Takeaways
Hugh Glass's real-life story is even more incredible and badass than the portrayal in "The Revenant."
His resilience and determination are truly awe-inspiring.
Hugh Glass's survival skills and sheer willpower played a crucial role in his ability to overcome unimaginable challenges.
The story of Hugh Glass serves as a testament to the indomitable human spirit.
He never got his revenge.
"The Revenant" the gripping movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio, is based on the astonishing true story of Hugh Glass. While the film portrays his incredible ordeal, the real-life account of Hugh Glass is even more insane and awe-inspiring. From pirate adventures to surviving a brutal bear attack, Hugh's journey is nothing short of legendary.
A Pirate's Life
Hugh Glass was born to Scotch-Irish immigrant parents near Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 1783. In his early years, he led a life at sea until he was captured by the infamous French pirate Jean Lafitte. Given a choice between death or becoming a pirate, Glass opted for the latter, spending the next couple of years engaged in murderous pirating raids. Finally, he seized an opportunity to escape and swam ashore in Texas, only to face danger from the Caren Cowan Indians, who were rumored to be cannibals.
Living with the Pawnee
After surviving encounters with the Pawnee Indians and making his way to St. Louis, Hugh Glass entered the fur trade and became a mountain man. He responded to an advertisement by General William Henry Ashley, leading to a perilous fur trading venture that almost cost him his life during a battle with the REE Indians. Despite the odds, Glass survived and continued his journey, leading him to a fateful encounter with a ferocious bear.
The Grisly Bear Attack
As depicted in "The Revenant," Glass stumbled upon a bear's nest and was brutally mauled within inches of his life. His comrades arrived too late to save him from the bear's vicious attack. Severely injured, unable to see, speak, or move, Glass was presumed to be beyond saving. The remaining men made the tough decision to leave him behind, thinking he would not survive.
A Miraculous Will to Live
Contrary to expectations, Hugh Glass survived the night and decided he would not be left for dead. He mustered the willpower to crawl hundreds of miles through treacherous mountains to seek revenge on the men who abandoned him. Despite his broken and battered body, Glass relied on the survival skills he learned while living with the Pawnee.
An Incredible Struggle for Vengeance
During his incredible journey, Glass encountered hardships, including fending off wolves and even resorting to eating raw buffalo with maggots on his back. Despite these challenges, he pressed on relentlessly. Along the way, he encountered various Indian tribes, some hostile, but others extended their help and nursing him back to health.
The Hunt for Fitzgerald
Determined to seek vengeance on Fitzgerald, the man responsible for his suffering, Glass embarked on an arduous quest. Eventually, he found Fitzgerald at Fort Henry, only to learn that he had joined the US Army and was now protected from his revenge. This revelation brought Hugh Glass's incredible journey to an unexpected end.
The true story of Hugh Glass is a testament to the indomitable human spirit. From his tumultuous life as a pirate to surviving a harrowing bear attack and crawling hundreds of miles for vengeance, Glass's resilience and determination are awe-inspiring. While "The Revenant" captured parts of his incredible journey, the reality of Hugh Glass's life is even more astonishing and badass.
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"The Revenant" by Michael Punke