Man in the Wilderness (1971)

Left for dead after a bear attack, a fur-trapper recuperates and pursues his former companions through dangerous Indian territory.

Director:

Richard C. Sarafian

Writer:

Jack DeWitt (as Jack De Witt)

Stars:

Richard Harris, John Huston, Henry Wilcoxon

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Harris	...	Zachary Bass
John Huston	...	Captain Henry
Henry Wilcoxon	...	Indian Chief
Percy Herbert	...	Fogarty
Dennis Waterman	...	Lowrie
Prunella Ransome	...	Grace
Sheila Raynor	...	Grace's Mother
Norman Rossington	...	Ferris
James Doohan	...	Benoit
Bryan Marshall	...	Potts
Ben Carruthers	...	Longbow
Robert Russell	...	Smith
John Bindon	...	Coulter
Bruce M. Fischer	...	Wiser
Dean Selmier	...	Russell

Storyline

In the early 1800's, a group of fur trappers and Indian traders are returning with their goods to civilisation and are making a desperate attempt to beat the oncoming winter. When guide Zachary Bass is injured in a bear attack, they decide he's a goner and leave him behind to die. When he recovers instead, he swears revenge on them and tracks them and their paranoiac expedition leader down.

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Plot Keywords:

tracks | fur | fur trapper | winter | 1800s | 

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Taglines:

He was left for dead. He would not forget.

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Western

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Certificate:

GP

Did You Know?

Trivia

Pat Nye was on the short list for the nurse role, which ultimately ended up going to Judith Furse.

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Goofs

The Indian garments are shown with brightly colored adornments. Those colors were not possible with the natural dyes available at that time.

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Quotes

Fogarty: Damn it! A man ought to know when his time's up.

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Connections

Featured in It'll Be Alright on the Night 2 (1979)

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Soundtracks

Henry Continues
Composed by Johnny Harris
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records

User Reviews

Excellent filmmaking.

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.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 December 1971 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Man in the Wilderness

Filming Locations:

Coconino National Forest, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Limbridge, Wilderness Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1