Man in the Wilderness

Man in the Wilderness

Year: 1971

Runtime: 104 mins

Language: English

Director: Richard C. Sarafian

AdventureDramaWesternWesternsDisastrous voyages and heroic survival

In the early 1800s a party of fur trappers and Indian traders races back to civilization before winter sets in. After a bear mauls their guide, Zachary Bass, the men deem him dead and abandon him. Bass survives, recuperates, and vows vengeance, relentlessly pursuing the group and their paranoid expedition leader through the wilderness.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Man in the Wilderness yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Man in the Wilderness (1971)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Man in the Wilderness (1971). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1820

The events take place in 1820, during the height of the fur-trapping era on the American frontier. Expeditions push through harsh winters and uncharted terrain, facing both natural peril and tension among the group. The era's urgency is driven by the goal of reaching the Missouri River to sail south and trade.

Location

Northwest Territory, Missouri River

The story unfolds across a rugged Northwest frontier along the Missouri River, where dense forests and frozen waterways define daily survival. The landscape is harsh and remote, emphasizing isolation from civilization. This setting highlights the dangers of early 19th-century fur-trapping expeditions and the tenuous line between life and death in the wilderness.

❄️ Frontier 🪵 Wilderness 🗺️ Exploration

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:28

Main Characters – Man in the Wilderness (1971)

Meet the key characters of Man in the Wilderness (1971), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Captain Filmore Henry (John Huston)

A pragmatic and steady leader who must balance the expedition’s progress with the safety of his men. He makes tough calls to keep the group moving, even as personal loyalties strain under pressure.

🧭 Leader 🗺️ Strategist 🪖 Stoic

Zachary Bass (Richard Harris)

A hardened trapper who survives a bear attack and a harsh winter through ingenuity and stubborn will. His memories of Grace fuel his perseverance as he fights to reach his son.

🪵 Survivor 🔥 Resilient 🕯️ Memory-driven

Lowrie (Dennis Waterman)

A young trapper whose fear leads him to abandon Zachary at a critical moment, illustrating the fragile loyalty and strain of frontier life under extreme stress.

🗺️ Loyal 🪵 Impulsive 🧭 Young

Fogarty (Percy Herbert)

A wary trapper whose fear and poor judgments contribute to tragedy, including a fatal turn that alters the expedition's fate.

🔫 Impulsive 🧭 Fearful 🧠 Paranoid

Dr. Ferris (Norman Rossington)

The expedition’s doctor who weighs medical odds and maintains professional rigor amid brutal conditions, representing practical care in a perilous journey.

🧪 Doctor 🩺 Pragmatic 🧭 Calm

Grace (Prunella Ransome)

Zachary’s wife remembered through his memory, whose faith and love symbolize the life he strives to return to. Her memory provides emotional fuel for his endurance.

💔 Wife 🕯️ Memory 💫 Faith

Indian Chief (Henry Wilcoxon)

The native chief who intervenes at a moment of danger and blesses Zachary, representing a momentary bridge between opposing worlds in the frontier.

🪶 Chief 🗡️ Respect 🤝 Bridge-builder

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:28

Major Themes – Man in the Wilderness (1971)

Explore the central themes of Man in the Wilderness (1971), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🗺️ Survival

Survival drives the narrative as Zachary Bass endures a bear attack, stark injuries, and forced isolation. He improvises tools, scavenges for food, and endures through cold and hunger to stay alive. The theme ties physical endurance to mental resolve, showing how hope and resourcefulness sustain him.

💔 Memory

Memories of Grace and their child haunt Zachary, contrasting with the brutal frontier reality. These memories become a guiding force, shaping his choices and reinforcing his determination. The past acts as a moral compass amid hardship.

🤝 Duty & Loyalty

The expedition tests leadership, loyalty, and communal responsibility. Henry's pragmatic decisions clash with personal loyalties, while Lowrie and Fogarty's actions reveal the costs of fear and misjudgment. The survival scenario makes duty and trust paramount, affecting every relationship.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:28

Unlock the Full Story of Man in the Wilderness

Don't stop at just watching — explore Man in the Wilderness in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Man in the Wilderness is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Man in the Wilderness Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Man in the Wilderness, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Man in the Wilderness Summary

Man in the Wilderness Timeline

Track the full timeline of Man in the Wilderness with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Man in the Wilderness Timeline

More About Man in the Wilderness

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Man in the Wilderness: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Man in the Wilderness

Explore More About Movie Man in the Wilderness

Man in the Wilderness (1971) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Man in the Wilderness (1971) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Man in the Wilderness (1971) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow