Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu: The Revenant is an homage to film 'greats'

With its savage landscapes and tough filming conditions, survival drama The Revenant is an "homage to great filmmaking", Academy Award-winning director Alejandro González Iñárritu says. Inspired by real events, The Revenant tells the story of fur trapper Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio), who on an expedition in the 1820s was mauled by a bear and left for dead by his team. He survives and sets out for revenge on those who left him.

To give it an authentic feel, Iñárritu, who won the best director and best picture Oscars in 2015 for Birdman, cut back on special effects, using natural light such as sunlight and firelight. The Revenant was filmed in Canada and Argentina with cast and crew enduring tough outdoor locations and difficult weather conditions.

Will Poulter, who plays Glass' young apprentice Bridger, said that the conditions allowed for a more authentic performance. The film, which hits UK cinemas on Friday 15 January, looks set to be an Oscar frontrunner after picking up three awards at the Golden Globes on 10 January – best drama film, best drama actor for DiCaprio and best director for Iñárritu.