
Return to the Wild: The Chris McCandless Story
2014 · Movie · PG · 60 min · ★ 6.2
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.
Also known as Return to the Wild
Where to watch
Streaming on PBS Documentaries.
1 hour to watch.
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Details
- Years
- 2014
- Release date
- 2014-11-25
- Language
- English
- Rated
- PG
- Runtime
- 60 min
- TMDB rating
- 6.2/10 (10 votes)
Themes
- wilderness
- dysfunctional family
- alaska
- nature
- death
- starvation
Cast & crew
- CM
Carine McCandless
as Herself
- WM
Walt McCandless
as Himself
- BM
Billie McCandless
as Herself

Sean Penn
as Himself
- WW
Wayne Westerberg
as Himself
- JB
Jan Burres
as Herself
- SM
Shelly McCandless
as Herself
- SD
Shawna Downing
as Herself
Directed by Ann Johnson Prum, Jeanmarie Condon