The true story behind the revenant, as told in 1939. Montanas kootenai river swallowed up academy awardwinning actress meryl. Revenant set in montana, but mostly filmed in canada the only shots on screen actually filmed in the treasure state occurred on kootenai. Inside the revenant, new movie about 1823 grizzly bear. Inside the revenant, new movie about 1823 grizzly bear mauling of mountain man hugh glass new hollywood movie has a libbytroy connection by dawn ballou, december 12, 2015. But youll love them just as much for whats outside, because 65 select guest rooms have private balconies with a gorgeous view of the kootenai river or choose from the 36 larger rooms in the kootenai falls lodge expansion. How to reach montanas hidden kootenai falls swinging. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is best used from june until september. Hiking trails and natural scenic wonders such as kootenai falls, yaak falls, and ross creek cedars are all just minutes away. Over the falls the waterfall scene was filled at kootenai falls on the kootenai river near libby, montana, northwest montana.
Kootenai falls is the largest undammed falls in the state and a major attraction to those traveling through the area. It is possible to take this trail all the way to kootenai falls and the famed swinging bridge. Oscar force the revenant shot near libby flathead beacon. If there were ever a true story ripe for big screen treatment, its that of hugh glass, a 19th century trapper who traveled 1,500 miles through the wilderness in pursuit of vengeance against the. Smith and inarritu is based in part on michael punkes 2002 novel of the same name, describing frontiersman hugh glasss experiences in 1823. Start by parking at the kootenai river historical marker, which commemorates the kootenai people and records their struggles with the neighboring blackfeet and white settlers.
Location scouts reportedly searched all over north america for an epic river backdrop, finally settling on kootenai falls near libby. News december 2015 inside the revenant, new movie about 1823 grizzly bear mauling of mountain man hugh glass. The revenant opens in select theaters on christmas and. The falls are made up of a series of small drops totaling 55 feet in height, with the tallest individual sections standing about 30 feet alone. From the bridge you can see the rapids of the kootenai river and the kootenai falls farther down. Officially released for private showings on december 25, 2015, the film had a wide released on january 8, 2015. The kootenay river is defined by rocky uplands and steep mountains, and there is relatively little flat land in the watershed.
Its since been rebuilt with a stronger foundation and is not protected by the libby dam from future. The revenant is based in montana but filmed basically. Montanas kootenai river swallowed up academy awardwinning actress meryl streep in the river wild, a stunt double for leonardo dicaprio tumbled down kootenai falls in the revenant, and forrest gump ran through glacier national park. Jul 26, 2018 the kootenai swinging bridge trail is a short, milelong hike that leads to the beautiful kootenai falls. Revenant set in montana, but mostly filmed in canada. Most of the reasonably level terrain lies in the narrow kootenay river valley from bonners ferry to kootenay lake and in parts of the rocky mountain trench from canal flats to lake koocanusa. In canada, filming took place in calgary and fortress mountain in alberta, in kananaskis country west of calgary, the badlands near drumheller, and at squamish and mammoth studios, burnaby, in british columbia. Highway 2 between libby and troy, is a scenic attraction not to be missed. Yvonne hill, who owns the sandman motel where the revenant stunt crew spent much of last july while some filming for the movie was completed on the kootenai river, said a stunt double for academy awardwinning actor leonardo dicaprio. However, the last part of the trail once you get near the falls may not be appropriate for bicycling. The filming locations of the revenant capture the splendor of an epic landscape, and also the tough conditions of survival and filming in such a frigid environment. A vast portion of revenant was filmed in the vast kananaskis country in the canadian rockies.
This moderately easy hike is a great way to experience kootenai national forest and the beautiful kootenai falls. I might have gotten a better photo in getting closer, but with the amount of water going down river i didnt think it. The falls can also be seen in the movies the river wild and the revenant kootenai falls is accessed via short dirt trail from the parking lot on highway two between troy and libby. This is the area where many scenes from the river wild were filmed. River view rooms have been freshly renovated in 2018. Now we move to the kootenai falls near libby in montana, usa. Inspired by true events, the revenant follows the story of legendary explorer hugh glass dicaprio on his quest for survival and justice. Kootenai falls, one of the largest freeflowing waterfalls in the northwest u. The bridge was originally created to help the forest service access the area across the river to help fight forest fires in 1984, a flood ripped through the area and tore out the original bridge.
