I saw this film in theaters and absolutely loved it. After doing research and reading "give your heart to the hawks" I found out that his true story is so much greater than the film portrayed. Good video
I have read a few historical accounts of Hugh Glass and you are indeed correct. Hollywood takes many liberties and in this case truly diminished the story in my opinion.
We totally understand they had to make a movie, but they really fundamentally changed the theme in this for no real discernable reason. It's a shame to turn a story of forgiveness into a simple vendetta tale.
Painful legacy of revenge, death and revenge. Tough living and tough dying in the Old West. Thank you for putting all the time in producing these stories. They are both professional and educational!
That's the best account of Hugh Glass's life I've heard so far. Most people embellish this story. Great job. Sucks we don't have more facts about this story but I guess that's what makes it so intriguing and interesting.
Excellent video, I do not know why Hollywood has to alter history. In most cases the actual story is far better than any historical fiction that Hollywood can come up with. I am enjoying your work tremendously. I consider myself a fairly knowledgeable amateur historian but you’re videos are increasing my knowledge.
Absolutely love your videos so much. INCREDIBLY interesting, detailed, informative, respectful, made in good faith. These stories need to be told, and this is exactly as history should be told. The truth, no matter how ugly it may be.
I hdd two auditions for this film.... first time I was informed I was too old to play a fur trapper.... I didn't know there was an age limit to trap furs in the 1820's. The shoot was cancelled that winter due to lack of snow in the area, but I got a call from casting the following year and they were suddenly ok with my age, but when the question came up on whether or not I could speak French, I choked.
It's Fitzgerald not Fitzpatrick. Tom Broken Hand Fitzpatrick was a trader in the 1830s, John Fitzgerald was the one that left glass to die. Also it was Edward Rose that died with Glass. Rose also lived with the Crow and the Arikara but the Arikara killed him because he was with Glass and Glass was bad medicine for them.
That's a great point about the story of Hugh Glass being a story of forgiveness rather than revenge (which corrupt Hollywood made it out to be). It also leads to another point: People in our "civilized" society take great pleasure in that theme of revenge. So much so in fact that a a vast majority of Hollywood movies are built around this theme. They generate as much hatred as they possibly can for the bad guy in the movie and then gratify their audience by inflicting a slow and torturous death on them at the end of the movie. And people watch it with much glee...much like a band of "savages" watching in delight as their own enemies are tortured. I would submit that the only difference between modern "civilized" man and the so-called "savages" is the fact that those in modern society have not faced the same circumstances as the so-called "savages" and thus their own propensity for savagery lies dormant. Hugh Glass proved that he was indeed NOT a savage and it's too bad Hollywood defamed his character by portraying him as such.
I Read about Glass and many Early Trappers back in the mid 1970s. Hollywood typically ruins historical facts- nothing new there, but I did learn a little more from this Presentation 👍. Good Work indeed 🇺🇸
We have a local legend in southern Michigan about a Potowatomi indian named Jack Powatin. His son was killed by a band of Black hawk, as I recall, traveling along the Sauk trail to trade at fort Detroit. There reason was just for sport. The revenge this father single handedly extracted from his sons killers is truly a story that deserves to be told.
That sounds like a great story. If you have any good resources please send them to historyattheokcorral@gmail.com because we'd love to do an episode on that!
I am from Michigan myself sir. I love old tales n such from our state, do you know of any books or any literature on this legend you talk about? I take it your south of Detroit? I am from flint.
@@johnvoelker8227 West of Jackson, Spring Arbor. This event happened in this area. I can't find any accounts other than our local historical society. Wapkazeek was another local native who lost one leg in the battle of tippycanoe.
@@burtvincent1278 well thanks anyways, hopefully this channel will get some info from you and maybe have a go with it. Thanks for the response, stay safe and god bless sir
The biography I read Glass biography about his amazing survival tale(not to diminish it at all ) happened in the summer, not in winter as in the movie. Which certainly improve your odds. His true story is light years better than movie. I admire DeCaprio's effort in the movie.
The historical account I heard was that Glass only forgave the young kid that abandoned him. The older man who made the decision to abandon him, he truly wanted to kill, but was forbidden to do so by the army agents at the fort at which he found the man. Though he opted to let him go, surrounded by soldiers, he did so with the exclamation that if he found him again under more favorable circumstances, he would indeed exact his revenge.
