Un hombre en la inmensidad

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

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"

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.

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.

Richard Harris is horribly mauled by a grizzly bear and left to die in the primeval forest of 1820's America, by trapping expedition captain John Huston. The injured Harris is forced to go to extraordinary lengths in order to survive and catch up with the rest of his party.

A very offbeat, handsomely produced outdoor adventure, Man In The Wilderness is a story that's told primarily in pictures, with very minimal dialog. This moody, sometimes cerebral film might not be for everyone, though others will find it quite satisfying.

Richard Harris delivers a great performance, despite the fact that the script only allows him to speak five times during the movie, three of which were near the end. He's forced to convey emotions mainly through body and facial expression.

Some favorite scenes are when the trappers are pinned down by the weather and begin to imagine a vengeful Harris, coming out of the wilderness to get them, and of course the fascinating climax and finale.

The film's basic premise was borrowed four years later, in the bad drive-in movie Apache Blood. That film is not recommended, whereas this would make a pretty good double-bill with A Man Called Horse or Jeremiah Johnson.