It's already been established that The Revenant spreads too little story over too long a film, choosing to omit points of interest. But what's even worse is that it's arguably telling the wrong story. The real account of Hugh Glass is potentially a better narrative. It retains all of the exciting bits like the bear attack, his abandonment and his personal vendetta against Fitzgerald, but it extends the story into more fascinating territory. During Glass's journey, for example, he fashioned a raft and floated down the river, drove away wolves and wild animals and was actually gifted the bear hide on his back by friendly Native Americans. Upon finally making it back to Fort Kiowa, he found that Fitzgerald had left to join the United States army. Glass then travelled the whole way to Nebraska in order to confront Fitzgerald and retrieve a rifle that had been stolen from him, ultimately choosing to spare Fitzgerald's life. Not only that, but Glass then went on to marry a Pawnee woman and travel with Pawnee delegates to meet with US authorities, an act which many believed was due to his positive experiences with the tribe while struggling to survive. A little less focus on endless cruelty and ambiguity and The Revenant could have told a more complete and fulfilling tale.