First time I watched the Leo movie I was squirming waiting on the bear attack to end…..great movie. I wouldn’t be too bothered by movie accuracy there’s a bunch of mountain men history/lore that lots of people don’t believe like Part of Beckwourths life in and out of living as a Crow. My fav western movie of all time is Jeremiah Johnson and it’s fiction. The idea loosely based on “liver eating” Johnson. But I do agree in some cases their lives like Hugh Glass were way more amazing than the movies they attempt to make.
Off the subject of Hugh Glass but I served on board the ATF-98, USS Arikara. This was a class of ship, ocean going tugs, that were named after various native american tribes. This video is one of a very few places that I have encountered someone mentioning the Arikara tribe.
He was a God fearing man. Carried a Bibke with him and he Never drank, never smoked, never cursed. And he did not have a son. He is one of the many lesser known American heroes. Too damn bad that a historical novel turned into a movie loosely based on his life is the way a lot of Americans view him. That's the problem w us. We would rather watch a movie and take it as fact rather than open up books and read, research, and find out for ourselves...but what do I know...
I’ve learned that if I’m to get any enjoyment out of anything Hollywood puts out, especially movies that have a historical background, its to go into it expecting nothing more than pure fiction. I just enjoy the “Story”… If I want Historical fact I’ll research it myself with the help of videos such as this one. At least that way I can still enjoy an occasional movie, such as the “Revenant” , without having it ruined by the artistic liberties taken by the story teller.
Good Lord, the savagery of that age is blood curdling to hear or read. The hatred and intentional vicious brutality with the purpose of inflicting the maximum suffering of victims cannot be overstated and it seems was applied equally by natives and adventurers. Thank you HTOC
1st comment 08-18-22 @ 8:03 PM, ET. Very good video. Very thorough and accurate. Tough is just the common denominator for ALL who lived in that place in that time.
One key element that I would add is that the Grizzly mauling occurred in present-day SD, along the Grand River. Look up a photo of that river to see that it wasn’t in the mountains.
Hollywood lied to me? What!? Was The Revenant supposed to be a documentary, or a movie? I think it was a movie, and along with stories like Moby Dick, and Martin Eden, it's great and holds many truths about enduring the natural world.. Did it happen exactly like the movie? Did Moby Dick really happen? Did Call Of The Wild really happen? I guess there's nothing there but a pack of lies. Well done, sir.
I am only familiar with one Gila River and it is nowhere near Santa Fe nor was it that big a "hot bed of beaver trapping". Is there another Gila besides the one that is near Silver City NM?
Santa Fe was the home base from which theyd head SW to the Gila. It hasnt been a hotbed since the early 19th century, and even then yes relatively few in comparison to farther north and even west. There will be a whole episode on the Gila River and Santa Fe trapping scene soon.
@@tedwilson5713 I know, I have fought forest fires on the headwaters of the Gila and hunted ducks off its waters SW of Phoenix. It is a long ways from Santa Fe and calling it a "hot bed of beaver" is an exaggeration.
Ok you have this story mostly correct. However I have to say Hollywood and this movie in particular gets things way wrong. I could point these out for ever,so I will keep it to a couple of key points. 1. If one spend so much as a few minutes in the Missouri river country, you'd know that its not rain forest. 2. The Arikara much like the mandan, and pawnee was the least of nomadic of the great plains. Oh and cottonwood doesn't make for the best hide.
Boom, boom and BOOM! Great points. We don't even mean to pick on the movie too much, its just so much stuff like that that seems needless and changes the story/setting for no reason.
The fact that Mr. Glass forgave those who left him to die compounds my respect for the memory this man. Hollywood creates profits for it’s Chinese share holders telling stories. I would love to have been able to sit by the fire and listen to this man’s true tales.
Jim Bridger was just a kid at the time and he was just doing what he was told but he didn't have much of a choice but to get over his hatred for Fitzgerald
We don't know whether the man identified only as "bridges" was jim bridger or not. neither ashley nor bridger have ever said anything conclusive in that regard.