The revenant is a 2015 american epic adventure drama film directed by alejandro gonzalez inarritu. This scene sequence was filmed at kootenai falls on the kootenai river between libby and troy, montana. This weekend is the oscars, and the revenant along with its star leonardo dicaprio. Smith and inarritu is based in part on michael punkes 2002 novel of the same name, describing frontiersman hugh glasss. Trapping beaver, they contend daily with the threat of indian tribes turned warlike over the white mens encroachment on their land, and other. Most of the revenant was filmed in the canadian rockies with the exception of the waterfall scene that was filmed on kootenai falls between troy and libby, montana definitely not on the great plains. The kootenai river penetrates a canyon and flows over kootenai falls.
The kootenai river swallowed up academy awardwinning actress meryl streep in the river wild, a stunt double for leonardo dicaprio tumbled down kootenai falls in the revenant, and forrest gump s brother ran through glacier national park. Picnic areas and rest rooms are available near the parking area. Numerous hiking trails, picnic areas and river access are all available. It gets a bit dicey above the falls and if you do take your bike that far, you may need to walk it or even pack it. A century of filmmaking puts montana in the spotlight. Kootenai falls near libby, montana, us an injured glass ends up in some rapids and a waterfall in the film in a bid to escape from the arikara native americans.
I had to drive over to libby yesterday to sell a bike i wasnt using and decided to stop at kootenai falls on the way back. A century of filmmaking puts montana in the spotlight tgif. Now a student at north idaho college in coeur dalene, schwindt has visited. A novel of revenge by michael punke from amazons fiction. Get directions, maps, and traffic for kootenai falls, mt. Anyway, we stumbled upon the waterfall that is in that movie, kootenai falls. The waterfall itself is pretty cool, wide, lots of water, very blue. Inside the revenant, new movie about 1823 grizzly bear mauling. Yvonne hill, who owns the sandman motel where the revenant stunt crew spent much of last july while some filming for the movie was completed on the kootenai river, said a stunt double for. The revenant, we recommend the original thrilling novel by michael punke in which the film. The 11 months of shooting was notoriously complicated.
The kootenai falls offer a perfect day trip for the entire family. The river the waterfall scene was filled at kootenai falls on the kootenai river near libby, montana, northwest montana. The raft flip and helicopter rescue below kootenai falls. Kootenai falls was recently made famous as the setting for a swimming scene in the 2015 movie the revenant, but it is known among boaters as a great spot to park and huck when the flows are right. Meryl streep was seen frequently leaving the venture inn where she was staying in a white mercedes and waving at passing folks. The incredible filming locations of the revenant the telegraph.
The revenant has been nominated for a dozen oscars at next months academy awards, including best picture and best cinematography. Kootenai falls, the largest undammed falls in montana, served as the setting for the 1994 film river wild starring meryl streep, but it. The revenant is ultimately a tale of servival grounded in an awe for both the majestic strength of nature and for man resolution to stay alive in the face of its raw power. Because the various waterfalls along the missouri river in great falls have been largely dewatered, kootenai falls is currently the largest waterfall in montana by volume. Kootenai falls swinging bridge, libby montana duration. Explore kootenai falls, kootenai river historical marker. A foggy morning at kootenai falls, montana on vimeo. Watch the revenant based in part on michael punkes book of the. The scenes in the waterfall were filmed at the kootenai falls near libby. Birds eye view of the revenant starring leonardo dicaprio. Dec 20, 2015 oscar force the revenant shot near libby academy awardwinning cinematographer selected kootenai falls for epic river scene. Revenants reallife landscapes used in the oscarnominated movie. Shot in montana by brian dambrosio riverbend publishing.
The kootenai river swallowed up academy awardwinning actress meryl streep in the river wild, a stunt double for leonardo dicaprio tumbled down kootenai falls in the revenant, and forrest gumps brother ran through glacier national park. The revenant has more ties to montana than the relatively brief screen time that came from the kootenai falls shoot. Crew members shoot a scene for the oscarwinner feature film the revenant at kootenai falls. Being one of the largest untamed waterfalls in the northwest, it is clear why the falls and location scouting for feature film the revenant. The only shots on screen actually filmed in the treasure state occurred on kootenai falls in the libby area. Kootenai river, the falls, t he revenant jim honan. Keeping with true northwest montana style, the area has no guide rails or paved paths next to the river, giving visitors a natural view of the falls.
