
Return to the Wild: The Chris McCandless Story
Seen it?2014 | 60 min | Documentary, TV Movie
Why it’s a Monday Morning Maybe
With a box office flop and almost no lasting buzz, this one could be a tough watch. Keep your phone handy.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Tailor-made for fans of survival stories and anyone with a complicated family (so, everyone). The tension comes from simply getting through the next day. Family ties get tested in ways that ring true.
- The mood
- Eye-opening.
- The pace
- Well paced for a documentary, at 1 hr. Short enough for a weeknight.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
- Skip it if you want made-up drama tonight.
Twenty years ago, a young American hiker named Chris McCandless, the accomplished son of successful middle class parents, was found dead in an abandoned bus in the Alaskan wilderness and became the subject of the best-selling book and movie “Into the Wild.” Now, PBS retraces Chris McCandless’ steps to try to piece together why he severed all ties with his past, burnt or gave away all his money, changed his name and headed into the Denali Wilderness. McCandless' own letters, released for the first time, as well as new and surprising interviews, probe the mystery that still lies at the heart of a story that has become part of the American literary canon and compels so many to this day.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsNot counted
Not enough reviews on record yet
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsNot counted
Awards data unavailable, so this isn't counted
- Reach & staying powerWeak
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
Not enough engagement data yet
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Jeanmarie Condon, Ann Johnson Prum
- Carine McCandlessSelf
- Walt McCandlessSelf
- Billie McCandlessSelf
- Sean PennSelf
- Wayne WesterbergSelf
- Jan BurresSelf
- Shelly McCandlessSelf
- Shawna DowningSelf