And, I'm not 100% sure, his fellow was not Fitzpatrick but named John Fitzgerald. By the way, forget the beard, but if this is Glass he looks a bit like Frank Zappa (or the other way around)
Historical Fort Kiowa is north of ocoma across the present day Chamberlain SD. The indian attack was probably during the arikara war of 1823 against the American fur traders. On the present day standing rock siuox Indian reservation of SD. The future land of sittingbull hunkpapa Lakota sioux Indian people.
Who is Beckwourth? At A little after 6:20 you mention BECKWOURTH. Who is BECKWOURTH? Did I miss something somewhere? Is this Jim Beckwourth the BLACK mountain man?
@@historyattheokcorral I guess you didn't understand my question. I thought I heard you say Beckwourth. You said, "accompanied Beckwourth on a burial detail". What/who are you taking about?
And many fingers were willingly chopped off and thrown into the grave.... wild! I man, what’s it gunna be? The left pinky?... but damn!... I’d stay home in front of a warm fire.
Dude, lies, is pretty strong. Hollywood always feels the need to over dramatize everything that has a glint of historical reference. The movie was just typically Hollywood.
So you were not there. You have your sources, however reliable they might be. I to have read many accounts, probably many the same as you. I think the movie, taken in broad strokes, is accurate in a general sense.
I'm a DeCaprio fan, he's a good actor. The Revenant was NOT a good movie, to me. Predictable and formulaic. Had a hard time staying awake. Your videos are much better!
I’m glad to see someone point this out. Unfortunately I watched this movie when it came out. That is two hours of my life I will never get back. I have read a reasonable amount about Hugh Glass and I found this movie didn’t come close to conveying the actual story of his life. I also found the Indians fighting from the trees and pigs in their camp completely ridiculous. Why the producers didn’t just tell his story correctly is beyond me. This movie didn’t deserve any of the accolades it received.
Money brother it’s all about money if the story was told the exact way how that situation went with his life it wouldn’t be as popular or prolly wouldn’t sell as much
This would still be an Oscar worthy performance, I don't get why Hollywood always needs to romantize things. The wild west is full of tales of endless acts of revenge, random murders. I guess that is what justifies all this violence is because you had to get one back for your own. When all it did was just create an endless stream of anger and resentment.
Sorry but I heard that with this name. And read it by Larry McMurtry who showed the first meeting Glass /Bridger /Fitzpatrick (?) in a fine brawl scene. From Northern Germany God's Blessing.
@@ludwigderzanker9767 Greetings to you! I had wondered if you were in Germany. My relation on my father's side are from Horb an der Steinach, I believe, the Saxony-Coburg region.. I imagine some are still there, some immigrated in the mid to late 1800s. My father was stationed in Germany while in the service, when the Wall was being built. They loved it there and met some wonderful people..
I had a lot of issues with that movie it portrayed the massive Buffalo killings decades before it happened . Showed the protagonist as more in tune with the natives then all the other evil white men. Then knowing the actual history that was a let down too.
One hell of a man, apparently not that smart. After a bear attack, shot in the back by arrows from indians, he still went out and did the same thing. DUH.
Hollywood always diminishes a true story with its stupid editing and lack of appreciation of the intelligence of their audience. The true story of "The Last Duel" is much more dramatic than the lame movie.
This is what I don't get. This was a movie!!! NOT a documentary so artistic liberty is to be expected, just as shakespeares Henry the fifth and you never hear about it not being "accurate" and "lies".
In general we would agree with you. People pick apart movies like Braveheart (just an example) for its myriad of liberties taken, but in this instance the driving theme and ultimate ending was wildly misleading. That said, the cinematography, costumes, locations and representation of different cultures within the movie was quite sound. Only unfortunate that a tale of grace was turned into one of vengeance, but such is Hollywood.
I actually thought the movie was rubbish , the book was better but the real story of what people knew of glass is way better- sorry hollywood bug fail.
there are several accurate histories on Hugh Glass, going back about 120 years. and yeah I was annoyed with not only the revenge but the Political Correctness, "gotta marry the Indian Princess".
Beautifully made film, but; EVERY TIME he makes a fire, he eats fish and meat RAW. Why? EVERY TIME he has a fire, there is NO SUPPLY of firewood next to it. It takes A LOT of firewood to get through ONE night, never see any. Why? Film makers have NO CLUE about outdoor life.
