Jack London

The story unfolds across the late 19th and early 20th centuries, charting London's emergence from factory labor to renowned writer-adventurer. It follows his experiences in the Yukon during the narrative’s key writing period and his foreign journalism assignments that span Europe and Asia.

Oakland in the 1890s is shown as an industrial port city where London works in a factory and makes a pivotal life choice after an accident. The journey then moves to the perilous Bering Sea and the Yukon wilderness, settings that fuel his early writing. Later segments take him to Plymouth, Japan, Korea, Manchuria and Mongolia, illustrating the global scope of his adventures and journalism, capped by references to the White House.

🧭 Ambition

London’s life in the film is defined by a relentless drive to find, write, and publish authentic stories. He shifts from a factory worker to an oyster pirate, sailor, and war correspondent, chasing opportunity wherever it appears. The theme highlights how ambition fuels both his creativity and the risky choices he makes.

🌊 Adventure

The narrative is driven by perilous journeys across seas, frozen lands, and war zones. These adventures shape his voice as a writer and his worldview. The film frames exploration and danger as essential to his literary success.

📰 Fame

It shows the tension between rebellious output and editorial reception, as his raw stories are dismissed as 'raw' and yet he gains recognition through connections like Kipling. Editors and publishers influence his career, while political events shape what he can publish. The arc underscores fame’s volatile path and the costs of pursuing impactful journalism.