[at-l] A Walk in the Woods---

[nickpvb at bellsouth.net (Mark)]

They need the book because it was a best seller.  The name alone will sell lots of tickets.  If they really want the movie to follow the book they will need to find someone a shade less fit or plesant than John Belushi in Continental Divide.  I still think our trail will not be an important part of the movie.

Mark
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bror8588@aol.com 
  To: nickpvb@bellsouth.net ; at-l@backcountry.net 
  Sent: Monday, May 02, 2005 11:06 PM
  Subject: Re: [at-l] A Walk in the Woods---


  In a message dated 5/2/2005 10:47:19 PM Eastern Daylight Time, nickpvb@bellsouth.net writes:
    A movie could take the duo down the CDT, PCT or a fictional trail and still
    be able to Rediscover America.  All you really need are the main characters,
    camping gear, poor weather, some zany trail moments, trees, wildlife, funky
    trail towns, etc.

    If the movie were shot with these two stars, I am certain the references to
    the AT would be muted.  When Tom Hanks and a volleyball carried "Cast Away",
    did anyone care what Island they were on, or even the ocean??


  Why then, pray tell, would they need the book at all?  After all, two guys hiking has been a story told many times.  Heck, there are groups that hike together and that would make a better story line.  Five Alive was one group in 2003 that had a variety of characters, conflicts, differences of attitude, etc., and it could be made into a TV series (a la Friends) or a pilot as a movie.  

  Bryson's book had specific stuff about the AT and showed some of the A**es who go out for a weekend hike.  The Katz character (real or imagined) is a good foil for a duo.  The environmental stuff in Pennsylvania and the comments about the AT were positive in terms of environmental concerns.  The "throwing" or "trashing" was meant to be humorous but in reality probably exaggerated what actually does happen from one sector of the population that hikes without a knowledge of LNT.

  I for one hope that the film is made and that it makes a lot of money.  That would mean that many people would get to know the AT.  Also, perhaps WF could be the resource person for the film unless an ATC person or committee could advise.

  Skylander