The outdoors. Two words that can have two very different meanings depending on who you ask. One response could be that of “wow, camping is just the worst” or just the opposite, “Yeah hiking rocks!”. But regardless of how you see the wilderness, The Revenant is a film sure to force even the craziest tree hugger into fearing what mother nature has to offer. Following the true tales of Hugh Glass, Jim Bridger and John Fitzgerald, The Revenant recaps the unbelievable journey of Glass who goes from bear attack victim, to dead, to ultimate survivor. Utilizing beautiful cinematography and gripping, realistic performances, The Revenant, masterfully tells the tale of Hugh Glass’ incredible journey.

The Revenant is based off true events regarding employees of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company. This group of mountain men are amongst many young americans who bravely faced the american wilderness in the early 1800s trying to make a living. While the film isn’t completely historically accurate, that does not mean it fails to show how brutal the lives of these American fur trappers just were. In addition to facing extreme temperatures, the men also faced uneasy tensions between different groups of Native Americans, most of which ended poorly.

In the summer of 1823, Hugh Glass, one of the company’s premiere trackers, was on a scouting mission ahead of his party. Following a stroke of extremely bad luck, Glass was caught in the middle of two grizzly bear cubs and their angry mother. With only time to get one shot off at the bear, a shot that went right into the bear’s heart; he was viciously mauled. Sustaining broken legs, uncountable scars, and a slit throat, hope seemed lost. When found by the rest of the company, his wounds were stitched and he was carried on a stretcher for several days. When it was deemed he was doomed to die, employees Jim Bridger and John Fitzgerald stayed behind to bury Glass properly. Except they leave him behind, and Hugh Glass Survives.

Such begins the journey of Hugh Glass. He sets out, crawling, inch by inch. And over the course of several months, is driven forward by one thing. Revenge.

The film is adapted from Michael Punke’s novel, also called The Revenant. A revenant is someone who returns as a spirit after death, which is exactly what Hugh Glass appears to do. The film while beautiful and breathtaking, does add elements to the novel which is largely based on true accounts. The movie includes additions like a son that Hugh Glass never had and a different ending which differs from history. So in the historical accuracy aspect, the film fails to tell the true story. However, as a standalone film, it sure does live up to the oscar nominations it has received. In February, it will compete for the Academy Award against a number of other phenomenal films in categories such as cinematography, best actor and best picture.

Directed by Birdman’s Alejandro González Iñárritu, The Revenant  also does not follow the typical style of shooting a feature film. Shot over the course of several winter months throughout the canadian wilderness, the authenticity can really be felt coming off the screen. In fact, many crew members threatened to quit mid-way through production as the extreme temperatures were not kind by any means. Like Birdman as well, there are long sequences of uninterrupted action in which filming went on for several minutes. In the case of a mistake, these long takes had to be repeated to ensure perfection.

So even though multiple elements are added to make a more engaging movie, The Revenant very accurately portrays just how harsh the wilderness can be. But with a willpower of steel and a hunger for survival, Hugh Glass shows both fictionally and non fictionally how strong the human spirit really is. Many people today forget about the mountain men of a young United States and the pain they went through to pave the way for much of American civilization as it is today.