Into the Wild the movie - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Grant · RV-Dreams Family Member

Into the Wild the movie

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

I haven't read the book or seen the movie. But there have always been impressionable types. when Goethe wrote "The Sorrows of Young Werther' in 1774 (see Wikipedia article on The Sorrows of Young Werther ) and had Werther commit suicide at the end many followed the example and commited suicide themselves. Now they do everything Brittany Spears does. Heading off into Alaska to find themselves without being prepared doesn't seem too different to me and most of them will probably live and hopefully will have learned something.

Tinabeane · RV-Dreams Community Member

I am just starting to read the book and look forward to seeing the movie soon. Once I see the movie I'll let you know what I thought of it.

I usually find that books can never live up to a movie, there is just so much that could never be put in to 2 1/2 hour movie.

I remember seeing the show on 20/20 about Chris a few years ago and thought it was a very interesting story but way to the extreme for me.

Happytrails · RV-Dreams Family Member

Many have followed in his footsteps and many have died. I think it is a very real concern. I haven't read the book but we saw the movie last evening. It was powerful in its statement. I agree, a book is almost always better than the movie so I am looking forward to what the book has to say. I didn't see the 20/20 segment about Chris, maybe they will replay it now that the movie is out.
I would like to see it.

Judy the Other · RV-Dreams Family Member

I read the book several years ago also and have not yet seen the movie. I usually steer clear of movies made from good books for the reasons mentioned above. However, since H&L liked it I might give this one a chance.

In the book I believe Krakauer made it clear that Chris was unprepared, but Chris also did what he wanted to do. Again, those are my recollections and it has been a while since I read it.

If you haven't read Jon Krakauer's other books, I highly recommend them. I've never been disappointed. One of the few contemporary authors who can do a real pageturner.

Another book by a different author which I would never have read without a recommendation, but couldn't put down once I started, was Ship of Gold In the Deep Blue Sea by Gary Kinder. What an interesting story. If you like real life adventure, ships, treasure hunts, history or technology you might enjoy this book.

Judy

foxriverguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I second Judy's opinion of :Ship of Gold...." It was fascinating. I read "Into the Wild" when the book first came out, but had forgotten much of the story. I thought the movie was first-rate. As to inspiring others to do the same...if we don't want that to happen --then -- well we better ban all books and newspapers and magazines because that's what well-told stories do -- they inspire people to do things.

A little inspiration every now and then is a good thing. That's why I read Howard's Journal and Nick Russel's blog everyday. They both inspire and inform me about this new adventure that I will someday experience first-hand.

Judy the Other · RV-Dreams Family Member

I agree Fox, what an unfulfilling life it would be if we only did what was considered "safe". I, too, have certain journals I read everymorning with my coffee that get me through the workday.

Here's to the Trailblazers!

Judy

Grant · RV-Dreams Family Member

This is a URL to an alternate view of Chris' story from the Anchorage Daily News:

http://www.adn.com/outdoors/craig_medred/story/9430189p-9342328c.html

Howard · Host

Hey Grant,

That article was a little over the top for a lot of speculation and hypothesis. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. smile

We really enjoyed the movie and the messages. I haven't read the book, but Linda said the movie was pretty true to the book except, of course, that the movie left out a lot of the story due to time constraints.

My guess is the movie took some liberties, but the author of the book had access to the actual writings of Chris. It would seem to me that the story told in Chris's words is more compelling than what a writer might think was going on in his head. smile

And if others follow in Chris's footsteps to their death, so be it. At least they will have really lived life to an extent most people never will.

After seeing the movie and this post, Linda and I had a discussion about it. The main focus of the discussion was on death.

I don't know if I have ever been afraid of death, but I know I have always been afraid of the pain or discomfort that accompanies death. I suppose I feared an early death while we were still working because there was so much more life to be lived.

But now, even having been full-timing only two or so years, Linda & I have both come to the conclusion that we no longer care about dying young and missing out on anything. For two or so years, we've lived life on our own terms. We are at peace with our lives.

Of course I still fear pain and discomfort. And that keeps us from doing extreme things like Chris, but should tragedy come suddenly, it's okay. smile

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

Just finished the book, couldn't put it down once I started and I finished it in a day. Quite a story and quite the storyteller. I can't wait to read Krakauer's other books.

It's sad when such a special young person goes a little past their capabities and pays the ultimate price. But boy, he sure did pack in a lot of living and adventure in his short years.

Foolhardy to the extreme though.

Fred