About The River Wild

The River Wild is an action and adventure film released in 1994. Directed by Curtis Hanson, the movie stars Meryl Streep, Kevin Bacon, and David Strathairn. The film follows a family who goes on a whitewater rafting trip in the Montana wilderness, only to encounter two dangerous criminals along the way.

Explore

• About
• Making / Production
• Actors
• Trivia / Interesting Facts
• Awards
• Quotes
• Music

About

In The River Wild, Gail Hartman (played by Meryl Streep) takes her husband Tom (David Strathairn), their son Roarke, and their dog Maggie on a rafting trip on the Salmon River. Gail, an experienced rafter, hopes the trip will help rebuild their fractured family relationships. However, their journey takes a dangerous turn when they encounter two escaped convicts, played by Kevin Bacon (Wade) and John C. Reilly (Terry), who force Gail to guide them through the treacherous rapids in order to escape the law.

As Gail uses her skills to navigate the river, a tense and thrilling cat-and-mouse chase ensues. The family must band together and outsmart the criminals in order to survive.

Making / Production

The River Wild was filmed on location in Montana and Oregon, showcasing the stunning natural beauty of the rivers and wilderness. The movie features several intense whitewater rafting sequences, which required a combination of professional stunt doubles and the actors themselves to perform the action-packed scenes. Director Curtis Hanson and the production team worked closely with river experts to ensure the safety of the cast and crew during filming.

Actors

• Meryl Streep as Gail Hartman - Streep delivers a compelling performance as a strong-willed and resourceful mother who must protect her family.
• Kevin Bacon as Wade - Bacon portrays the charismatic yet dangerous criminal who manipulates Gail into helping him.
• David Strathairn as Tom Hartman - Strathairn plays Gail's husband, who initially appears passive but ultimately shows his strength and determination.
• John C. Reilly as Terry - Reilly portrays Wade's unhinged partner, adding a touch of unpredictability to the film.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The River Wild was inspired by real-life river guide and expert Marypat Zehr. Zehr served as a consultant on the film, ensuring the accuracy of the rafting scenes.
• Meryl Streep learned how to paddle and navigate whitewater rapids for her role, showcasing her dedication to authenticity.
• The movie's suspenseful scenes were enhanced by the use of practical effects and real river locations, creating a sense of realism.

Awards

No notable awards were won by The River Wild.

Quotes

• "Rivers lead to places. We've both been running away for a long time." - Gail
• "You're not the only one who knows this river." - Gail
• "I'm not going to kill you, Gail. I'm not that kind of bad guy." - Wade

Music / Soundtrack

• The film's score was composed by Jerry Goldsmith, capturing the tension and adrenaline of the thrilling river sequences.
• The soundtrack also features songs by various artists, including the theme song "Hold On, Hold Out" by Jackson Browne.