Into The Wild - The Chris McCandless Story

**Easy 6** · 04-01-2008, 06:01 PM

Has anyone seen this movie yet??? and if so, what did you think???...i searched for a thread & didnt find one.

I was moved by this film more than any other in years, i have a huge bag of mixed feelings about him.

Since watching it, i find myself looking & wondering where my youthful idealism & wanderlust has went...am i getting old, rotten & swept away by the material world???...stuck in a rut of my own making???

I was living in Fairbanks Alaska during the time he was going through his ordeal in the bus & vaguely remember reading about it in the Fairbanks paper. That somehow makes me feel connected to him in some, belated, way.

Was he selfish, for causing so much pain in the lives of those who loved him???...or did he deserve, as maybe we all do, to seek his own destiny...free from the guilt, responsibility & trappings of modern life???

I feel SO much admiration for what he did, it takes huevos like boulders to set out like he did at such a young age with nothing but a backpack, the strength of his own character & a youthful appreciation for the for the simple, yet incredibly beautiful...simple pleasures of life. He could have been a Trust Fund Baby, yet chose to throw it all away for the experiences that money CANT buy.

After watching it, i honestly cried...for him, his family & loved ones...and also for myself...wondering if i could ever recapture that feeling of youthful idealism.

I cannot recommend this movie more highly, if you hate Sean Penn (the director)...dont let that stop you, its an amazing testament. Its loaded with standout performances, perhaps the best of which was delivered by Hal Holbrook...he'll break your heart in this, his final performance.

This movie wrapped itself around my soul & has made me question everything i was & have become...do yourself a favor & rent it.

evolve27 · 04-01-2008, 06:14 PM

Touching movie, actually bought a tear to my eye as well Scott. One way or another I could relate to what McCandless was enduring and felt empathy towards his journey. I want to read the book to see how it differs. I think it would be cool to venture into the serenity and beauty of wilderness, prepared.

**Easy 6** · 04-01-2008, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evolve27

Touching movie. I want to read the book to see how it differs. I think it would be cool to venture into the serenity and beauty of wilderness, prepared.

From what i've read, they stayed very close to the book...or as close as you can in a movie. Apparently, the family was deeply involved in the making of it, from what i've read.

I think it would be awesome to just get lost in the wilderness for awhile to, ala SurvivorMan, but like you say...i'd wanna be more prepared...he thought a few helpful hints, a bag of rice & a 22 rifle would carry him through.

The movie just really helped me question my life & whats important about it.

evolve27 · 04-01-2008, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott free

From what i've read, they stayed very close to the book...or as close as you can in a movie. Apparently, the family was deeply involved in the making of it, from what i've read.

I think it would be awesome to just get lost in the wilderness for awhile to, ala SurvivorMan, but like you say...i'd wanna be more prepared...he thought a few helpful hints, a bag of rice & a 22 rifle would carry him through.

The movie just really helped me question my life & whats important about it.

Material objects tend to obscure this contemporary generations sense of being. I believe like McCandless if we get away from it we can find a higher sense of self actualization and worth. Nature is one of the best ways wecan provide a solace from these feelings or estrangements that society has valued.

**Easy 6** · 04-01-2008, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evolve27

Material objects tend to obscure this contemporary generations sense of being. I believe like McCandless if we get away from it we can find a higher sense of self actualization and worth. Nature is one of the best ways wecan provide a solace from these feelings or estrangements that society has valued.

No doubt about it, thats maybe the most important message in this movie...dont let material possessions define you, when you remove all of it...the only thing left is your integrity, the love of family & friends & being able to appreciate the grandeur of Gods world.

evolve27 · 04-01-2008, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott free

No doubt about it, thats maybe the most important message in this movie...dont let material possessions define you, when you remove all of it...the only thing left is your integrity, the love of family & friends & being able to appreciate the grandeur of Gods world.

I agree, those are the closest things you can value. I'm gonna go trout fishing this weekend and get away from the world a little bit, it's gonna feel good too. Have you been back to Alaska?, nothing bite like them Alaskan Pollack evident by the biggest supply of fish in the frozen department.

**Easy 6** · 04-01-2008, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evolve27

I agree, those are the closest things you can value. I'm gonna go trout fishing this weekend and get away from the world a little bit, it's gonna feel good too. Have you been back to Alaska?, nothing bite like them Alaskan Pollack evident by the biggest supply of fish in the frozen department.

Nah, i havent been back to AK but i would sure love to...theres more than enough beauty & danger to go around. The summers are just awesome.

I made some beer batter fried pollock last week...but it was a "Product of China"...

...i'll go without before i buy chinese again.

Good luck fishing, enjoy the serenity.

macdawg · 04-01-2008, 07:17 PM

"Was he selfish, for causing so much pain in the lives of those who loved him???...or did he deserve, as maybe we all do, to seek his own destiny...free from the guilt, responsibility & trappings of modern life???"

Of course he was selfish for causing harm, I respect the heck outta him but he was weird. Why didn't he dream of being a provider, a father to a family he could raise and share his ideas with? Everyone in this world has crap to deal with in the modern world. He could have done so much more, I don't think his destiny was to abandon society because he was too hard headed to throw a curve ball right back at it.

