Man in the Wilderness … Part 4: Ahab Arises

From the Count of Monte Cristo (1971):

Abbe Faria (Richard Harris) : “Here is your final lesson – do not commit
the crime for which you now serve the sentence. God said, “Vengeance is mine.”
Edmond Dantes (Jim Caviezel): “I don’t believe in God.”
Abbe Faria: “It doesn’t matter. He believes in you.”

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Ahab Rises

As Bass’s companions prepare to move on, a Native scout says some
Last Rites (?) or a Blessing (?) over Bass – then places a talisman (?)
around his neck.

MAN IN THE WILDERNESS a blessing

But let’s take a closer look at that Talisman …
Is that a Cross?

MAN IN THE WILDERNESS a blessing 2

Yep.

Meanwhile …

MAN IN THE WILDERNESS a message

MAN IN THE WILDERNESS a message 2

Yep.

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When Bass is ultimately deserted by this comrades
the only thing they leave him is …

MAN IN THE WILDERNESS the bible
… A Bible.

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The Arikara (“Rees”) Indians find Bass in his grave.

MAN IN THE WILDERNESS Arikara Blessing

He receives more Last Rites/Blessings – Native style.

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Then … miraculously, Bass eventually Rises from the/his grave …
from the dead.

MAN IN THE WILDERNESS Bass arises

Sound familiar?

MAN IN THE WILDERNESS Bass arises 2
Bass and the Bible

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Bass later discovers an uncommon use for the Bible …

MAN IN THE WILDERNESS Bible

It’s makes good kindling – to light his first fire.

MAN IN THE WILDERNESS Bible 2

Another metaphor?

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Meanwhile … Captain Ahab – I mean Captain Henry –
paces the Deck by night …

MAN IN THE WILDERNESS Ahab

MAN IN THE WILDERNESS Ahab 2

… while his men grumble about mutiny below deck
– I mean around the campfire.

MAN IN THE WILDERNESS the men 2

Where have we seen this before?

MAN IN THE WILDERNESS Moby Dick

MAN IN THE WILDERNESS Moby Dick 2

Yep.

MAN IN THE WILDERNESS Henry and Ahab
Captain Henry (Huston) / Captain Ahab (Gregory Peck)

And that scar …

MAN IN THE WILDERNESS the scar

Where might we have seen that before?

MAN IN THE WILDERNESS the scar 2

Just a coincidence, I’m sure.

MAN IN THE WILDERNESS harpoon
“From hell’s heart I stab at thee; for hate’s sake I spit my last breath at thee.”

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MAN IN THE WILDERNESS healing

While recuperating, Bass reads the Bible to a friend.
A time for healing, Spiritual Contemplation … and resolution.

He reads aloud these 2 passages:

 “If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.”
– Job 14:14

“For there is hope for a tree,
If it is cut down, that it will sprout again,
And that its tender shoots will not cease.
Though its root may grow old in the earth,
And its stump may die in the ground …”
– Job 14:7 -9

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Ultimately …

MAN IN THE WILDERNESS Harris - Bass - Glass

MAN IN THE WILDERNESS Huston - Henry - Ahab

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Will the circle be broken? or perpetuated?

You’ll have to watch it to find out.

MAN IN THE WILDERNESS

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Author: jcalberta

Howdy! I love Westerns. ... and the intent of MyFavoriteWesterns.com is to celebrate Western Movies/Film - old and new. This site will eventually show my top 30 favorite Westerns - or more. I will have original graphic work with regular updates. All this - and more ... Yee Haw ... !! - jcablerta / Moderator / Administrator

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