Into the Wild book and movie?

Question

Is the Book "Into the Wild", Very similar to the book?

Please explain the differences if they are very visible.

Answer 1

From what I have read about the book and the movie, the book is basically a lot of poems and journal entries... Sean Penn had to go out there and experience everything Christopher McCandles experienced himself in order to be able to write the screen play.  He went out and met everyone that was depicted in the movie.  I actually worked with a girl who used to know him, she said he was a very odd character.

I personally really loved the movie, it is an incredibly tragic story but uplifting and enlightening at the same time.  I highly recommend it!  

Answer 2

Yes - the Book "Into the Wild" IS very similar to the book.

Answer 3

The movie is very similar to the book. I have the same project and i watched the movie instead of reading the book. I got a 95%.

Answer 4

A lot of the major messages would be missed if you didn't read the book. The movie adds a lot of things and simplifies the theme and the attitudes of the characters, not to mention changing the names of a few from the book and on to the movie... it would be very embarrassing for you to answer a question asking for key characters and naming one not mentioned in the book... do you see my point? The kid above me saying that he didn't have to read it and got a 95% is just plain idiotic... You can not ensure yourself a very good grade based on someone else's performance, and on the exact project... I don't think so! The only time it's acceptable to watch the movie the book was made into was if you wanted to gain a sort of imagery from the book, or see the differences after you read it. I like to see the movie after to recheck how I comprehended things and see the directors take on the book... you know he had to read it!

Answer 5

The movie glosses over a lot stuff.  For instance that McCandless died walking distance from a hunting a lodge.  That's all in the book, as well as some good interviews.  Supertramp is idealized in the movie, made to seem like some sort of noble rebel - that's not the case.  He was an interesting guy, but he was arrogant and ignorant about his approach to his lifestyle.  Even the guys he idolized like Thoreau and London knew enough to actually train, and research, and properly prepare before setting out on their little natural adventures.  The book, while still biased in McCandless's favor, gives a better all around picture than the movie.  Penn's movie is just idealized rubbish with more emphasis placed on the beauty of nature than the story of an intelligent and disturbed young man.  Which is a shame.  Please read the book.