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Delve deeper into the mystery of Chris McCandless, whose story inspired Into the Wild.
A fresh look at the enigmatic story of a young American hiker named Chris McCandless, who was found dead in an abandoned bus in the Alaskan wilderness and became the subject of the best-selling Jon Krakauer book and Sean Penn-directed movie Into the Wild. Chris McCandless' own letters, released for the first time, as well as new and surprising interviews probe the mystery that still lies at the
A fresh look at the enigmatic story of a young American hiker named Chris McCandless, who was found dead in an abandoned bus in the Alaskan wilderness and became the subject of the best-selling Jon Krakauer book and Sean Penn-directed movie Into the Wild. Chris McCandless' own letters, released for the first time, as well as new and surprising interviews probe the mystery that still lies at the
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Photos from Return to the Wild
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The McCandless bus in Alaska.
Coneflower Studios
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Healy, Alaska as seen from a chopper.
PBS
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The abandoned bus where Chris McCandless lived and died in the Alaskan wilderness.
PBS
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The interior of the McCandless bus.
Coneflower Studios
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The area around the McCandless bus in Healy, Alaska.
PBS
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Carine McCandless in front of the bus where her brother, Chris McCandless, was found.
PBS
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This chopper transported the McCandless sisters and the program crew to the bus where Chris McCandless died.
PBS
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Northern Lights in Alaska.
Coneflower Studios
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An Alaskan moose.
Coneflower Studios
About the Show
Premiered November 2014
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.” 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.
Producers
- Lincoln Square Productions
- Coneflower Productions
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