USVI-On-Line

For anyone that happened to read or watch INTO THE WILD...

What'd ya think?? Wow, I watched the movie a few days ago and for some reason when my mind is free and not occupied with daily stuff; I find myself thinking of this story.

A tragedy for sure and I teeter on the thought of his commiting suicide. Anyone else think like that?

LOVE the soundtrack by Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam...I had the CD way before I watched the movie. Hard Sun is a GREAT song!
Now I have to buy the book and read that too. A bit backwards BUT that's how "it's" got a hold on me


Kathy

I heard it's a good movie. With Sean Penn involved I would expect it to be good. I LOVE "Hard Sun". For some reason it gets to me every time I hear it. It's a different sound for Vedder but it's awesome!!

I read and really liked the book but can't help but think he was perhaps having a mental breakdown. Schizophrenia often presents at that age and though he may not have suffered that he clearly had some derangement of thought.

If nothing else it is one of those books that really holds your attention. I'll have to see the movie to see where it differs.

OK, I read the book and saw the movie. Both were pretty good productions. I'm a Krachaher[sp?] fan. Anyway, Mrs. JT says that she felt bad for the guy in the movie. But not so much in the book.
One of our best friend says he felt bad for the guy in the book, but not in the movie.
Me? I think the guy did a hit of acid in college. Never saw his shoe laces again. I felt bad for his sister though.

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I tend to watch the movie instead of the book, wierd I know, but I have less patience for reading more than a magazine these days and the "visual" helps

flipflop- I did read an article that suggested that Christopher may had schizophrenia which is an interesting thought. For sure he was challenged with his thought process. Anyone in their right mind would just wait for the river's water level and speed to slow down a bit into the Summer months AND how 'bout trying to hike aways along the river to perhaps a better area to cross. He was under airline traffic routes...why not build a line around the bus and set it ablaze.
Seems as though there were other options that would have worked??

JT- I certainly felt bad for Chris and his family. I am interested in seeing if my feelings change any after reading the book!

wwwt-Please do let us know what you think of the movie compared to the book. Unlike myself, my sister is the avid reader and always thinks the book is better.

Did he "punish" himself for killing the caribou?? Why only a bag of rice?? Why NO map?? There are sooo many questions to this story.

bevm- the whole soundtrack is kinda dark and feels a bit lonely, so Eddie's voice is perfect for the sound! The lyrics to Society are kinda "haunting" too.

Take care,
Kathy

Bev, I like the song "Hard Sun", too. It was originally done in 1989 by a group called Indio. Their lead guitarist was Gordon Peterson, who wrote the song, and was also Peter Gabriel's long time guitarist. I guess because I've listened to the original for so many years, I like it better then Vedder's version.

Kathyzhere, I felt bad for everybody involved,too. I just have a never ending sick sense of humour. I also thought the movie did a great job with the book.

wishwewerethere, "Under the Banner of Heaven" had a huge influence on me. It was given to me by a close friend that walked/ran from his family's religion when he was a teenager. Also, "Into Thin Air" made me wonder why people want to go and trash Mt. Everest?

I thought it was a good book (I am a big fan of the author) but was so upset by it.

Like others, I couldn't help feeling there was an underlying mental condition.

Much to my surprise, I couldn't put Under the Banner of Heaven down. In fact, Hubs and I were just talking about the book when the TX thing hit the news.

I've always wanted to do the STJ version... hunting wild goats and eating raw Callaloo until the oxalic acid seizes my joints. Left alone and unable to feed myself on Peter Bay.

Cheers, RickG

...where you would get bonked on the head by a falling coconut only to awake to a pelican sitting on your head

I read the book years ago, and also saw the movie at the theater. I waffle on my feelings about Christopher....on one hand, I respect his need to lead a simple life, and experience the world in that way. On the other hand, I feel he was a bit "arrogant", if that's the right word. Had that teenager's sense that nothing bad would happen to him. Which, in a way, borderd on grandiose...certainly there could have been some mental issues.

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I couldn't help but think of Timothy Treadwell (the guy that "lived with the bears" in Alaska until he was killed by one). Anyone see that documentary? I just saw some similarities in the personalities of these individuals. Anyone else's thoughts go there?

To me, there is a difference between a person who makes a decision to separate from society and live a natural or solitary life and does so in a deliberate and organized manner. I saw Candless (like Treadwell) as someone who seemed driven by different forces, had something of a disconnect from reality, and went about their choice in a disorganized and somewhat irrational manner, ultimately leading to their end. I tend to agree with those that mentioned some mental instability playing a part.

In any case, it was a fascinating story. I enjoyed it as much as Into Thin Air.

Hiya Vicki,

I only saw a short spot on 20/20 or 60 Minutes about that "grizzly guy" Treadwell. I have often thought of checking out the doc though and probably will for sure now that we're here mentioning it.

Anyway, my 1st impression was that he surely "wasn't all there". You'd be teetering on the edge living as close to those beautiful creatures as he was. He clearly had no boundaries, or in my opinion, respect for their territory.

I totally agree with your thoughts.

Have you ever known or met a person that you can just feel they are not long for this world? Treadwell felt like that to me.

Kathy

I saw the Grizzy Man documentary and agree there are definatley some similarities between the two men.

The documentary was very disturbing, especially when his girlfriend is so clearly upset about their safety (rightly so) and he either can't or won't process her concerns.