certain realism - like robert altman's "McCabe and Mrs. Miller"

The movie narrates how Richard Harris is attacked by a bear and is abandoned by his mates who are carrying a boat with furs to civilization . The misfit group is commanded by the paranoid John Huston and they are pursued by Indians . Harris survives and will face down lots of risks , dangers and adventures and he then sets off in pursuit his previous colleagues , trying to execute his revenge .

In the picture there is western action , thrills , tension , spectacular struggles and riveting landscapes . The movie belongs to the Western sub-genre that had been made during the 70s as central theme 'the fight of a man against natural environment' , such as : ¨Jeremiah Johnson (by Sidney Pollack)¨, ¨The man called horse (by Eliott Silverstein and also starred by Richard Harris)¨ and ¨Return of a man called Horse (Irwin Keshner)¨. Harris' character is based on actual mountain man Hugh Glass , one of the two men left behind to await Glass' death was a very young Jim Bridger . The highlights of the movie are the surrealist trip of the ship amongst the snowy land with a mast in cross-shape under an impressive musical background by Johnny Harris and the survival fight , facing off wolves , bear and Indians . Interpretation of actors is top notch , but especially John Huston is frankly well . The supporting cast is formed by important secondaries as the veteran Henry Wilcoxon (The Crusades) , James Dooham (Star Trek) , Percy Herbert (Tobruk) , Dennis Waterman (Sweeney) and Prunella Ramsome (Island of the damned) , among others .

Gerry Fisher cinematography is awesome , like are marvelously reflected on the glimmer and breathtaking scenarios . Wonderful production design by Dennis Clark , being filmed on location in Almeria , Andalucia , Spain , where in the fifties and sixties had been shot a lot of Spaghetti/Paella Western . The picture was well produced by Sandy Howard and compellingly directed by Richard C. Sarafian . The flick will appeal to natural sets enthusiasts and Richard Harris fans . Rating: 6,5 . Good , worthwhile seeing.