**sd4chiefs** · 04-01-2008, 07:20 PM

Movie reviews

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/into_the_wild/

**Easy 6** · 04-01-2008, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macdawg

"Was he selfish, for causing so much pain in the lives of those who loved him???...or did he deserve, as maybe we all do, to seek his own destiny...free from the guilt, responsibility & trappings of modern life???"

Of course he was selfish for causing harm, I respect the heck outta him but he was weird. Why didn't he dream of being a provider, a father to a family he could raise and share his ideas with? Everyone in this world has crap to deal with in the modern world. He could have done so much more, I don't think his destiny was to abandon society because he was too hard headed to throw a curve ball right back at it.

Interesting take Mac.

I guess that we cant all have the same dreams, but he was so young that he maybe wasnt sure what his dreams were. I totally agree that he could have been/done so much more.

The last words in his journal lead me to believe that he grasped his mistake at the very end..."Happiness is only real, when shared...".

Chiefmanwillcatch · 04-01-2008, 07:34 PM

Movie about a clown who secretly wanted to die for 'fame'.

This story and movie appeal to stupid whiteboys. Do you see a movie about a native alaskan that can handle that territory.........no.

Asinine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_McCandless

Unlike Krakauer and many readers, who have a largely sympathetic view of McCandless,^[13] some Alaskans have negative views and about those who romanticize his fate.^[6]^[14] Because he had no maps, McCandless was unaware a hand-operated tram crossed the impassable river 1/4 mile from where he attempted to cross.^[3] There were cabins stocked with emergency supplies within a few miles of the bus, although they had been vandalized and all the supplies were spoiled, possibly by McCandless, as detailed in Lamothe's documentary.
Alaskan Park Ranger Peter Christian wrote: “I am exposed continually to what I will call the ‘McCandless Phenomenon.’ People, nearly always young men, come to Alaska to challenge themselves against an unforgiving wilderness landscape where convenience of access and possibility of rescue are practically nonexistent […] When you consider McCandless from my perspective, you quickly see that what he did wasn’t even particularly daring, just stupid, tragic, and inconsiderate. First off, he spent very little time learning how to actually live in the wild. He arrived at the Stampede Trail without even a map of the area. If he [had] had a good map he could have walked out of his predicament […] Essentially, Chris McCandless committed suicide.”^[15]

**Rausch** · 04-01-2008, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macdawg

"Was he selfish, for causing so much pain in the lives of those who loved him???...or did he deserve, as maybe we all do, to seek his own destiny...free from the guilt, responsibility & trappings of modern life???"

Of course he was selfish for causing harm, I respect the heck outta him but he was weird. Why didn't he dream of being a provider, a father to a family he could raise and share his ideas with? Everyone in this world has crap to deal with in the modern world. He could have done so much more, I don't think his destiny was to abandon society because he was too hard headed to throw a curve ball right back at it.

I haven't seen the flick. Did he already have a young family (wife, kids, etc.) or was he still a kid/teen that pretty much just ran away?...

JBucc · 04-01-2008, 07:43 PM

Well after studying this man in great depth (reading his Wikipedia page), he seems like a dumbass. He didn't even bring a map with him.

**Rausch** · 04-01-2008, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBucc

Well after studying this man in great depth (reading his Wikipedia page), he seems like a dumbass. He didn't even bring a map with him.

How about TP?

It always seems like as soon as I step foot in the woods I have to drop2...

**Easy 6** · 04-01-2008, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefmanwillgetyou

Movie about a clown who secretly wanted to die for 'fame'.

This story and movie appeal to stupid whiteboys. Do you see a movie about a native alaskan that can handle that territory.........no.

Asinine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_McCandless

Unlike Krakauer and many readers, who have a largely sympathetic view of McCandless,^[13] some Alaskans have negative views and about those who romanticize his fate.^[6]^[14] Because he had no maps, McCandless was unaware a hand-operated tram crossed the impassable river 1/4 mile from where he attempted to cross.^[3] There were cabins stocked with emergency supplies within a few miles of the bus, although they had been vandalized and all the supplies were spoiled, possibly by McCandless, as detailed in Lamothe's documentary.
Alaskan Park Ranger Peter Christian wrote: “I am exposed continually to what I will call the ‘McCandless Phenomenon.’ People, nearly always young men, come to Alaska to challenge themselves against an unforgiving wilderness landscape where convenience of access and possibility of rescue are practically nonexistent […] When you consider McCandless from my perspective, you quickly see that what he did wasn’t even particularly daring, just stupid, tragic, and inconsiderate. First off, he spent very little time learning how to actually live in the wild. He arrived at the Stampede Trail without even a map of the area. If he [had] had a good map he could have walked out of his predicament […] Essentially, Chris McCandless committed suicide.”^[15]

I've read things of a similar nature about this & its hard to disagree with some points.

But to dismiss him as an idiot who basically deserved what he got is TOTAL horseshit...would you feel the same if it were YOUR son???

