THE REVENANT

A frontiersman named Hugh Glass on a fur trading expedition in the 1820s is on a quest for survival after being brutally mauled by a bear. —IMDB

THE REVENANT is brilliant! The word revenant is French for someone who has returned — especially from the dead. The title refers, in this case, to Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) who is left for dead in the wilderness after being mauled by a bear. He survives and starts out on a gruelling journey of survival to bring revenge to his “killer” — a metaphorical return from the “dead”. DiCaprio is absolutely outstanding in his role as Glass and will undoubtedly be an Oscar contender for best actor. He has already been nominated for best actor in the Golden Globe Awards. The movie has also been deservedly nominated for three other Golden Globe Awards.

The story is inspired by true events and is totally gripping, suspenseful, gruelling, and surprising. The cinematography is remarkable — all shot using natural lighting in forests, snow fields, mountains, rivers. The landscape is awe-inspiring.

The special effects are jaw-dropping, particularly the mauling of Glass by the bear at the beginning of the story. I’ve never seen anything like it on film before. You could hear the shock rippling through the audience in the cinema as they watched it. Everything that happens is incredibly realistic.

THE REVENANT is truly remarkable and must be seen on the big screen. The visuals, the soundtrack, everything works together to wonderful effect. Don’t miss it but make sure you have got a good stomach for the brutal, gut-churning violence of this amazing story. Despite being a touch too long, it’s powerful, intense, agonising, unbelievably good cinema. Don’t miss it!