The Survival Movie Series begins with one of the most well-known survival films: Jeremiah Johnson. It hooks you in the first few minutes with the promise of freedom and adventure, then spends the next two hours grinding the main character, Jeremiah Johnson, down with one hard truth after another: survival can be really difficult.
A man heads into the mountains to live free. No plan. No real skills. Just determination and a rifle. What he gets is a relentless series of tests and lessons—about the land, about solitude, and about the cost of learning too late. For anyone who has ever daydreamed about bugging out in a disaster or just leaving it all behind, this film offers some valuable lessons wrapped in buckskin and wilderness.
TL;DR: Jeremiah Johnson (1972) is more than a western—it’s a tough, realistic survival story that shows what happens when grit meets the unforgiving wilderness.
Watch the Original Trailer for Jeremiah Johnson
Quick Look at What You’ll Learn
Why I Like This Movie
It’s one of the first movies I remember watching that made heading out into the woods seem exciting and something to actually consider. Just head on up into the Sierras and figure it out.
I also like it because it has that old-school pacing and grit. My 82-year-old father watches old black-and-white westerns and cop shows—this probably hits a bit of nostalgia for me from a simpler time when life was ahead of me.
Jeremiah Johnson is one of the reasons I love camping and the outdoors. It’s why I enjoyed the Boy Scouts and the infantry. And it’s one of the reasons I enjoy living in the woods now.
Preparedness Lesson
From a modern-day preparedness perspective, some people consider bugging out to a national forest or remote area. And if things get bad enough in your PACE plan (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency), you might find yourself forced to do just that. For most, though, that’s not realistic—because it will only happen as a last resort. Why, because most people know they’ll die if they try to survive by living off the land.
Jeremiah Johnson (1972) shows what it really looks like in a society without modern conveniences. There’s no tech to answer questions or point you in the right direction. No YouTube tutorials. No freeze-dried meals. Just you, the wilderness, and whatever knowledge or grit you bring with you.
Let’s Talk:
- What stood out to you most in this movie?
- Were there any takeaways that relate to modern times?
- What did he get right, what did he do wrong?
Your thoughts matter. Scroll to the bottom and leave a comment. I’ll be updating this article based on real feedback from readers like you—no fluff, no filler, just honest takeaways.
Where to Watch Jeremiah Johnson (1972) Online
Disclaimer: These Amazon links are affiliate links. If you purchase or rent through them, it helps support the site at no extra cost to you.
Want to watch or rewatch Jeremiah Johnson? Here are your options:
I keep it simple—Amazon and Apple TV work, and I know they’re reliable. If you’ve got another safe way to watch it, just be smart about it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah Johnson
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Who’s in the cast of Jeremiah Johnson?
Robert Redford plays Jeremiah. Also featured: Will Geer (Hatchet Jack), Stefan Gierasch (Del Gue), and Matt Clark (Qualen). Co-written by John Milius (Apocalypse Now). The film was directed by Sydney Pollack, who later won an Oscar. Redford did too.
Full Cast on IMDb
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Is there a book about Jeremiah Johnson?
Yes. The story was inspired by Vardis Fisher’s novel Mountain Man, which the film is loosely based on.
Buy Mountain Man by Vardis Fisher on Amazon (Affiliate)
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Where was Jeremiah Johnson filmed?
Filmed in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, including scenes in Zion National Park and Ashley National Forest.
Filming details on Wikipedia
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How did Jeremiah Johnson die?
The film doesn’t show his death. In legend, the real-life figure he’s loosely based on (John “Liver-Eating” Johnston) lived into old age and died in 1900.
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Is Jeremiah Johnson a true story?
Not exactly. It’s inspired by stories about John “Liver-Eating” Johnston, but most of the film is fictionalized.
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What rifle does Jeremiah Johnson use?
A Hawken rifle is iconic among mountain men of the era. It’s a .50 caliber muzzleloader and one of the most reliable rifles of the frontier.
Replica Hawken .50 Caliber – Muzzle Loaders
Next Steps
Have a great movie night with Jeremiah Johnson. Then jump into the comments below and post your thoughts. Doesn’t matter if it’s one sentence or a full breakdown—I want to hear what you got out of it.
Let’s beat lazy AI content with something it can’t fake: real experience, real opinions, and the perspective of people who have a good idea about preparedness.
Additional Resources
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