Jeremiah Johnson

[RoyalM]

I watched this film as a kid and recently got a copy. The same goes for Death Hunt with Charles Bronson. These were the films that first sparked my interest in outdoors and every few years I like to watch them to kind of stoke the fire in me to go out and really enjoy the woods and hills around me.

I was wandering if there are other films of this type that I should be watching? I don't intend to use these films for instructional purposes more just to enjoy a look back at, for me, a better age.

So if you know a film that fits the bill then post it here please. I'd also be open to some good books to as i'm always needing another book to read next to a camp fire. Something maybe with a bit of history and a story in it. While I really enjoy a Ray Mears book I was looking for something a little more informal and fun.

 

[Fallbrook Forge]

well, it isn't that time period but it is about survival, The Edge with Anthony Hokins, I also liked Seraphym Falls, Last of the Mohicans.

 

[hollowdweller]

Kismet turned me on to this really neat Russian Film

Dersu Uzala

From Amazon:

During an unusual chapter in the career of director Akira Kurosawa (Rashomon), the filmmaker went to Russia because he found working in his native Japan to be too difficult. The result was this striking 1975 near-epic based on the turn-of-the-century autobiographical novels of a military explorer (Yuri Solomin) who met and befriended a Goldi man in Russia's unmapped forests. Kurosawa traces the evolution of a deep and abiding bond between the two men, one civilized in the usual sense, the other at home in the sub-zero Siberian woods. There's no question that Dersu Uzala (the film is named for the Goldi character, played by Maxim Munzuk) has the muscular, imaginative look of a large-canvas Soviet Mosfilm from the 1970s. But in its energy and insight it is absolutely Kurosawa, from its implicit fascination with the meeting of opposite worlds to certain moments of tranquility and visual splendor. But nothing looks like Kurosawa more than a magnificent action sequence in which the co-heroes fight against time and exhaustion to stay alive in a wicked snowstorm. For fans of the late legend, this is a Kurosawa not to be missed. --Tom Keogh

http://www.amazon.com/Dersu-Uzala-M..._bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1226351104&sr=8-1

 

[Alex p. Schorsc]

It is interesting to note that the real historical personage that the movie Jeremiah Johnson was based on was known as "Liver-Eatin' Johnson". He defeated many Crow indians in one-on-one duels but what the movie doesn't show is that his trademark after killing was to eat the liver of his victem.

 

[Dogwood]

Kismet turned me on to this really neat Russian Film

Dersu Uzala

A HUGE :thumbup: for Dersu Uzala -- and a minor quibble. It's actually a Japanese movie (Kurosawa directed it, after all) shot in Russia (with some Russian financing...)

It's fantastic.

 

[wildmike]

That is a good link not just to the film but it clued me to two really good books as well. Thanks.

There is an Australian film that is excellent too "The Earthling". I don't remember who starred in it etc. but it is a must see.

 

[LeeCQC]

It is interesting to note that the real historical personage that the movie Jeremiah Johnson was based on was known as "Liver-Eatin' Johnson". He defeated many Crow indians in one-on-one duels but what the movie doesn't show is that his trademark after killing was to eat the liver of his victem.

Actually, his name was John Johnston. Hollywood changed the name to Jeremiah Johnson, and made him a romantic hero, and left no trace of "Liver-eatin' Johnston" to be found.

 

[Dogwood]

I think "Man in the Wilderness" (Richard Harris -- also in "A Man Called Horse,") should be on the list. If I recall correctly, "Man in the Wilderness" was based on actual events -- talk about a survival movie....

A couple of others:

"A Far Off Place," a little known movie with a young Reese Witherspoon about three teenagers (one a bushman) crossing the Kalihari. It's an exceptional adventure/survival film.

"Naked Prey" -- a huge film in the 1960s that doesn't hold up so well today.

 

[KiljoyKutlery]

Books..Loui Lamour's books are great. The Far Blue Mountains..all the first Sacketts series. Great stuff

 

[silenthunterstudios]

The Mountain Men, starring Charlton Heston, is a fun movie. Parts of Seraphim Falls simulate Jeremiah Johnson and Death Hunt, but not really a mountain man movie. Death Hunt is a real gem, I almost paid to have a video converted to DVD, and then I found it on DVD for about 5 bucks.

 

[Liam Ryan]

Is there a scene in Dersu Uzala where they make a shelter out of reeds real fast because it's getting late and a storm is coming up?

 

[tholiver]

"Survival Quest" starring Lance Henriksen is a fun survival-focused "sleeper" movie from the 80's.

 

[RoyalM]

A little update:

I remember a film where a family are out yachting and there's a stowaway street kid. Something happens where the boat crashes and they have to survive in a Northern Canada or Alaska maybe New Foundland type area. Think the film was maybe 80s but not sure. It just came up in conversation with a friend after I started this thread. Neither of us can remember much more about the film, is it ringing any bells with anyone on here?

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm also kind of using this as a shopping list for Xmas. The girlfriend for once will be getting me stuff I want and can use

 

[BarberFobic1992]

alone in the wilderness is one of my favorites. it is on PBS occasionally

 

[kgd]

The mosquito coast - with Harrison Ford is interesting and often overlooked for this genre

Legend of Jose Wales is a bit of a favorite of mine

Can't forget First Blood - lose any of the sequals IMO - but the first one is good

Deliverance - classic

World's Most Dangerous Game - classic again

 

[borrowed time]

Books..Loui Lamour's books are great. The Far Blue Mountains..all the first Sacketts series. Great stuff

For another AWESOME book from him about survival try reading Last of the Breed.

---- Eric

 

[stitchawl]

Thanks for naming all these movies, guys! I just queued them up for downloaded through Open Source torrents! (Couldn't get Dersu Uzala.) Hard to find older good English language movies here!

Stitchawl

 

[borrowed time]

i like "Cry in the Wild
' to get kids excited in survival, it shows how miserable a stay in the wild would be without the right gear.

"The Day After" is a serious kick in the rear to get a person prepping.

"Surviving the Game" is decent.


"Red Dawn" is always a great stand-by.

"The Postman" isnt too bad

 

[DOC-CANADA]

The mosquito coast - with Harrison Ford is interesting and often overlooked for this genre

Legend of Jose Wales is a bit of a favorite of mine

Can't forget First Blood - lose any of the sequals IMO - but the first one is good

Deliverance - classic

World's Most Dangerous Game - classic again

All good suggestions kgd, and I agree about Josey Wales although not really a survival type movie. I don't remember the Mosquito Coast. I'll have to see it again. I also read the book but remember little of it.

For another AWESOME book from him about survival try reading Last of the Breed.

---- Eric

Absolutely, an excellent book

tholiver: "Survival Quest" starring Lance Henriksen is a fun survival-focused "sleeper" movie from the 80's.

Hey th, I just bought that recently at WalMart in their cheapie DVD bin. It's not too bad a movie. Another movie is Band of the Hand, although it gets a little hokey when they move to the city.

There's also Alive about the soccer players' plane crash, Into The Wild, which has just been made into a movie, although I haven't seen it, a book - In The Shining Mountains by David Thompson, The Last American Man by Elizabeth Gilbert.

BTW, this is not a recommendation for any of the foregoing, but rather a list of similar genre off the top of my head.

One thing you could do is check with FLIX. He rents videos and I'm sure he could turn you onto quite a few good ones.

Doc

 

[Tasselhoff]

i have read all the louis lamour books -he is great. If you like jeremiah johnson get a book called Crow Killer. Amazing what those guys did back then.