We visited kootenai falls and the swinging bridge across the river for the first time this year. Behind the river safety that went into filming the revenant the. The kootenai falls trail will show you a side of montana you. The film, starring leonardo dicaprio as american frontiersman hugh glass, who sets out for revenge after being left for dead following a bear attack, is already the stuff of legend. Kootenai falls on the kootenai river, adjacent to u. The scene is truly breathtaking and has been used in several movies, including the revenant and the river wild. Jan 18, 2017 im sure you are familiar maybe not seen, but familiar with leonardo dicaprios movie the revenant. The revenant is based in montana but filmed basically everywhere else this weekend is the oscars, and the revenant along with its star leonardo dicaprio are poised to bring home some serious awards. Filming was done almost exclusively on the whitewater rapids of the kootenai river which was named after the kootenai indians and kootenai falls. Mens journal has published an article about the upcoming hollywood movie the revenant which will be released on january 8, 2016. Libbys ties to oscarwinning revenant include accusation stuntman was injured. Grizzly bear attack from the trailer for the movie the revenant.
Kootenai falls, montana, united states world waterfall database. After parking in the lot, one path leads to the falls overlook and in the opposite direction, the path leads to the swinging bridge. The updates include new plush carpet, paint and wall coverings, modern furniture, energy efficient lighting, draperies, larger refrigerators. The audience is given the perspective mostly of hugh glass, the assumed protagonist, but not necessarily the hero. Birds eye of big sky was initially asked to scout locations for the feature film at kootenai falls in libby, montana. It was featured in major films including revenant and river wild starring meryl streep and kevin bacon. The only cameo of the big sky state in the film is a brief scene shot near libby. Over the falls this scene sequence was filmed at kootenai falls on the kootenai river between libby and troy, montana. Feb 29, 2016 the incredible filming locations for the revenant. Kootenai falls swinging bridge northwest travel magazine.
A dramatic sequence was shot at the kootenai falls near libby, montana. This place is situated in lincoln county, montana, united states, its geographical coordinates are 48 26 53 north, 115 46 54 west and its original name with diacritics is kootenai falls. Each montana film in the book earns its own writeup with littleknown facts. Offensive comic book characters that turned many heads. Jan 15, 2016 the beautiful kootenai falls and swinging bridge area between troy and libby montana. The scenes in the waterfall were filmed at the kootenai falls. Be sure to make time to visit kootenai river falls and the swing bridge located just 9 miles west of us. Incredible high water at kootenai falls near libby, montana mt duration. Im sure you are familiar maybe not seen, but familiar with leonardo dicaprios movie the revenant. Behind the river safety that went into filming the revenant. Included are films made in libby, lakes, streams and rivers, the local shooting range, parks, the museum, the local microbrewery, the koocanusa dam, and kootenai falls swinging bridge.
I return every year for the car show in august and usually make a visit to the falls and ross creek cedars. Libby, montana, usa waterfall scene at kootenai falls calgary, alberta, canada kananaskis country, alberta, canada burnaby, british columbia, canada san francisco peaks, arizona, usa white mountains, arizona, usa. Daniel mitchell not only is it one of our states easiest hikes, but theres stunning scenery around every corner. If there were ever a true story ripe for big screen treatment, its that of hugh glass, a 19th century trapper who traveled 1,500 miles through the wilderness in pursuit of vengeance against the men who left him for dead after he was mauled by a bear. Behind the river safety that went into filming the revenant friday february 12, 2016. Another movie that used the kootenai river and falls was the river wild, starring kevin bacon and meryl streep. Jan 11, 2016 alberta wasnt the only canadian province to house the production of the revenant. The movie the river wild with merrill streep and kevin bacon was filmed there as well as the revenant with leonardo dicaprio. Check flight prices and hotel availability for your visit. Libbys ties to oscarwinning revenant include accusation. The calm river suddenly gathers momentum surging first through china rapids and then over kootenai falls, dropping 90 feet in less than a mile. In the summer the parking lot is often full and even has some vendors selling objects and food. If anything, you know that he is attacked by a bear like 4 times. Feb 09, 2016 1 min video of the beautifully rugged stretch of the kootenai river below the falls.
A novel of revenge by michael punke about the book the year is 1823, and the trappers of the rocky mountain fur company live a brutal frontier life. Movies filmed in kootenai country kootenai country is located in the extreme northwest corner of the state known as big sky country. Kootenai river trail in libby, mt, a hiking trail to kootenai. The beauty of montana has been profiled in landscape art for hundreds of years. Actually, montana snuck in the back door by way of its breathtaking scenery, albeit in the wrong part of the state. Oscar force the revenant shot near libby academy awardwinning cinematographer selected kootenai falls for epic river scene. Discover kootenai falls swinging bridge history of the kootenai falls swinging bridge.