The forest service people up there are tired of chasing/looking after guys like Chris & thats understandable...but they've become jaded & cant understand what drives people like him to undertake the ultimate adventure.

To write it off as suicide is whats truly assinine, this was a young man who wanted NOTHING more than to live life to its ultimate fullest.

He had the soul of a poet & the balls of a bull...clown your ass.

04-01-2008, 06:01 PM
Easy 6 pie is never free Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: the drivers seat Casino cash: $3777775	Into The Wild - The Chris McCandless Story Has anyone seen this movie yet??? and if so, what did you think???...i searched for a thread & didnt find one. I was moved by this film more than any other in years, i have a huge bag of mixed feelings about him. Since watching it, i find myself looking & wondering where my youthful idealism & wanderlust has went...am i getting old, rotten & swept away by the material world???...stuck in a rut of my own making??? I was living in Fairbanks Alaska during the time he was going through his ordeal in the bus & vaguely remember reading about it in the Fairbanks paper. That somehow makes me feel connected to him in some, belated, way. Was he selfish, for causing so much pain in the lives of those who loved him???...or did he deserve, as maybe we all do, to seek his own destiny...free from the guilt, responsibility & trappings of modern life??? I feel SO much admiration for what he did, it takes huevos like boulders to set out like he did at such a young age with nothing but a backpack, the strength of his own character & a youthful appreciation for the for the simple, yet incredibly beautiful...simple pleasures of life. He could have been a Trust Fund Baby, yet chose to throw it all away for the experiences that money CANT buy. After watching it, i honestly cried...for him, his family & loved ones...and also for myself...wondering if i could ever recapture that feeling of youthful idealism. I cannot recommend this movie more highly, if you hate Sean Penn (the director)...dont let that stop you, its an amazing testament. Its loaded with standout performances, perhaps the best of which was delivered by Hal Holbrook...he'll break your heart in this, his final performance. This movie wrapped itself around my soul & has made me question everything i was & have become...do yourself a favor & rent it.
Posts: 91,629

04-01-2008, 06:14 PM	#2
evolve27 Keep It on Wax Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: BUMP MASTER, USA Casino cash: $10004900	Touching movie, actually bought a tear to my eye as well Scott. One way or another I could relate to what McCandless was enduring and felt empathy towards his journey. I want to read the book to see how it differs. I think it would be cool to venture into the serenity and beauty of wilderness, prepared. __________________ Best QB Available Last edited by evolve27; 04-01-2008 at 06:23 PM..
Posts: 2,588

04-01-2008, 07:17 PM	#8
macdawg Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	"Was he selfish, for causing so much pain in the lives of those who loved him???...or did he deserve, as maybe we all do, to seek his own destiny...free from the guilt, responsibility & trappings of modern life???" Of course he was selfish for causing harm, I respect the heck outta him but he was weird. Why didn't he dream of being a provider, a father to a family he could raise and share his ideas with? Everyone in this world has crap to deal with in the modern world. He could have done so much more, I don't think his destiny was to abandon society because he was too hard headed to throw a curve ball right back at it.
Posts: 425

04-01-2008, 07:20 PM	#9
sd4chiefs error 404 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Bizarro World Casino cash: $8830445	Movie reviews http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/into_the_wild/ __________________ “It's Easier to Fool People Than It Is to Convince Them That They Have Been Fooled.” – Mark Twain.
Posts: 3,980

04-01-2008, 07:34 PM	#11
Chiefmanwillcatch Banned Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: KC Casino cash: $10004900	Movie about a clown who secretly wanted to die for 'fame'. This story and movie appeal to stupid whiteboys. Do you see a movie about a native alaskan that can handle that territory.........no. Asinine. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_McCandless Unlike Krakauer and many readers, who have a largely sympathetic view of McCandless,^[13] some Alaskans have negative views and about those who romanticize his fate.^[6]^[14] Because he had no maps, McCandless was unaware a hand-operated tram crossed the impassable river 1/4 mile from where he attempted to cross.^[3] There were cabins stocked with emergency supplies within a few miles of the bus, although they had been vandalized and all the supplies were spoiled, possibly by McCandless, as detailed in Lamothe's documentary. Alaskan Park Ranger Peter Christian wrote: “I am exposed continually to what I will call the ‘McCandless Phenomenon.’ People, nearly always young men, come to Alaska to challenge themselves against an unforgiving wilderness landscape where convenience of access and possibility of rescue are practically nonexistent […] When you consider McCandless from my perspective, you quickly see that what he did wasn’t even particularly daring, just stupid, tragic, and inconsiderate. First off, he spent very little time learning how to actually live in the wild. He arrived at the Stampede Trail without even a map of the area. If he [had] had a good map he could have walked out of his predicament […] Essentially, Chris McCandless committed suicide.”^[15]
Posts: 1,145

04-01-2008, 07:43 PM	#13
JBucc MVP Join Date: Oct 2005 Casino cash: $10004952	Well after studying this man in great depth (reading his Wikipedia page), he seems like a dumbass. He didn't even bring a map with him.
Posts: 12,016