Return To The Wild
The documentary Return to the Wild debates the two very different argued reasons of why Chris McCandless went into the wild. The writers choose to uncover the dark secrets of the McCandless family and to reveal the truth as to why Chris travelled into the Alaskan wilderness. The documentary adopts an intense tone in the beginning that shifts to a more light hearted attitude throughout the second half of the film using symbolism, cinematography, audio, and various interviews in order to explain to the viewers the grim childhood McCandless experienced and events that led him into the barren wilderness of Alaska. The film appeals to the viewer's sympathies by showing multiple shots displaying the dreary Alaskan tundra. Return to the Wild opens by showing the light coming through the shadows of trees which symbolizes truth being revealed similarly to how the truth is being revealed through this documentary. The snow that is covering the ground radiates a cold and bleak feeling throughout the audience. The
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heavy beat of the drums in the background paired with the slow tempo of the guitar strums gives off a solemn attitude. The filmmakers combine those elements with sounds of snow falling and wind whipping in the background in order to present an unsettling and depressing emotion to the viewers. The harsh empathy that is conveyed in the beginning sets the tone that is going to be produced throughout the entire documentary. Throughout the film, two sides of the story are presented. The filmmakers acknowledge both sides in order to offer different views. Walt and Billie McCandless are interviewed stating that they are not sure why Chris decided to trek through Alaska. At the same time, Carine McCandless and two of her half-sisters are also interviewed claiming that both families grew up in a violent household with Walt being the victimizer. As both sides are presented, the viewers are able to observe that the filmmakers are not biased and are open to making their own opinions.
Credibility is established over the duration of the documentary.
The three sisters, presumably at different locations and different times all similarly recall the violence that occurred in their different households with Walt. Furthermore, Carine McCandless recollects memories of Chris’ mother Billie telling Chris quite often as he was growing up that the abuse placed on her was a result of him being born (18:25). In director Sean Penn’s film based off of the book Into the Wild, an almost identical scene to what Carine describes unfolds with Walt throwing Billie onto the bed and Billie telling Chris that if he hadn’t been born she would not have stayed with Walt. Likewise, the documentary highlights a restraining order issued on St. Patrick’s day, which hints that alcohol may be a factor in the abuse. The restraining order was placed upon Walt McCandless by Chris’ stepmother. This information shows that there is truth presented through each of the sisters’
argument.
Although many people thought Chris McCandless grew up as a rich kid who despised his parent’s money, the documentary Return to the Wild changes people's perspectives of Chris McCandless. The documentary paints him as a misunderstood boy who was blamed for the violence brought upon his mother during his childhood. The documentary further explains why Chris McCandless ventured into the wild and never returned using symbolism, cinematography, audio, and various interviews.
heavy beat of the drums in the background paired with the slow tempo of the guitar strums gives off a solemn attitude. The filmmakers combine those elements with sounds of snow falling and wind whipping in the background in order to present an unsettling and depressing emotion to the viewers. The harsh empathy that is conveyed in the beginning sets the tone that is going to be produced throughout the entire documentary. Throughout the film, two sides of the story are presented. The filmmakers acknowledge both sides in order to offer different views. Walt and Billie McCandless are interviewed stating that they are not sure why Chris decided to trek through Alaska. At the same time, Carine McCandless and two of her half-sisters are also interviewed claiming that both families grew up in a violent household with Walt being the victimizer. As both sides are presented, the viewers are able to observe that the filmmakers are not biased and are open to making their own opinions.
Credibility is established over the duration of the documentary.
The three sisters, presumably at different locations and different times all similarly recall the violence that occurred in their different households with Walt. Furthermore, Carine McCandless recollects memories of Chris’ mother Billie telling Chris quite often as he was growing up that the abuse placed on her was a result of him being born (18:25). In director Sean Penn’s film based off of the book Into the Wild, an almost identical scene to what Carine describes unfolds with Walt throwing Billie onto the bed and Billie telling Chris that if he hadn’t been born she would not have stayed with Walt. Likewise, the documentary highlights a restraining order issued on St. Patrick’s day, which hints that alcohol may be a factor in the abuse. The restraining order was placed upon Walt McCandless by Chris’ stepmother. This information shows that there is truth presented through each of the sisters’
argument.
Although many people thought Chris McCandless grew up as a rich kid who despised his parent’s money, the documentary Return to the Wild changes people's perspectives of Chris McCandless. The documentary paints him as a misunderstood boy who was blamed for the violence brought upon his mother during his childhood. The documentary further explains why Chris McCandless ventured into the wild and never returned using symbolism, cinematography, audio, and various interviews.