The Revenant is a very aptly titled film that shows how real life frontiersman Hugh Glass (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) comes back from the dead. Based on reports of how he survived a bear attack and swam through a cold river, this man has more lives than a cat! Technically, he was at death’s door after the mauling, but as for what he’s become, this movie shows how he turns into a shadow of his former self. If it was not for his exceptional survival instincts, he would be six-feet under.
In this movie and not counting what’s not said about his life prior, he must be down to his last life by the film’s end. The only reason he lives is because he wants revenge upon the self-serving Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy). It’s because of him that he gets left for the vultures to eat. Unlike military training where it’s said that you never leave one of your own behind, this individual wanted Glass put out of his misery and left as carrion.
For the rest of the fur-trading expedition, Glass is important. He was most likely the tracker of this group and without him, the trappers may not have been able to communicate with the local tribes they run into. Unfortunately, that does not stop the Arikara nation; The chief is searching for his daughter, and he will command his forces to kill any white men they meet in his search. Although Glass’ married into the Pawnee tribe and has a son, that did not stop Arikara’s first sortie from razing the trader camp. They flee for their lives.
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